Site Engineer - Civil

Job Description: Civil Site Engineer – Substation Projects (UAE) ???

Position Title: Civil Site Engineer
Project Type: Electrical Substation Projects (132kV / 220kV / 400kV and Distribution Substations)
Location: United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Northern Emirates)
Reporting To: Project Manager / Senior Civil Engineer / Construction Manager

1. Job Purpose ?

The Civil Site Engineer for substation projects is responsible for planning, supervising, and executing civil construction activities at electrical substations in compliance with project specifications, authority requirements, safety standards, and quality procedures. The role ensures that all civil works such as foundations, cable trenches, control buildings, equipment plinths, boundary walls, roads, and drainage systems are executed efficiently, safely, and within schedule.

The Civil Site Engineer acts as the key interface between the design team, subcontractors, consultants, and project management to ensure smooth project execution. The position requires strong coordination skills, technical knowledge of substation civil works, and familiarity with UAE authority standards such as ADDC, AADC, DEWA, SEWA, FEWA/EtihadWE, and TRANSCO.

2. Key Responsibilities ??

A. Site Execution & Supervision

• Supervise day-to-day civil construction activities at substation sites.
• Ensure works are carried out as per approved drawings, method statements, and project specifications.
• Coordinate with subcontractors for execution of foundations, cable trenches, transformer bunds, GIS buildings, control rooms, and internal roads.
• Monitor excavation, backfilling, compaction, and concrete works.
• Ensure proper levels and alignment for equipment foundations.
• Supervise installation of underground utilities and drainage systems.
• Verify rebar placement, formwork, embedment installation, and concrete pouring.
• Check compliance with approved ITPs (Inspection and Test Plans).
• Ensure proper curing and protection of concrete structures.

B. Planning & Scheduling ?

• Prepare weekly and daily work plans in coordination with the construction manager.
• Monitor progress against project schedule and highlight delays.
• Coordinate with procurement team for material delivery.
• Ensure manpower and equipment availability for planned activities.
• Assist in preparation of look-ahead schedules.
• Support recovery plans in case of project delays.

C. Coordination with Stakeholders ?

• Liaise with consultants for inspections and approvals.
• Coordinate with electrical and mechanical teams for interface works.
• Communicate with surveyors for setting out works.
• Attend site coordination meetings with contractors and clients.
• Resolve site technical issues in consultation with design team.
• Coordinate with QA/QC engineers for inspections.

D. Quality Control & Assurance ?

• Ensure all materials comply with approved submittals.
• Conduct site checks before consultant inspections.
• Monitor concrete cube testing and compaction tests.
• Ensure compliance with authority standards (ADDC, DEWA, etc.).
• Maintain site quality records.
• Ensure corrective actions for non-conformance reports (NCRs).
• Follow approved method statements.

E. Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) ?

• Enforce safety procedures at site.
• Conduct daily toolbox talks with workforce.
• Ensure use of PPE by all workers.
• Monitor safe excavation practices.
• Ensure barricading of open trenches and pits.
• Coordinate lifting operations for heavy equipment foundations.
• Report incidents and near misses.
• Ensure compliance with UAE HSE regulations.

F. Survey & Setting Out ?

• Verify benchmarks and reference points.
• Coordinate with surveyor for layout of buildings and foundations.
• Check finished levels of cable trenches and roads.
• Ensure proper slope for drainage systems.
• Verify as-built coordinates.

G. Documentation & Reporting ?

• Prepare daily progress reports.
• Maintain site diaries.
• Record manpower and equipment deployment.
• Prepare inspection requests (IRs).
• Track material delivery and usage.
• Maintain drawing register.
• Prepare red-mark drawings for as-built documentation.
• Assist in preparation of monthly progress reports.

3. Scope of Civil Works in Substation Projects ?

The Civil Site Engineer will typically handle the following works:

• Substation control building construction
• GIS building civil works
• Transformer foundations
• Reactor foundations
• Equipment plinths
• Cable trenches and troughs
• Cable basement works
• Oil containment bunds
• Boundary wall and fencing
• Internal asphalt/concrete roads
• Stormwater drainage systems
• Earthing pits and chambers
• Water tanks and pump rooms
• Security buildings
• Equipment gantry foundations
• Firefighting water reservoir structures
• Duct banks and underground sleeves

4. Technical Requirements ?

• Good understanding of substation layout drawings.
• Knowledge of reinforced concrete structures.
• Experience in heavy equipment foundations.
• Understanding of soil conditions and ground improvement.
• Familiarity with cable trench construction.
• Knowledge of concrete mix design and testing.
• Ability to read IFC drawings and shop drawings.
• Understanding of UAE construction standards.
• Experience with excavation and shoring systems.
• Knowledge of waterproofing and joint sealing.

5. Qualification Requirements ?

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.
• Minimum 4–8 years of experience in civil construction.
• At least 2–3 years in substation projects in UAE.
• Experience in high voltage substations preferred.
• Knowledge of authority standards (DEWA/ADDC/TRANSCO).
• UAE driving license preferred.

6. Skills & Competencies ?

• Strong technical knowledge of civil works.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple teams.
• Problem-solving capability.
• Planning and organizational skills.
• Leadership abilities.
• Time management skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD drawings.

7. Software Knowledge ?

• AutoCAD (basic review)
• MS Excel
• MS Project / Primavera (basic)
• MS Word
• Inspection management systems
• ERP systems (preferred)

8. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) ?

• Progress vs schedule achievement
• Quality compliance rate
• Number of NCRs
• Safety compliance
• Productivity of subcontractors
• Material wastage control
• Inspection approval rate
• Project milestone achievement

9. Working Conditions ?

• Site-based role in outdoor environment.
• Work in high temperature conditions typical in UAE.
• Coordination with multiple subcontractors.
• Occasional extended working hours to meet deadlines.
• Travel between multiple substation sites may be required.

10. Responsibilities During Project Phases ?

Mobilization Phase

• Review drawings and specifications.
• Participate in site handover.
• Coordinate site setup.
• Verify benchmarks.

Construction Phase

• Supervise all civil works.
• Coordinate inspections.
• Monitor progress.
• Ensure quality compliance.

Testing & Commissioning Phase

• Support electrical team.
• Complete finishing works.
• Clear punch list items.
• Assist in handover documentation.

Project Close-Out

• Prepare as-built drawings.
• Close NCRs.
• Finalize documentation.
• Assist in project handover.

11. Preferred Experience in UAE Substation Authorities ?

Experience in projects under:

• TRANSCO
• ADDC / AADC
• DEWA
• SEWA
• EtihadWE (FEWA)
• ADNOC substations

12. Reporting Structure ?

Civil Site Engineer reports to:

• Construction Manager
• Project Manager
• Senior Civil Engineer

Coordinates with:

• Electrical Engineers
• QA/QC Engineers
• HSE Engineers
• Surveyors
• Subcontractors
• Consultants

13. Career Growth Path ?

• Civil Site Engineer
• Senior Civil Site Engineer
• Civil Construction Engineer
• Construction Manager
• Project Manager