Active Network & Special Airport Systems Lead

WSP  in the Middle East is seeking an experienced Special Airport Systems (SAS) – Active Engineer / Active Systems Manager to be based in Dammam. This role is responsible for the delivery, assurance, and performance of active airport technologies within SAS, including (but not limited to) surveillance systems, access control, networking, communications, and other operational airport systems.

You will ensure compliance with aviation regulations, cybersecurity protocols, and defined performance requirements, while leading integration, testing, commissioning, and ensuring system-wide interoperability. The role works closely with passive infrastructure, ICT, and airport operations stakeholders to ensure seamless activation, readiness, and operational alignment.

• Lead the end-to-end technical oversight of active SAS technologies (security, surveillance, access control, communications, networking, and operational systems) from design through delivery.
• Ensure all active systems comply with aviation regulations, client standards, and agreed performance, resilience, and availability requirements.
• Drive cybersecurity-by-design and compliance with relevant cybersecurity protocols across SAS active technologies, including secure architecture, configuration, and assurance.
• Plan and manage integration, ensuring interfaces across active systems, ICT platforms, and airport operational frameworks are clearly defined, tested, and validated.
• Oversee testing, commissioning, SAT/Integrated Testing planning and execution, including readiness reviews, defect management, and close-out governance.
• Ensure system-wide interoperability and coordinated activation across multiple vendors and stakeholders.
• Coordinate closely with the Passive Engineer scope (cabling, pathways, containment) to ensure end-to-end system performance and installation readiness.
• Support project leadership by monitoring progress, highlighting risks/issues early, and providing clear reporting and mitigation plans.
• Manage technical queries (RFIs), change impacts, and stakeholder alignment to protect programme milestones and operational outcomes.
• Ensure high-quality handover documentation, including test evidence, configuration baselines, as-builts, and operational readiness deliverables

• 15+ years of relevant experience delivering active airport systems / SAS / ICT / security systems in complex aviation or similarly critical environments.
• Strong understanding of active technologies such as surveillance, ACS, communications, networking, and operationally critical airport systems.
• Demonstrable experience leading systems integration, multi-vendor delivery, and large stakeholder environments (client, airport ops, ICT, contractors).
• Strong knowledge and hands-on exposure to testing, commissioning, integrated systems testing, and operational readiness.
• Solid understanding of cybersecurity principles applicable to airport systems and operational technology environments.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to communicate clearly with technical and non-technical audiences.