Senior Design Manager (Mechanical)

Zutari: Co-creating an Engineered Impact

Zutari is a purpose-driven management-owned engineering and advisory firm with over 90 years of experience across the Middle East and Africa. We are human-centred consultants who collaborate with clients communities and partners to co-create sustainable infrastructure solutions that leave a positive and lasting legacy.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Zutari is playing a critical role in supporting the Kingdoms Vision 2030 goals by delivering innovative sustainable water solutions that address water scarcity urbanization and environmental stewardship.

About the role:

Lead and assure mechanical design delivery across major programmes/projects in Saudi Arabia within aProject Management Consultancy (PMC)environment. The role provides end-to-enddesign management technical governance coordination and stakeholder interfaceto ensure mechanical designs are compliant buildable cost-effective safe and aligned with programme requirements Saudi codes and Zutari quality standards.

Reporting & Interfaces

Reporting to:Design Director / Engineering Manager

Key interfaces (internal/external):

• Client (Employer) project leadership and technical teams
• Lead Designer / A&E consultants specialist designers and subconsultants
• Contractors (EPC / D&B) suppliers and OEMs (as needed)
• Authorities Having Jurisdiction (Civil Defence utilities municipalities regulators)
• Other disciplines: Civil/Structural Architectural Electrical Public Health/Plumbing Fire & Life Safety ICT/ELV Sustainability Cost/Commercial Planning HSE QA/QC Commissioning

Key Responsibilities

Design Management

• Own themechanical design management planand discipline deliverables across project phases (concept to IFC/as-built where applicable).
• Establish and managedesign stage gates deliverable schedules and design risk controls.
• Leadtechnical reviewsof consultant and contractor submissions (drawings specs calculations reports schedules) and issue consolidated comments.
• Ensure alignment to:
  • Employers Requirements / Project Brief
  • Project standards performance criteria and design guidelines
  • Saudi/local authority requirements and approvals workflow
• Driveinterdisciplinary coordinationand clash avoidance (via BIM/coordination processes) ensuring mechanical interfaces are closed.

B. Technical Leadership (Mechanical)

• Provide technical leadership across (as applicable): HVAC ventilation/smoke control chilled water systems district cooling interfaces plumbing/public health fire suppression interfaces BMS integration plant rooms and energy strategies.
• Ensure mechanical system selection isfit-for-purposeand optimized for:
  • Reliability maintainability access and operations
  • Energy performance and life-cycle cost
  • Constructability and phased delivery
• Lead resolution of key technical challenges value engineering and alternative technical proposals without compromising performance or compliance.

Codes Compliance and Quality

• Ensure compliance with relevantSaudi codes/standardsand project requirements including authority submission readiness.
• ImplementQA/QCfor mechanical deliverables: completeness consistency traceability and coordinated issue management.
• Manage technical queries (RFIs) deviations waivers and design change control with clear audit trails.

Commercial Schedule & Risk

• Support cost planning by ensuring mechanical designs aremeasurable specified and alignedwith BoQs and procurement packaging.
• Identify and managedesign risks mitigation actions and constraints (utilities authority approvals long-lead items).
• Monitor progress vs programme intervene early on delays and recover design schedules with consultants/contractors.

Construction Support & Commissioning Readiness (as required)

• Provide design support through construction: shop drawing review inputs (PMC assurance) site technical support and NCR/design non-conformance resolution.
• Ensure commissioning requirements are embedded in design: testing regimes sequences of operation TAB requirements O&M manuals structure training needs spares strategy.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead the mechanical design review team (if applicable) mentor junior staff and contribute to capability building.
• Chair/lead technical workshops coordination meetings and client presentations; produce clear decision papers and recommendations.

Deliverables (Typical Outputs)

• Mechanical Design Management Plan (discipline inputs)
• Stage gate review packs and consolidated comment trackers
• Technical assurance reports (Concept/Schematic/DD/IFC)
• Risk registers (mechanical scope) design issue logs interface matrices
• Technical specifications reviews and compliance matrices
• Value engineering / options assessments (with LCC rationale)
• Commissioning readiness review notes and sequences of operation review

Requirements:

Minimum requirements

• BEng/BSc in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent)
• 15 yearsrelevant experience with substantialPMC / client-side design managementexposure
• Proven delivery on major projects inSaudi Arabia(or GCC) including authority interface
• Strong track record across full design lifecycle and multi-discipline coordination

Preferred

• Chartered/Professional registration (e.g. CEng Pr Eng equivalent) or demonstrable pathway
• Experience on complex programmes (e.g. mixed-use healthcare aviation rail/metro industrial giga projects hospitality large public buildings)
• Exposure to sustainability/energy performance and life-cycle cost optimisation

Technical Competencies (Mechanical)

• HVAC system design and plant selection load calculations review controls philosophy
• Ventilation and smoke management coordination (as project requires)
• Plumbing/public health coordination and code compliance review
• Fire suppression interface management (with FLS stakeholders)
• BIM-enabled coordination processes (Navisworks/Solibri or equivalent)
• Understanding of commissioning TAB and O&M requirements from design stage

Soft Skills & Behavioural Competencies

• Client-facing communication: concise evidence-based recommendations
• Strong coordination and negotiation across consultants/contractors
• Decision-making under ambiguity; structured problem solving
• High attention to detail with pragmatic delivery focus
• Leadership mentoring and collaborative mindset in multicultural teams

Tools & Digital Capability

• Familiarity with BIM and common CDE workflows (e.g. ACC/BIM 360 Aconex or similar)
• Ability to interrogate models/drawings and manage comment workflows
• Strong MS Office (Excel for trackers PowerPoint for governance packs)

Location Work Pattern & Mobility

• Location:Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (project site and/or Riyadh/Jeddah/NEOM region depending on assignment)
• Work pattern:Full-time PMC delivery environment; periodic site visits and stakeholder workshops
• Mobility:Must be able to travel within KSA as required

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time mechanical design deliverables across stage gates
• Quality of submissions (reduced rework clear compliance evidence)
• Closure rate of design comments and interfaces
• Authority approvals achieved with minimal iterations
• Reduction of construction RFIs/design changes attributable to design gaps
• Commissioning readiness embedded early (clear sequences access/maintainability)

Notes (Governance / Compliance)

• Role operates under Zutari quality management systems and strict document control.
• Legal/commercial decisions remain subject to formal delegated authority and contract protocols.
• All work must align with client confidentiality and data protection requirements.

We believe that a diverse work force is key to our business success. We seek the best people for our jobs based on their skills qualifications and experience. We embrace the principle of equal opportunity in employment and we work towards eliminating all forms of unlawful discrimination in our employment practices