Senior Engineer - SCADA & Technology

Role Overview

Senior Engineer - SCADA & Technology at WSP in the Middle East, based in Abu Dhabi.

Company Overview

WSP Middle East delivers infrastructure, water, utilities, and smart city projects throughout the UAE and wider Middle East. The Infrastructure team specializes in SCADA, Operational Technology, telecommunications, and smart infrastructure solutions.

Role Purpose

To deliver technical design, engineering solutions, and system architecture for SCADA, Operational Technology, telecommunications, and smart infrastructure projects. The role spans concept and master planning through detailed design and construction support, with responsibility for coordinating multidisciplinary interfaces and contributing to innovative and intelligent infrastructure systems.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Technical Documentation

• Deliver engineering solutions, analysis, specifications, and technical documentation for infrastructure projects involving SCADA, telecommunications, and smart technology systems.
• Produce detailed engineering calculations, reports, drawings, specifications, and technical submissions.
• Support the development of SCADA design principles, system architectures, and engineering standards across project phases.
• Prepare and coordinate SCADA design packages, including architecture diagrams, network designs, control centre layouts, interface definitions, and cybersecurity, firewall, and network segmentation designs.
• Design and coordinate Technology, Telecommunications, and SCADA systems for utility networks, water treatment plants, pumping stations, reservoirs, district cooling systems, smart city developments, and transportation and mobility infrastructure.
• Develop SCADA and Operational Technology solutions for electrical and water infrastructure networks.

Technology & Innovation

• Remain current with evolving technologies and industry trends related to SCADA, Operational Technology, IoT, automation, and smart infrastructure.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and support their application within projects, including AI-enabled operational analytics, edge computing solutions, cloud-enabled monitoring platforms, and large-scale IoT deployments.
• Support the integration of distributed field assets, including smart meters, sensors, IoT devices, EV charging systems, smart lighting systems, and utility monitoring equipment.
• Contribute to Smart City and Digital Infrastructure initiatives involving utility monitoring, automation, and operational optimisation.

Coordination & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including water, electrical, mechanical, civil, ICT, and smart city specialists.
• Participate in client meetings, workshops, and technical presentations.
• Support the development of engineering solutions and provide technical advice to clients and stakeholders.
• Attend progress meetings and coordinate with clients, contractors, consultants, and authorities.

Standards & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with local authority requirements, client standards, industry codes, and project specifications.
• Prepare and support authority submissions and approval documentation.
• Ensure that all designs comply with applicable international and local standards.
• Follow QA/QC procedures and contribute to the continuous improvement of project deliverables.

Project Delivery & Support

• Support the design development process from concept and master planning stages through detailed design and construction support.
• Contribute to the preparation of project schedules, resource forecasts, and technical work plans.
• Review contractor shop drawings, technical submittals, and material submissions during construction stages.
• Support construction supervision teams with technical clarifications and design reviews where required.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide technical guidance and support to graduate and junior engineers.
• Assist in maintaining SCADA design templates, technical standards, and engineering best practices.

Qualifications & Experience

• BEng/BSc (Hons) in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Typically 8–12 years of post-graduate experience, with significant experience in SCADA, Operational Technology, telecommunications, and smart infrastructure projects.
• Working towards or holding membership with a relevant professional institution.
• Proven experience delivering technology and SCADA systems for major infrastructure, water, utilities, transportation, or smart city projects.
• Experience preparing authority approval documentation in accordance with UAE regulatory requirements.
• Experience delivering projects within the UAE and broader Middle East region is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of SCADA system architecture, network design, communications protocols, and control systems integration.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols and standards, including Modbus, DNP3, IEC 60870-5-104, IEC 61850, MQTT, OPC UA, and related technologies.
• Knowledge of routing and switching technologies, fibre optic networks, structured cabling, and telecommunications transmission systems.
• Experience with water and electrical instrumentation systems.
• Familiarity with 4G/5G communications technologies and wireless network applications.
• Experience working with Tunnel Management Systems and integrated transportation technologies is advantageous.
• Knowledge of smart energy, smart lighting, IoT, and smart utility technologies.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles applicable to SCADA and Operational Technology environments.
• Familiarity with Civil 3D, Navisworks, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong communication, coordination, and stakeholder management skills.