Job Title: Material Engineer Project: King Salman International Airport (KSIA) – Terminal 6, Substructure Works Client: King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC, PIF) Joint Venture: CCECC – Al-Harbi PMC: Bechtel (Delivery Partner) Lead Architect: Foster + Partners Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Employment Type: Full-time, Site-based Reports To: QA/QC Manager Direct Reports: Laboratory Supervisor, Laboratory Technicians Direct Interface: Procurement Team, QA/QC Engineers, Structural Engineer, Batching Plant Manager Position Overview The Material Engineer serves as the JV’s technical authority for all construction materials on the KSIA T6 Substructure project. Reporting to the QA/QC Manager, this role governs the compliance, testing, and certification of all permanent and temporary works materials. The successful candidate will manage the on-site laboratory operations, oversee concrete mix designs—particularly for the 2.5m mass concrete raft—and ensure strict adherence to Bechtel DP protocols and international standards. This position is critical to mitigating material-related risks and guaranteeing the long-term structural integrity of the terminal foundations. Key Responsibilities 1. Laboratory Leadership & Technical Governance Lab Management: Direct the on-site laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 principles (or Bechtel-approved internal standards). Oversee the maintenance, calibration, and certification of all testing equipment (compression machines, ovens, sieves, balances) per ASTM and SASO requirements. Testing Regimes: Define sampling frequencies and testing methodologies for soil, aggregates, concrete, steel reinforcement, grout, and waterproofing membranes. Ensure all testing aligns with approved Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs). Data Integrity: Review and authorize all laboratory test results. Manage the upload of Material Test Reports (MTRs) and Certificates of Compliance (CoC) to the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) within mandated timelines. Third-Party Coordination: Liaise with Bechtel-approved third-party laboratories for specialized testing (e.g., petrographic analysis, chemical admixture compatibility) and manage external audit readiness. 2. Concrete Technology & Mix Design Management Mix Design Development: Lead the development, trial batches, and approval of all concrete mix designs, with a specialized focus on the Mass Concrete Raft Foundation. Optimize mixes for pumpability, strength gain, durability, and thermal performance in Riyadh’s extreme climate. Batching Plant Oversight: Monitor central mixing plants to ensure strict adherence to approved mix designs. Manage batch tolerances and adjust mix parameters (water/cement ratio, admixture dosages) within allowable limits based on ambient conditions. Performance Monitoring: Analyze 28-day strength trends and thermal data logs. Implement corrective actions for any deviations from the Thermal Control Plan or specified strength curves. 3. Material Compliance & Supply Chain Interface Submittal Review: Conduct technical evaluations of supplier submittals, including Mill Test Certificates (MTCs), Manufacturer’s Data Reports (MDRs), and Method Statements. Ensure alignment with Project Specifications and SASO standards. Source Approval: Support the Procurement team in qualifying material sources (quarries, cement mills, steel mills). Conduct pre-shipment inspections or source audits as required by Bechtel DP. Non-Conformance Management: Lead the technical investigation of material failures (e.g., low cylinder breaks, rebar grade discrepancies). Chair Material Review Board (MRB) meetings to determine the disposition of non-conforming materials (rework, repair, or rejection). 4. Bechtel DP & Stakeholder Coordination Specification Compliance: Ensure all materials and testing procedures comply with Bechtel Project Specifications, ACI, ASTM, and SBC (Saudi Building Code) requirements. Technical Queries: Prepare Technical Queries (TQs) regarding material specification conflicts or site condition challenges. Provide expert input on Requests for Information (RFIs) related to material substitutions or alternative products. Precast Coordination: Collaborate with off-site precast yards to verify mix designs, curing protocols, and quality control measures for beams and slabs destined for T6. Qualifications & Requirements Education & Certification: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Materials Science, or Concrete Technology. A Master’s Degree in a related field is highly preferred. Valid Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) registration (Grade A/Major) is mandatory. Professional Certifications: ACI Concrete Mix Design Technician or ACI Concrete Plant Manager (CPM). ACI Concrete Laboratory Testing Technician – Grade I & II. LEED Accredited Professional (Preferred for sustainability compliance). ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor certification is a plus. Experience: Minimum 10–12 years of progressive materials engineering experience in heavy civil infrastructure. Airport Project Mandate: Demonstrated experience on major international airport terminals or large-scale infrastructure, specifically managing materials for deep foundations or massive concrete structures. Mass Concrete Expertise: Proven track record in managing concrete pours exceeding 2.0m in depth, including thermal control strategy implementation and troubleshooting. Lab Management: Extensive experience managing a high-capacity on-site or commercial materials testing laboratory. PMC Exposure: Demonstrable history of working under Bechtel or equivalent Tier-1 PMCs (e.g., Fluor, Jacobs). Must be intimately familiar with IPMS, DP workflows, and formal material submittal processes. Local Context: Minimum 5 years of experience in the KSA/GCC. Deep knowledge of local aggregate sources, SASO certification requirements, and Municipality standards. Technical Skills: Standards Mastery: Expert knowledge of ACI 301/318, ASTM C39/C94/C143/C231, AASHTO, SBC 301, and SASO standards. Software Proficiency: Advanced skills in MS Excel (for statistical analysis and trending); proficient in Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC); familiarity with concrete mix design software (e.g., StonemontQC, CommandQC). Testing Acumen: Hands-on expertise in operating and troubleshooting laboratory equipment (compression testing machines, automatic levels, rapid chloride permeability testers). Core Competencies: Analytical Rigor: Exceptional ability to analyze complex test data, identify trends, and diagnose root causes of material failures. Technical Authority: Ability to defend material selections and test results authoritatively to Bechtel PMC and KSIADC Client representatives. Leadership: Strong mentorship skills to develop local talent (supporting Nitaqat) and manage a multi-disciplinary lab team. Communication: Superior technical writing skills for reports and submittals; clear verbal communication in high-pressure scenarios. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Lab Compliance: 100% adherence to Bechtel DP calibration schedules and SASO accreditation requirements; zero audit findings related to lab procedure. Strength Reliability: >98% of concrete test cylinders meeting or exceeding specified 28-day compressive strength. Mix Efficiency: Optimal concrete mix designs resulting in <2% material wastage due to over-design or rejection. Submittal Velocity: 100% of material submittals technically cleared within Bechtel DP review cycles. Zero Failures: No structural defects attributed to material non-compliance or improper mix design.
