Substation Specialist

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Substation Specialist to oversee all on-site activities related to the construction, commissioning, and quality assurance of substation projects. This critical role will be based at multiple locations, including Ghunan and Salwa in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), as well as Silaa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring that all construction activities adhere to the highest standards, contractual obligations, and design specifications while maintaining strict compliance with safety, environmental, and project timelines.

Key Responsibilities

The Substation Specialist will be responsible for the following core functions:

• Construction Supervision and Quality Assurance: Oversee all construction activities to ensure adherence to approved designs, tender documents, and industry standards. Conduct regular site inspections to verify compliance with contractual terms, safety protocols, and environmental regulations.
• Contractor Coordination and Issue Resolution: Collaborate closely with the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor to address challenges, delays, or deviations from the project plan. Proactively identify potential issues and propose effective solutions in coordination with project management and EPC teams to mitigate risks, claims, or defects.
• Design Review and Validation: Evaluate and approve the contractor’s proposed designs within the specialist’s area of expertise. Depending on workload, the candidate may also contribute to reviewing design studies for other related projects to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Progress Monitoring and Reporting: Review and validate the Contractor’s Daily Reports, certify site progress reports, and maintain comprehensive records of site activities, including non-conformities, remedial actions, near-miss cases, and lessons learned. Provide weekly progress updates to project management and immediate notifications in case of emergencies.
• Commissioning and Testing Oversight: Coordinate and supervise inspection, testing, and commissioning activities in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Ensure all acceptance tests and commissioning procedures are conducted in accordance with project requirements and client specifications.
• Safety, Health, and Environmental Compliance: Enforce and monitor site safety, health, and environmental standards to maintain a zero-incident work environment. Conduct regular audits and inspections to identify hazards and implement corrective measures promptly.
• Documentation and Certification: Certify all material reports, site progress reports, inspection records, and joint measurement certificates to validate work progress and facilitate invoicing. Ensure all documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with contractual obligations.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Facilitate effective communication and interface management with client stakeholders and contractors to ensure seamless execution of outage-related activities and project milestones.

Qualifications and Experience

To qualify for this role, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in the installation, construction, and supervision of 400 kV substation turnkey projects of similar nature and complexity. Proven track record in both design and construction phases is essential.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong understanding of substation engineering principles, EPC contracts, and industry standards. Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and contractual documents with precision.
• Safety Leadership: Demonstrated commitment to field safety with a proven ability to enforce and maintain high safety standards on construction sites.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English (spoken and written) is mandatory. Proficiency in Arabic is considered an advantage but not a requirement.
• Team Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively liaise with project teams, contractors, and client representatives. Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Work Environment and Reporting Structure

The Substation Specialist will report directly to the Project Manager and Project Coordinator. This role is part of a dynamic team of approximately 14 engineers and assistant engineers deployed across various project sites. The position requires a high level of adaptability, as the candidate may be required to travel between project locations as needed to ensure project continuity and success.