Principal Engineer - Mechanical - Aviation Buildings

Job Description

WSP in the Middle East are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead design and delivery of complex aviation and industrial buildings-aircraft maintenance hangars, corrosion control/paint shops, engine/APU workshops, and large-scale flight catering facilities.

You'll be the mechanical technical authority across HVAC and specialist process systems (compressed air, ventilation for painting and welding, process cooling/heating, kitchen/cold-chain ventilation & refrigeration interfaces), driving concept-to-IFC outcomes that meet stringent safety, hygiene and performance standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical/HVAC design from feasibility and basis-of-design (BoD) through detailed design, tender and construction support for aviation facilities.
• Own the environmental strategy for very large volumes (e.g., hangar bays): heating/cooling concepts, destratification, purge/exhaust modes, make-up air, and controls sequences-balancing energy, IAQ and safety. (UFC/ASHRAE/NFPA context).
• Engineer specialist ventilation for hazardous operations: paint spray booths/rooms, fuel-cell maintenance/purge ventilation, welding/fume extraction, VOC control, and hazardous-area interfaces with electrical/controls.
• Design and specify compressed air systems (instrument/process/breathing air): generation, drying, filtration, storage, distribution, point-of-use regulation, monitoring and quality classes (ISO 8573).
• Integrate process utilities common to MRO and workshops-vacuum, nitrogen, process cooling water, oil/water separation interfaces, and condensate management-coordinating with fire/life safety and electrical.
• Shape catering facility HVAC and hygienic air zones: kitchen exhaust & makeup air (NFPA 96), pressure cascades, temperature/humidity control for clean prep/packing, and cold-chain room interface with refrigeration and HACCP/ISO 22000 programs.
• Deliver BIM-led coordination (Revit/Navisworks) across architecture, structures, process, fire protection, and controls; lead clash resolution and model QA.
• Run calculations & simulations: loads, duct/pipe sizing, ventilation rates, smoke/fume capture, and (where needed) CFD to support the thermal comfort studies.
• Author technical documents: BoD, design reports, specifications, sequences of operation, control narratives, FAT/SAT/commissioning plans.
• Mentor and review the work of engineers/designers; lead design reviews, HAZOPs, and constructability/operability workshops.
• Engage stakeholders-airlines/MROs, airport operators, food safety teams, and authorities-to secure approvals and smooth delivery.
• Lead retrofit, refurbishment, and brownfield upgrade projects within operational airport environments-assessing existing systems, developing phased upgrade strategies, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing operations, and integrating new systems with legacy infrastructure while addressing capacity, compliance, and energy performance improvements.
  
  Key systems & domains you'll cover
• Hangars & workshops: general and emergency exhaust, purge ventilation for fuel system work, floor-level capture where required, destratification/HVLS fans, door air management, radiant/air systems, PCA (pre-conditioned air) and GSE interfaces.
• Paint/corrosion control: booth/room supply & exhaust, filtration, interlocks, LEL sensing, VOC abatement interfaces, hazardous-area zoning/ATEX/IECEx coordination with electrical teams.
• Welding & fabrication: local exhaust ventilation (LEV), fume extraction arms/hoods, booth/backdraft design, and general dilution ventilation aligned with OSHA/ACGIH guidance.
• Compressed air: oil-free/oil-lubricated selection, dryers (refrigerated/desiccant), filtration trains to meet ISO 8573 purity classes for tools/processes; breathing-air systems to OSHA Grade D (CGA G-7.1) when required.
• Catering facilities: high-duty kitchen exhaust & makeup air (hoods, MAUs, heat recovery), grease ducting, rooftop terminations, pressure zoning for hygiene, and interfaces to cold rooms/freezers and clean areas aligned to HACCP/ISO 22000.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Professional registration (e.g., CEng/PE) strongly preferred.
• 15+ years' experience in building services (mechanical/HVAC), with significant aviation/industrial project delivery (hangars, MRO shops, paint/corrosion control, flight catering, or similar).
• Proven leadership as Lead/Principal Engineer on multi-disciplinary design projects.
• Deep knowledge of codes/standards typically applied on aviation assets such as
  
  • Aircraft Maintenance Hangars and Corrosion Control & Paint Facilities.
  • NFPA 409 (aircraft hangars), NFPA 33 (spray application), NFPA 96 (commercial cooking/kitchen exhaust).
  • ASHRAE 62.1 (ventilation/IAQ), with familiarity in 90.1/energy implications.
  • ISO 8573 for compressed air quality; OSHA 1910.134 / CGA G-7.1 Grade D where breathing-air is part of scope.
• Expertise writing BoDs, specifications, P&IDs, control sequences, etc.
• BIM fluency: Revit, Navisworks; competence with calculations (e.g., IES-VE/HAP/eQuest), and airflow network tools; CFD exposure preferred.
• Client-facing communication and team leadership; mentoring and QA/QC across multiple concurrent packages.
• Strong communication skills for effective client presentations, stakeholder workshops, and cross-functional coordination.
• Willingness to be based at Dammam Airport for the initial phase of the project (short-term assignment) and relocate to the main office upon project completion

Nice to Have

• Prior delivery in live airport environments (airside/landside interfaces, works phasing).
• Experience with PCA/GPU integration and hangar door infiltration strategies.
• Familiarity with food-safe HVAC zoning and cleanroom-adjacent spaces in food processing.