Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer - Installations, Energy Planning & Process Control Systems (Consultancy / Project Lead)
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Riyadh-based; travel as required)
Reporting to: Lead Process Engineer / Programme Director

Project overview
Under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, our client is establishing a pioneering industrial facility to process critical minerals and manufacture permanent magnets. The programme will capture higher value in the rare-earth value chain, support export-oriented industrial clusters and accelerate energy-transition technologies (EVs, wind power). This facility will strengthen the Kingdom's position as a regional hub for rare-earth processing and magnetics.

Role overview
We seek a senior Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer to provide technical leadership during Stage 1 (feasibility / concept) and Stage 2 (FEED / RFQ preparation). The role will define electrical infrastructure, power systems and process control strategies, prepare FEED-level electrical & I&E packages and RFQs, and support vendor selection, integration and testing strategies.

Key responsibilities

• Define electrical plant infrastructure: power distribution network, medium/low-voltage systems, transformers, switchgear, motor control centres (MCCs), backup power and site utilities.
• Develop energy planning and optimization assessments: peak demand, load profiles, energy efficiency opportunities, power-factor correction, on-site generation (where relevant) and integration of renewables or energy storage (if applicable).
• Specify electrical equipment (MOC, ratings, protection systems), cable schedules, earthing and lightning protection, and hazardous-area classification requirements.
• Define instrumentation and control architecture: DCS/PLC selection, control strategies, I/O lists, instrument specifications, control room design considerations, and HMIs/SCADA requirements.
• Prepare FEED-level E&I technical packages and RFQ documents for major electrical and control equipment and systems.
• Lead vendor technical evaluation for E&I packages, factory acceptance tests (FATs), site acceptance tests (SATs), and commissioning protocols.
• Develop functional design specifications, cause-and-effect matrices, interlock and safety instrumented system (SIS) requirements in coordination with HSE.
• Ensure compliance with relevant international electrical, I&C and safety standards and local regulations.
• Coordinate with process, mechanical, civil and HSE teams to ensure proper integration, routing, segregation and accessibility.
• Provide input on reliability, maintainability and spare parts strategy for E&I systems; recommend automation and diagnostics to improve uptime.
• Mentor junior E&I engineers and review deliverables from external consultants.

Requirements

Essential qualifications & experience

• BSc in Electrical, Control Systems, Instrumentation, or Electronic Engineering from a recognized university. MSc/PhD desirable.
• Minimum 15-20 years' industrial E&I experience spanning feasibility, FEED/RFQ, procurement and commissioning for process or heavy-industrial facilities.
• Direct experience in mineral processing, powder metallurgy, magnet production, or comparable process industries preferred.
• Proven experience specifying DCS/PLC architectures, SCADA/HMI systems, motor control systems, MCCs, medium/low-voltage distribution and power system studies.
• Experience preparing FEED-level E&I deliverables, RFQs and vendor technical evaluation.
• Strong knowledge of international standards (IEC, IEEE, ISA) and familiarity with local GCC regulatory requirements is desirable.
• Strong technical writing, stakeholder management and leadership skills; comfortable with multinational teams.
• Fluent in English.

• Outcome-driven: prioritizes timely delivery and consistently meets cost, schedule and quality requirements

Desirable

• Experience with energy optimization, integration of renewables or energy storage solutions.
• Experience with SIS design and safety standards (e.g., IEC 61511) and hazardous-area instrument selection.
• Experience working in the Middle East / GCC markets and knowledge of regional procurement practices.

Benefits

• A key technical role on a landmark national industrial programme
• Competitive consultancy remuneration (commensurate with experience)
• Riyadh-based role with travel as required.