Technical Director - Water/Wastewater/Desalination

Job title
Technical Director – Water / Wastewater / Desalination

Location(s)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Ready to engineer your positive impact?
Then join Tractebel, part of the ENGIE Group, and our 5,600 passionate experts around the globe, driven by shaping a more sustainable world every day. It’s your chance to be a part of the adventure of the century: accelerating the energy transition – while enhancing people’s lives through meaningful projects. Make your contribution to carbon neutrality in markets like nuclear, renewables, power & gas, electrical grids, hydropower & dams, water resources & supply, desalination, complex & high-tech buildings, transport infrastructures, and ports & waterways.

Are you ready to make a difference? Then we look forward to meeting you!

What we offer
Tractebel is more than a place to work. It’s your chance to evolve alongside top experts on impactful projects around the world. It’s an environment built on team spirit, where you can reach your highest potential.

We actively support the development of our people, and the opportunities for growth within the ENGIE Group are wide open.

We offer a competitive salary package including paid holidays, performance-based bonuses (for eligible roles), comprehensive health insurance, and ENGIE stock options, among other perks.
Flexible, hybrid arrangements allow one day of remote work per week.
We value team spirit and celebrate our achievements with events like our annual Iftar gathering and year-end festivities.

Your mission
As Technical Director – Water / Wastewater / Desalination in our Water division, you will lead and expand our water practice in Saudi Arabia, focusing on desalination, water transmission, and wastewater treatment projects. You will head engineering consultancy assignments, drive business growth, and directly contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 water infrastructure programs.

Your key responsibilities

• Business Development: Identify and pursue opportunities in desalination, transmission pipelines, and wastewater projects. Lead bids and proposals, especially for PPP/IWP initiatives, and develop strong client relationships with government, utilities, and private developers.

• Project Leadership: Act as Project/Technical Director for major water and wastewater projects, including SWRO/MSF/MED desalination plants, wastewater treatment and TSE facilities, pumping stations, reservoirs, and transmission pipelines.

• Technical Oversight: Ensure high-quality engineering design and delivery, reviewing designs for compliance with Saudi and international standards, applying risk management and QA processes. Provide hands-on guidance to solve complex technical challenges.

• Team Development: Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing multidisciplinary team. Define roles, recruit specialists, and foster a collaborative, performance-driven culture.

• Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary contact for clients, lead presentations and meetings, and coordinate with regulators to secure approvals and permits. Maintain strong ongoing client relationships.

• Contracting & Procurement: Oversee technical input to tenders, subcontractor evaluations, and bid reviews. Support commercial teams to ensure proposals are competitive and technically robust.

• Quality Assurance & Reporting: Track project performance, resolve issues proactively, and ensure compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards. Report regularly to senior management.

• Strategic Guidance: Advise leadership on Saudi water market trends, leveraging knowledge of SWPC’s IWP programs and PPP models to shape service offerings and business strategy. Represent Tractebel at industry events and technical forums.

We would love to hear from people with

Your qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil, Environmental, Chemical, or Water Resources Engineering (or related field).

• 15–20+ years of experience in the water/wastewater industry, including senior leadership roles in consultancy or EPCM environments.

• Demonstrated success in delivering large, complex desalination and wastewater projects.

Who you are

• Experienced in desalination (SWRO), wastewater/TSE treatment, and large-scale water transmission systems.

• Strong background in project leadership, feasibility studies, and multidisciplinary design management.

• Proven ability to win and deliver major projects, including PPP/IWP initiatives.

• Significant experience in Saudi Arabia or the GCC, with strong knowledge of local regulations, standards, and practices.

Your soft skills

• Strategic thinker with strong business development skills.

• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and presentation abilities.

• Strong client engagement and relationship management skills.

• Fluent in English (Arabic is an advantage)

  Who we are
  Our top priorities are people, ethics, safety, and sustainability. With Tractebel, you are uniquely positioned to make a positive impact on global net-zero targets. The driving force behind reaching these goals is our greatest asset: you. Our people come first, and our strength is in our diversity. Because diversity leads to fresh perspectives that drive performance and innovation!

  Find out more about Tractebel, our activities and why you should join us here!

  As part of the 96,000-strong ENGIE Group, your career path in pioneering low-carbon solutions around the world knows no limits. Every day is your opportunity to shape a more sustainable world.