Design Manager- Smart Cities

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Project Overview:

Expo 2030 Riyadh is a global platform where countries, organizations, and individuals will come together to collaborate. Under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow,” the Expo promotes sustainable development, innovation, and transformative thinking. The event will be held from October 2030 to March 2031 and is expected to welcome over 40 million visits.

The 6 km² Masterplan outlines a comprehensive framework for participation and infrastructure at the Expo. The exhibition space, totaling 491,100 m² GFA, can accommodate up to 197 participating countries and 29 international organizations.

Working collaboratively with our customer, Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC), Bechtel will manage the infrastructure program which comprises early works, utilities, and publicly accessible spaces like streets and parks. Our scope on the six-square-kilometer site will transition into a mixed-use legacy development to serve the community after the six-month event is over. The project’s master plan leverages international sustainability standards for urban afforestation, treated water, and energy sources.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Technical Director, in this role, you will lead the planning, coordination, and execution of design strategies for smart city initiatives. This role involves integrating urban design, digital infrastructure, sustainability, and citizen-centric technologies to create intelligent, connected, and resilient urban environments.

You will lead and be accountable for the performance of the customer’s appointed Design Consultants in the delivery of the smart cities design in accordance with budgetary, schedule and quality requirements.

Additionally, you will establish and maintain the Engineering Programme Management plans and procedures, ensure compliance with the Customer’s project governance requirements, ensure that the technical design deliverables comply with the Customer’s requirements, stakeholders’ requirements, local and international building code requirements and deputize for the Technical Director, when required, as the primary Delivery Partner representative on technical matters to the Customer. You will coordinate and collaborate with the vertical assets PMC and their Project Engineering teams.

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead the design development of smart city projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and international standards.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams including architects, engineers, urban planners, and technology consultants.
• Oversee design phases from concept to detailed design, ensuring quality, innovation, and feasibility.
• Integrate smart technologies (IoT, AI, data platforms) into urban infrastructure and public services.
• Ensure compliance with local and international codes, sustainability frameworks, and smart city benchmarks.
• Manage design documentation, approvals, and change control processes.
• Support procurement and tendering processes by preparing design briefs and technical specifications.
• Monitor design progress, resolve conflicts, and ensure timely delivery of design packages.
• Possesses full technical responsibility for interpreting, organizing, executing, and coordinating the delivery of the infrastructure design.
• Establish and maintain a high-quality multi-discipline team of engineering specialists and provide overall leadership, direction and motivation
• Ensure compliance with the Customer’s project governance procedures & requirements, including KPI’s.
• Lead the review of relevant design deliverables, including constructability, value engineering and safety in design considerations​.
• Management and accountability for the timely delivery of all design submissions​.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in architecture, Urban Design, Civil Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in design management, with at least 5 years in smart city or large-scale urban infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of smart city principles, digital infrastructure, and sustainable urbanism.
• Experience with BIM, GIS, and smart city platforms is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with international standards (e.g., ISO 37120, LEED, WELL, PAS 180/181).
• Proven leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong varied experience in creating, developing and leading teams.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal relationship skills at varying levels of the organization.
• Strong leadership, foster teamwork across multidisciplinary teams, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure with changing priorities and deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to effectively influence outcomes and escalate issues appropriately.
• Role model the Bechtel Visions, Values, & Commitments (VV&C) and must be a strong advocate of our Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DE&I) efforts and initiatives.
• Previous, related, working experience in the middle east is highly preferred. 
• Previous experience and expert knowledge of KSA labor laws and working practices and requirements is highly preferred.
• Experience of working within a multicultural, highly diverse team environment is essential.
• Experience of structuring Smart City initiatives into appropriate tiers to ensure prioritization and alignment with EXPO objectives
• Possesses working knowledge and production ability with computer-aided drafting software, such as AutoCAD and Revit.
• Possesses a working knowledge of BIM processes, including experience designing projects in BIM platforms, particularly Revit and Navisworks.

Total Rewards/Benefits:

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world's toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive.  Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards

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