Mechanical Installation Engineer — Equipment Installation & Maintenance Planning (Consultancy / Project Lead) Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Riyadh-based; travel as required) Reporting to: Lead Mechanical Engineer / Programme Director Project overview Under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, our client is developing a first-of-its-kind facility to process critical minerals, produce rare-earth products and manufacture permanent magnets.
The programme will capture higher value domestically, support export-oriented industrial clusters and accelerate energy-transition technologies (EVs, wind power).
This strategic initiative will reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for rare-earth processing and magnetics.
Role overview We are recruiting a senior Mechanical Installation Engineer to lead equipment installation strategy, site installation planning and maintenance planning for the magnet production facility during Stage 1 (feasibility/concept) and Stage 2 (FEED/RFQ).
This consultancy role will prepare FEED-level installation deliverables, define installation methods and sequences, develop commissioning and maintenance strategies, and support RFQ preparation for installation and maintenance packages.
Key responsibilities Define equipment installation philosophies and methodologies for major production packages (presses, furnaces, sintering lines, material handling systems, HVAC for controlled-atmosphere areas, powder handling enclosures, cranes and lifting systems).
Produce mechanical installation deliverables: installation sequences, erection diagrams, lifting plans, anchor bolt and grouting details, alignment and levelling specifications, foundation interface requirements, and temporary works strategy.
Develop commissioning, pre-commissioning and SAT/FAT interfaces relevant to mechanical systems.
Prepare maintenance planning deliverables: preventive maintenance strategy, reliability-centred maintenance inputs, spare-parts list, maintenance tooling requirements, access/egress and ergonomics for safe maintenance, and maintenance KPI recommendations.
Define scope and RFQ content for mechanical installation contractors and specialist installers; develop scope-of-work and technical acceptance criteria.
Identify installation, logistical and constructability risks (e.
g., tight tolerances, heavy lifts, contamination control for powders) and propose mitigation measures and QA/QC processes.
Coordinate with process, mechanical design, E&I, civil and HSE teams to ensure installation feasibility and safe access; review equipment supplier installation requirements and vendor manuals.
Provide input to site layout, erection yards, storage strategies and temporary utilities needed for installation works.
Support tender evaluation for installation contractors and advise on contractor selection and packaging strategies.
Mentor junior engineers and review deliverables from external installation contractors.
A strategic role on a landmark national industrial programme.
Competitive consultancy remuneration (commensurate with experience) Riyadh-based role with travel as required.
Essential qualifications & experience BSc in Mechanical Engineering (or related engineering discipline) from a recognized university.
MSc/PhD desirable.
Minimum 15–20 years’ industrial mechanical installation and site delivery experience across feasibility, FEED, construction/installation and commissioning phases.
Direct experience in equipment installation and maintenance planning for process or heavy-industrial facilities.
Experience in powder metallurgy, ceramic processing or magnet production equipment is highly desirable.
Proven experience preparing FEED-level installation packages, RFQs for installation works, lifting/rigging plans and commissioning interfaces.
Strong knowledge of mechanical alignment, grouting, foundation interfaces, lifts and rigging, and heavy equipment installation best practices.
Experience with maintenance planning methodologies (RCM/PM), spare parts strategies and maintenance tooling specification.
Excellent technical writing skills, stakeholder management and leadership capability; comfortable working in multinational teams.
· Outcome-driven: prioritizes timely delivery and consistently meets cost, schedule and quality requirements Comfortable working with multinational teams; fluent in English.
Desirable Experience with contamination control, controlled-atmosphere handling and clean-handling installations for sensitive powders.
Experience in Middle East / GCC projects and familiarity with regional construction practices and local regulations.
Certification in lifting/rigging engineering, mechanical alignment or maintenance management is a plus.
