Principal Engineer - Water

Role Overview

Principal Engineer – Water at WSP in the Middle East, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This senior technical role sits within the Transport & Infrastructure business unit and focuses on the design and delivery of large-scale water, hydrology, and wet utilities projects across Saudi Arabia.

Role Purpose

Lead the end-to-end design and delivery of major water infrastructure projects while providing technical leadership in hydrology, hydraulic modelling, and wet utilities design. Shape technical excellence, drive innovative approaches, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams on complex programmes across one of the region's most dynamic markets.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery

• Lead and oversee the end-to-end design and delivery of major water infrastructure projects, including potable water, stormwater drainage, foul sewerage, TSE/irrigation networks, and hydrological systems.
• Deliver high-quality technical outputs, including design reports, modelling outputs, specifications, drawings, tender documents, and engineering studies.
• Support project managers in planning, budgeting, risk management, and overall technical strategy for major programmes.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership in hydrology, hydraulic modelling, and wet utilities design in alignment with local authority standards and international best practices.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends in water engineering to integrate sustainable and innovative solutions.
• Drive quality assurance by ensuring adherence to internal quality management processes and health & safety standards.

Team & Stakeholder Management

• Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, ensuring seamless integration between civil, structural, environmental, transport, and other engineering disciplines.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers, promoting technical excellence and knowledge transfer within the team.
• Steer client engagement, presenting design solutions, providing subject-matter expertise, and ensuring superior stakeholder communication.

Regulatory & Authority Interface

• Guide authority submissions and interface with local authorities, ensuring compliance and timely approvals.
• Navigate the local regulatory landscape and maintain strong working relationships with local authorities.

Business Development

• Contribute to business development, including proposal preparation, bid support, technical presentations, and client relationship building.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related discipline (Master's degree preferred).
• 12–15+ years of experience in water infrastructure design, hydrology, or wet utilities engineering, preferably within an engineering consultancy.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale water or wet utilities projects specifically within KSA, with strong knowledge of relevant authority standards, manuals, and approval processes.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing multidisciplinary teams and overseeing complex infrastructure project delivery.

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced proficiency in hydrological and hydraulic modelling tools and software such as InfoWorks, EPANET, WaterGEMS, SewerGEMS, StormCAD, and Civil 3D.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, including client-facing leadership and presentation capabilities.
• Commitment to innovation, sustainable design, and continuous improvement.

Additional Information

• Flexible working arrangements available, including working from home, part-time options, and flexible start and finish times.
• Competitive pay with standard benefits including first-class medical cover, generous annual leave, and paid professional subscriptions.