Principal / Associate Mechanical - Airport Project Experience

WSP in the Middle East are seeking a Principal / Associate Mechanical - Airport Project Experience 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, process cooling/heating, kitchen/cold-chain ventilation & refrigeration interfaces), driving concept-to-IFC outcomes that meet stringent safety, hygiene and performance standards. 

• 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. 

• Integrate process utilities common to MRO and workshops.

• Shape catering facility HVAC and hygienic air zones: kitchen exhaust & makeup air (NFPA 96), pressure cascades, temperature/humidity control for clean prep/packing.

• 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.

• 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.   

• 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.

• Experience in refurbishment projects, passenger terminal building  Mechanical design (HVAC, Drainage systems) is preferred.

• 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 project delivery (Passenger terminal building, hangars, MRO shops,  flight catering, or similar).

• Proven leadership as Lead/Principal Engineer on multi-disciplinary design projects and Prior delivery in live airport environments (airside/landside interfaces, works phasing) is preferred.

• Expertise writing BoDs, specifications, P&IDs, control sequences, etc.

• BIM fluency: Revit, Navisworks; competence with calculations (e.g., IES-VE/HAP/eQuest),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