Project Manager - KSA

Role Overview

Project Manager - KSA with Smiths Group. Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions. The role is based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Company Overview

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group, operates across 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues. The company has over 40 years of experience in advances in safety and security, providing threat detection and screening solutions for aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security markets.

Role Purpose

Deliver security screening technology projects in full, to time and cost, meeting all contractual commitments while ensuring total customer satisfaction, financial targets and alignment with Corporate Values. Oversee projects from beginning to end, managing quality, cost, schedule, risk and scope to exceed stakeholder and customer expectations in a 24/7 operational airport environment.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery & Planning

• Deliver projects in full, to time and cost, meeting all contractual responsibilities.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, work breakdown structures, look-ahead schedules, resource plans, procurement trackers, cost reports and site execution plans.
• Prepare scheduled and necessary updates of construction and site activities by analyzing manpower and equipment required to meet project milestones and objectives.
• Develop bid proposals, business plans, program scope and program management plans, program operating budgets and financial terms and conditions of contract.
• Lead delivery across a range of projects ensuring personnel follow essential disciplines associated with HSSE, client service, project delivery and contractual obligations in line with SDME management standards.
• Lead equipment delivery to site and completion of MIR activities and approval.
• Coordinate logistics for delivery, staging, lifting, customs clearance where applicable, storage and movement of heavy screening equipment into operational airport areas.

Budget, Schedule & Controls

• Maintain budgets, scheduling and project database oversight.
• Report regularly to project or programme manager to keep them constantly informed of job progress, plans and problems that could significantly affect costs or schedules.
• Prepare reports per the PMO Reporting Framework to define overall project status, percentage complete, earned value, delays, issues, risks, duration to complete and other key project metrics.
• Develop and measure criteria to monitor program schedules.
• Report on Program KPIs, objectives and milestones achievement.
• Track and report on overall program financials to senior management and customers on a regular basis.
• Maintain RAID logs, action trackers, interface matrices, hold-point trackers, permit registers and commissioning and snagging logs.
• Report status on budget, schedule, risks, issues, test readiness, lane availability, baggage throughput impact and handover readiness to senior management and sponsors.

Risk & Quality Management

• Execute, monitor and control the quality, cost and schedule deliverables, risk management and scope.
• Identify and categorize risks and work with stakeholders to mitigate risks which may impact successful implementation of the program.
• Keep external and internal stakeholders fully updated on possible risks in a timely manner so these risks could be mitigated.
• Control change requests, avoid scope creep and ensure all variations are technically assessed, commercially approved and operationally coordinated before implementation.
• Lead FAT, IFAT, SAT and site acceptance testing, image quality checks, throughput validation, failover testing, calibration, operator familiarization and final handover documentation.
• Review layouts, IFC drawings, cable routing, equipment positioning, queue design, line balancing, structural support requirements, heat load and ventilation, UPS and power isolation needs before installation starts.

Stakeholder & Interface Management

• Liaise with and manage site teams, working autonomously to deliver responsibilities as assigned by the project manager or programme manager.
• Assign work to the program and project teams from technical, manufacturing, operations, supply chain and administrative areas.
• Coordinate OEMs, specialist subcontractors, airport engineering teams, IT and network teams, civil and MEP contractors, baggage handling system integrators and operational stakeholders.
• Work with customer, clients and internal teams to resolve any issues and barriers which would impact program execution.
• Chair progress meetings, interface workshops, risk reviews, construction coordination meetings and operational readiness meetings with airport stakeholders.
• Manage the overall cross-functional program teams, providing guidance in problem solving and directing activities relative to performance of tasks in support of the assigned program requirements.
• Build a culture of coordination, disciplined escalation and zero-surprise communication in a 24/7 operational airport environment.
• Strong stakeholder management in a multi-agency airport environment involving operations, aviation security, engineering, IT, contractors and authorities.

Permits, Access & Compliance

• Secure work permits, airside access permits, escort arrangements, method statement approvals and planned outage and possession approvals for works in restricted areas.
• Track long-lead items, OEM attendance, spares, warranty certificates, software and license keys, and regulatory approval dependencies.
• Ensure strict compliance with airport safety rules, permit-to-work systems, lock-out and tag-out requirements, electrical isolation procedures, lifting plans, working at height procedures, housekeeping and FOD prevention requirements.
• Ensure all project staff, vendors and subcontractors hold required airport security clearances, inductions, airside permits and competency certifications before entering controlled areas.
• Ensure all work is executed in line with applicable aviation security, safety, environmental and data protection requirements, and report incidents, near misses and non-conformances promptly.
• Maintain ethical procurement, vendor management and records management practices across the project lifecycle.

People & Talent Management

• Lead matrix-based site teams and specialist vendors, assigning priorities, monitoring performance, resolving execution issues and reinforcing quality and safety expectations.
• Support training and readiness of operators, supervisors, maintenance teams and airport stakeholders before go-live.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Electrical/Electronics, Mechanical, Aviation Systems, Project Management or a related discipline.
• Typically 7–10 years of experience in project delivery.
• At least 3–5 years in airport, aviation, security systems, baggage or mission-critical infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing installation and commissioning of security screening technologies such as cabin baggage CT or X-ray scanners, in-line or stand-alone hold baggage screening systems, walk-through metal detectors, explosive trace detection equipment, body scanners, tray return systems and operator workstations.
• Sound understanding of airport operational constraints, terminal phasing, airline coordination, possession planning, access restrictions and live-environment construction controls.
• Strong knowledge of security screening system interfaces: electrical power, structured cabling, fiber and network connectivity, server and client architecture, image review stations, alarm outputs, HMI and monitoring systems and integration with third-party airport systems.
• Working knowledge of testing and commissioning practices including FAT, SAT, integrated systems testing, calibration, performance verification, punch listing, as-built documentation and maintenance handover.
• Familiarity with applicable aviation security and airport compliance frameworks including airport operator standards, civil aviation security requirements, OEM installation manuals, HSE management requirements and quality control procedures.
• Professional certification such as PMP, PRINCE2 or equivalent preferred.
• HSE training, airport and airside safety permits and OEM product certification are advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Primavera or similar scheduling tools.
• Strong command of Excel, PowerPoint, document control and project reporting systems.
• Ability to translate technical installation requirements into operationally workable delivery plans.
• Excellent coordination of interfaces between screening equipment OEMs, civil and MEP works, networking, baggage systems and operating teams.
• Strong commercial acumen for variation control, progress valuation, claims avoidance and vendor performance management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, reporting, presentation and meeting facilitation skills.
• High attention to detail, quality assurance discipline, documentation accuracy and configuration control.
• Structured problem solving, root-cause analysis and decision making under time-sensitive operational constraints.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.

Additional Information

• Join Smiths Detection to build your career with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally.
• Experience an inclusive environment with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing.
• Flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.
• Smiths Detection is an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where diversity is celebrated, supported and embraced.