Senior Mechanical Engineer (District cooling)

Hill International, Inc.; Dammam; On-site; SAR 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Hill International is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer specialized in district cooling for a major airport project. The role oversees design, review, and coordination of chilled water systems to ensure efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in line with international standards.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in mechanical engineering with district cooling, strong leadership, and excellent English communication skills to coordinate with diverse stakeholders across design and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of mechanical engineering experience with district cooling systems.
• Proven experience in large-scale infrastructure or airport projects.
• Strong knowledge of chilled water systems, HVAC design, and energy-efficient cooling technologies.
• Familiarity with ASHRAE and CIBSE standards and district cooling best practices.
• Experience in design review, system optimization, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design review and validation of district cooling systems, including plants, networks, and ETS.
• Ensure compliance with project specs, standards, and regulations.
• Coordinate with MEP, structural, and architectural teams to integrate cooling systems.
• Review and approve submittals, shop drawings, method statements, and material specs.
• Oversee hydraulic calculations, cooling load assessments, and energy efficiency optimization.
• Provide guidance on chillers, pumps, towers, and control systems.
• Identify design and operational risks and implement mitigations.
• Support value engineering to optimize cost and sustainability.
• Participate in design coordination meetings and liaise with utilities and operators.
• Review testing/commissioning plans to ensure performance meets design intent.
• Adhere to Hill International policies on Q/E/S/OH.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Stakeholder management

Leadership

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

The Senior Mechanical Engineer (District Cooling) will oversee the engineering design, review, and coordination of district cooling systems for the airport project under the Project Management Consultant (PMC). The role ensures efficient, reliable, and sustainable cooling solutions aligned with project requirements, international standards, and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design review and validation of district cooling systems, including chilled water plants, distribution networks, and energy transfer stations (ETS).
• Ensure compliance with project specifications, international standards, and local authority regulations.
• Coordinate with MEP, structural, and architectural teams to integrate district cooling systems within the project.
• Review and approve technical submittals, shop drawings, method statements, and material specifications.
• Oversee hydraulic calculations, cooling load assessments, and system optimization for energy efficiency.
• Provide technical guidance on plant equipment such as chillers, pumps, cooling towers, and control systems.
• Identify design and operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Support value engineering initiatives to optimize cost, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Participate in design coordination meetings and liaise with stakeholders, including utility providers and operators.
• Review testing and commissioning plans to ensure system performance meets design intent.
• Ensure adherence to Hill International’s Quality, Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Project Director or line manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum 15 years of experience in mechanical engineering, with strong expertise in district cooling systems.
• Proven experience in large-scale infrastructure or airport projects.
• Strong knowledge of chilled water systems, HVAC design, and energy-efficient cooling technologies.
• Familiarity with international standards (e.g., ASHRAE, CIBSE) and district cooling best practices.
• Experience in design review, system optimization, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

About Us

Hill International, with more than 4,400+ professionals in over 100 offices worldwide, provides program management, project management, construction management, project management oversight, advisory, facilities management, and other consulting services to clients in a variety of market sectors. Engineering News-Record magazine recently ranked Hill as one of the largest program management firms in the world. For more information on Hill, please visit our website at www.hillintl.com .

Hill is exclusively a program, project, and construction management provider, meaning we have one focus as a company: protecting client interests. Free of any potential conflicts, our entire business is geared towards helping clients achieve their desired outcomes. We are dedicated to exceeding expectations throughout the entire construction project lifecycle and adapt to the needs of each assignment to develop tailored approaches and solutions to meet those needs.

Hill is a GISI Consulting Group company, part of the Global Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. (GISI) family of companies. Learn more about GISI Consulting Group at www.gisiconsulting.com .

Hill International is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veteran/Disabled

Note: This job description is intended to provide an indication of the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions to be carried out as part of fulfilling the role mentioned in the job title. Various other duties as required.