Sr Electrical Engineer - Substation

Role Overview

Senior Electrical Engineer (Substation) at Hill International. This role leads Project Management Consultant (PMC) oversight and delivery of an Airport Substation and Medium Voltage Network Modernization Project.

Company Overview

Hill International is a global program, project, and construction management firm with more than 4,400 professionals in over 100 offices worldwide. Hill provides program management, project management, construction management, project management oversight, advisory, facilities management, and consulting services across multiple market sectors. Engineering News-Record magazine recently ranked Hill as one of the largest program management firms in the world. Hill operates exclusively as a program, project, and construction management provider, focused on protecting client interests free of conflicts of interest. Hill International is part of GISI Consulting Group, a subsidiary of Global Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. (GISI).

Role Purpose

Lead PMC oversight and delivery of a new 34.5/13.8kV airport substation and Medium Voltage network modernization project. Ensure successful execution of all engineering, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning activities. Manage project performance, stakeholder coordination, technical governance, and compliance with regulatory, operational, and safety requirements while maintaining uninterrupted airport operations. Serve as the primary interface between client, contractors, regulatory authorities, and project stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Management

• Lead PMC activities for EPC/LSTK contractor execution of the airport substation and MV network modernization project.
• Manage project scope, schedule, cost, quality, safety, and stakeholder coordination.
• Review and approve project execution plans, design execution plans, procurement plans, and construction methodologies.
• Monitor project milestones, progress reporting, risk management, and contract compliance.
• Interface with Airport Operations, Engineering, IT, Cybersecurity, HSSE, SEC, Matarat, and external stakeholders.
• Chair weekly and monthly project review meetings.
• Ensure compliance with Hill International Quality, Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health Policies, Manuals, and Procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Project Director or line manager.

Engineering Management

• Manage and review all detailed engineering submissions at 60%, 90%, and IFC stages.
• Review FEED verification reports and ensure compliance with project objectives.
• Ensure compliance with SEC standards, Saudi Building Code, IEC, IEEE, NFPA, and airport operational requirements.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering reviews involving electrical, civil and structural, mechanical and HVAC, fire protection, communications, SCADA/ADMS, and cybersecurity systems.
• Review technical queries, design deviations, value engineering proposals, and constructability studies.

Electrical Systems Oversight

• Provide technical leadership for substation systems including 34.5kV metal-clad switchgear, 13.8kV metal-clad switchgear, busbar systems, protection and control systems, auxiliary AC/DC systems, battery banks and chargers, and station service transformers.
• Provide technical leadership for transformer systems including 30/40MVA 34.5/13.8kV power transformers, 20/26.6MVA 34.5/13.8kV power transformers, oil-filled distribution transformers, and dry-type distribution transformers.
• Provide technical leadership for distribution network systems including 34.5kV distribution loops, 13.8kV distribution loops, automated smart RMUs, underground duct banks, utility tunnel cable routing, and cable terminations and jointing.
• Provide technical leadership for LV systems including main distribution boards, automatic transfer schemes, emergency power systems, and UPS integration.

Power System Studies & Protection

• Review and approve ETAP studies, load flow analysis, short circuit analysis, arc flash studies, harmonic analysis, relay coordination studies, motor starting studies, and grounding studies.
• Validate protection philosophies and relay settings.
• Ensure system reliability and N-1 redundancy requirements are achieved.
• Review SCADA integration and operational control strategies.

Construction & Site Supervision

• Oversee site construction activities including substation buildings, transformers, RMUs, MV/LV cable installation, utility tunnel works, HDD crossings, duct banks, earthing systems, and fire protection systems.
• Ensure airport operations are maintained without disruption during construction.
• Manage outage planning, switching programs, and energization activities.
• Verify compliance with approved IFC drawings and method statements.

Testing, Commissioning & Energization

• Witness Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT).
• Witness Site Acceptance Tests (SAT).
• Review commissioning procedures and energization plans.
• Lead integrated testing of transformers, switchgear, protection relays, RMUs, SCADA systems, and communication networks.
• Ensure successful cutover and transition to operational systems.
• Coordinate with SEC and Airport Operations for energization approvals.

Risk & Stakeholder Management

• Maintain project risk register.
• Lead monthly risk workshops.
• Manage constructability reviews and interface management plans.
• Coordinate with SEC, National Grid, Airport Operations, IT and Cybersecurity, Airside Operations, utility authorities, consultants, and contractors.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Master's degree in Power Systems Engineering preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in electrical power infrastructure projects.
• Minimum 10 years in Project Management or PMC roles.
• Minimum 5 years in airport major projects.
• Professional certifications: Saudi Council of Engineers Registration required. PMP Certification preferred. PE/Chartered Engineer preferred.
• Experienced in 69kV/34.5kV/13.8kV substations.
• Experienced in airport electrical infrastructure.
• Experienced in SEC utility projects.
• Experienced in transmission and distribution systems.
• Experienced in SCADA and automation systems.
• Proven experience delivering EPC/LSTK substation projects above 34.5kV.

Skills & Competencies

Software

• ETAP
• AutoCAD
• BIM/Revit
• Primavera P6
• MS Project
• Power BI

Standards Knowledge

• SEC Standards (TMSS, SDCS, SDMS)
• IEC 60076
• IEC 62271
• IEEE 80
• IEEE 1584
• NFPA 70
• NFPA 72
• Saudi Building Code (SBC)
• ICAO Annex 14

Additional Information

• Hill International is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veteran/Disabled.
• This job description indicates the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions to be carried out as part of fulfilling this role. Various other duties as required.