Head - Civil & Structural Engineering - Engineering Design & Research

Head of Civil & Structural Engineering - Engineering Design & Research

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia / Chennai, India

Experience: 20+ years

Qualification: B.E./B.Tech in Civil or Structural Engineering

Preferred Qualification: Postgraduate qualification in Structural or Geotechnical Engineering

Role Overview:

We are looking for an experienced Civil & Structural Engineering leader to head the engineering design function for power transmission and distribution projects across India and international markets.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in civil and structural design for substations and industrial facilities, along with a strong track record of leading engineering teams, managing multidisciplinary design activities and delivering high-quality, cost-effective engineering solutions.

This role is best suited for professionals from Engineering Design and Research Centres (EDRCs), engineering consultancies and design engineering organisations who have led complex design assignments and managed large engineering teams.

Please note: This is a design-focused leadership role, not a civil construction or site execution position. Candidates with predominantly construction, infrastructure execution or site management experience will not be suitable.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead the civil and structural engineering design function for substation and power distribution projects across multiple geographies.

- Oversee conceptual, basic and detailed engineering, including design calculations, drawings, technical specifications and project documentation.

- Lead and mentor Project Engineering Managers, Lead Engineers, Design Engineers and drafting teams.

- Provide engineering support during tendering, developing technically sound and commercially competitive design solutions.

- Review engineering deliverables to ensure compliance with project specifications, applicable international codes, quality standards and safety requirements.

- Manage engineering schedules, resource allocation, productivity and man-hour budgets across multiple projects.

- Coordinate with electrical, MEP, instrumentation, contracts, project management and site engineering teams to resolve technical challenges.

- Manage external engineering consultants and subcontractors, ensuring timely delivery, technical quality and cost optimisation.

- Support project teams in resolving design-related issues and assessing technical feasibility, risks and mitigation measures.

- Drive standardisation, modularisation and continuous improvement in engineering processes.

- Explore the adoption of automation, digital engineering tools and AI to improve design productivity and efficiency.

- Build strong working relationships with clients, engineering consultants and senior internal stakeholders across geographies.

Technical Expertise Required:

- Extensive experience in civil and structural design for indoor and outdoor substations up to 400 kV, including Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substations.

- Strong expertise in structural design of industrial buildings, steel structures, RCC structures, foundations, levelling and grading, and geotechnical aspects.

- Knowledge of international civil and structural engineering codes, including BS/EN, ASCE, European and Indian standards.

- Understanding of precast design, installation and construction methodologies to ensure design feasibility and practical applicability.

- Ability to evaluate site-specific inputs, including topographical and environmental conditions, for structural design calculations.

- Experience in design reviews, technical risk assessment, engineering quality assurance and resolution of complex design issues.

- Proficiency in structural analysis and design software such as STAAD and ETABS.

- Working knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit, with exposure to Tekla for structural detailing.

Experience & Leadership Requirements:

- 20+ years of overall experience in civil and structural engineering, with substantial experience in engineering design and detailed design.

- Proven experience leading a centralised engineering design function, EDRC or a design engineering team supporting multiple projects.

- Strong exposure to power transmission and distribution, substations or closely related industrial engineering design environments.

- Demonstrated experience managing engineering managers, lead engineers, design engineers and external design consultants.

- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring design quality, delivery timelines and budget adherence.

- Experience working with international clients and consultants, particularly in the Middle East, will be an advantage.

- Strong commercial awareness, stakeholder management, communication and decision-making skills.

Preferred Candidate Background:

Candidates from the following environments are encouraged to apply:

- Engineering Design and Research Centres (EDRCs).

- Engineering design and consultancy organisations.

- Power transmission and distribution engineering design teams.

- Substation engineering and industrial structural design organisations.

- Multidisciplinary engineering centres handling international projects.

Profiles That Will Not Be Suitable:

This opportunity is specifically for design engineering professionals, and not for candidates whose experience is primarily in:

- Civil construction or infrastructure site execution.

- Building construction and general civil project management.

- Site supervision, construction management or contractor-side execution without substantial design responsibility.

- Project management roles focused on construction delivery rather than engineering design.

- General civil engineering without relevant substation, industrial structural design or comparable engineering design experience.

Candidates must demonstrate clear ownership of design calculations, engineering deliverables, technical reviews and design team leadership.

Work Location & Travel:

- Base location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia or Chennai, India.

- Full-time leadership role within an engineering design environment.

- Domestic and international travel as required for client meetings, engineering reviews and project coordination.

- Occasional visits or short-term assignments at project sites or overseas offices may be necessary.

Interested candidates with strong civil and structural engineering design leadership experience are encouraged to apply with their updated profiles.