Dam Expert Engineer

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide specialist engineering advice for the operation and maintenance of dams and associated water infrastructure.
• Support the development and implementation of short-, medium- and long-term operational plans.
• Provide technical control and assurance for dam operations, maintenance and asset-improvement activities.
• Review the performance and condition of dam gates, valves, pumps, hydraulic systems, lifting equipment and associated mechanical assets.
• Assess operational reliability, availability, maintainability and efficiency.
• Identify recurring failures, performance deficiencies and operational risks and recommend practical improvements.
• Review equipment operating parameters, maintenance histories, failure records and technical inspection findings.
• Conduct or support root-cause analyses of equipment failures and operational incidents.
• Recommend corrective, preventive and predictive maintenance solutions.
• Support the identification and prioritization of critical assets.
• Maintain accurate operating and maintenance data within planning, scheduling and asset-management systems.
• Verify the accuracy and completeness of asset registers, equipment records, maintenance histories and operational data.
• Monitor operations and maintenance KPIs, including availability, reliability, downtime, failure frequency, maintenance completion and response time.
• Analyze operational trends and convert performance findings into improvement actions.
• Periodically review operating policies, procedures, manuals and work instructions.
• Identify gaps in existing procedures and recommend updates based on operational experience and risk.
• Develop operating philosophies for dams and associated mechanical and hydraulic systems.
• Ensure operating philosophies address normal, abnormal, emergency, shutdown and restart conditions.
• Review and improve preventive, corrective, predictive and emergency maintenance strategies.
• Benchmark operating and maintenance practices against recognized international standards and good industry practice.
• Provide technical input to maintenance programs, work scopes, specifications, bills of quantities and O&M contracts.
• Review technical submissions, method statements, maintenance plans and contractor proposals.
• Monitor contractor performance and verify that work is executed in accordance with approved procedures and specifications.
• Support equipment testing, commissioning, handover and return-to-service activities.
• Coordinate the resolution of technical defects, non-conformances and outstanding maintenance actions.
• Work closely with civil, electrical, instrumentation, hydraulic, safety, risk, planning and asset-management specialists.
• Support emergency planning and operational response for equipment failures, flooding and other abnormal conditions.
• Prepare clear daily, weekly, monthly, annual and technical reports as required by the assignment.
• Present operating performance, technical risks, improvement proposals and required decisions to senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate with government stakeholders, consultants, contractors and multidisciplinary teams.
• Attend meetings, inspections and site visits anywhere in Saudi Arabia as required.
• Comply with Saudi laws, applicable codes, Client procedures, quality requirements and occupational health and safety obligations.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or an equivalent relevant discipline from a recognized university.
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in dam projects.
• Substantial experience in dam operations, maintenance, technical support or asset-performance improvement.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical and hydraulic equipment associated with dams and water infrastructure.
• Experience with gates, valves, pumps, actuators, hoists, hydraulic power units and related auxiliary systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing or reviewing operating philosophies, procedures and maintenance strategies.
• Experience analyzing equipment failures, operational data and maintenance-performance trends.
• Strong understanding of preventive, predictive, corrective and emergency maintenance practices.
• Experience using planning, scheduling, maintenance-management or asset-management systems.
• Ability to review technical specifications, maintenance procedures, engineering reports and contractor submissions.
• Strong technical-reporting, analytical, coordination and problem-solving capabilities.
• Relevant experience must be supported by verifiable employment records, project references, reports or studies when requested.