Job Description

Job Title
Principal Engineer, Construction
Reporting to
Director – Construction & Pre-commissioning
Business Unit/Function
PD&E
Department
Project Execution
Direct Reports
-
Budget/Size
Grade
Job Family
PD&E
Sub Family
Construction
Position Type
Regular
Role Profile Number
27267
Job Purpose
The Principal Engineer – Construction Management will play a critical role in the successful execution of Maaden’s mega industrial projects, focusing on the construction and pre-commissioning phases. The candidate will oversee and provide technical leadership on all aspects of site management, from ground preparation to equipment installation, ensuring
the highest quality standards, adherence to schedule, and strict compliance with safety protocols.
This position requires an in-depth understanding of large-scale industrial construction methodologies, contract management, and pre-commissioning activities, ensuring that all project milestones are met according to Maaden’s standards. The candidate will serve as the technical leader in resolving on-site construction challenges, managing contractor relationships, and ensuring effective project execution while promoting a culture of continuous improvement and safety excellence. Additionally, the candidate will provide mentorship to construction teams, collaborate with other functions such as engineering and procurement, and ensure seamless transitions between construction and commissioning phases.
Key Accountabilities
1. Construction Execution & Oversight:
- Lead construction activities: Oversee site preparation, civil works, equipment installation, and structural assembly, ensuring projects are delivered within scope, on time, and within budget.
- Develop and implement construction plans: Prepare detailed construction schedules using tools like Primavera P6, integrating engineering, procurement, and construction activities to identify critical paths and prevent delays.
- Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards: Enforce Ma'aden's stringent HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) protocols, ensuring zero-incident operations across all construction sites.
2. Pre-Commissioning readiness & Systems Turnover:
- Lead pre-commissioning activities: Supervise the execution of pre-commissioning and commissioning work, ensuring systems and equipment are prepared for operational turnover.
- Coordinate with EPC contractors: Ensure that EPC or EPCM contractors adhere to pre-commissioning protocols, completing tasks such as system flushing, pressure testing, and equipment calibration.
- Develop turnover packages: Prepare and verify the completeness of turnover packages for commissioning, ensuring that all deliverables are signed off and accepted by the operations team.
3. Contract & Contractor Management:
- Monitor contractor performance: Manage the performance of construction contractors, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations, quality standards, and timelines.
- Manage claims and variations: Address potential changes to construction scope, managing contractor claims and ensuring variations are properly documented and approved through governance channels.
- Compliance with construction contracts: Enforce compliance with contract terms such as FIDIC, ensuring appropriate risk allocation and resolution of any disputes.
4. Risk & Change Management:
- Implement robust risk management: Develop risk management frameworks, identifying potential construction risks (e.g., safety, technical, environmental) and implementing mitigation strategies.
- Oversee change management processes: Ensure all changes to construction scope, timeline, or budget are properly managed, documented, and communicated to all stakeholders.
ROLE PROFILE
2
Classification: Restricted
5. Stakeholder Communication & Coordination:
- Collaborate with project stakeholders: Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including project management teams, contractors, and government authorities.
- Provide regular updates: Ensure timely delivery of construction progress reports, highlighting key milestones, risks, and any issues requiring management attention.
- Coordinate with Engineering and PMT: Ensure seamless integration of construction activities with engineering designs and the project management team’s goals.
6. Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement:
- Track construction KPIs: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as schedule adherence, safety incidents, and quality compliance to ensure the project stays on track.
- Foster continuous improvement: Lead post-construction reviews and lessons-learned sessions to enhance Ma'aden’s construction methodologies and processes for future projects.
7. Digitalization
- Knowledge about the latest digitalization tools and techniques in project management, construction management & pre-commissioning management as well as Turnover and Handover management.
Minimum Qualifications, Experience and Competencies
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical preferred). A Master’s degree in Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field is highly desirable.
Minimum Experience:
- 12-18 years of experience in managing and executing mega industrial construction projects, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
- Proven experience in leading large-scale construction and pre-commissioning activities within the mining, metals, oil & gas, or heavy industrial sectors.
- Strong understanding of contract management, claims management, and dispute resolution in construction contexts.
Ma’aden High Performance Competencies:
- Strong leadership characteristics preferably in a multicultural environment
- Achievement Drive
- Communication
- Developing others
- Teamwork & collaboration
- Analytical thinking
- Task-and outcome-focused behaviours
- Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills
- Strategic Thinking and Decision Making
- Leadership and People Development
- Resilience and Adaptability
- Integrity and Compliance
- Innovation and Continuous Learning
Skills:
- Technical Proficiency: Expert in construction project management tools (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project, BIM, AutoCAD).
- Certifications: PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification.
- Safety Leadership: Strong understanding of HSE requirements and safety management systems (e.g., OSHA, NEBOSH certifications).
- Risk & Change Management: Experience in managing construction risks and leading change management processes on large-scale projects.
- Change & Variations: Extensive experience in managing variations, change orders, and contractor negotiations, ensuring minimal disruption to project timelines and budgets.
- Contract & Claims Management: Proficiency in managing complex EPC and FIDIC contracts, with strong negotiation and claims resolution skills.
ROLE PROFILE
3
Classification: Restricted
- Communication & Negotiation: Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead high-level discussions and negotiations.
- Cultural Adaptability: Experience working in multicultural environments, with specific familiarity with Middle Eastern construction practices and regulations.
- Knowledge of reading and using project control tools (Primavera, MS Project, MS Office, etc.)..