Director - Systems and Rolling Stock

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

The project:

This is an opportunity to work on one of the largest programmes in Saudi Arabia. This unique project consists of major mixed-use development including sports facilities, entertainment and arts along with all associated infrastructure.

Mace is one of the delivery partners requiring high-calibre and experienced professionals to lead integrated teams throughout each phase of the project.

As the Director of Systems & Rolling Stock, you will provide the technical vision, engineering leadership, and governance required to deliver a world-class, fully automated (GoA4) driverless rail system. Operating client-side within a highly dynamic, developer-led environment, you will bridge the gap between master planning, and core rail systems.

You will own the technical integrity of the system, driving decisions across the entire lifecycle—from concept and design management to procurement and eventual integration. A critical part of your mandate is managing technical consultants, ensuring internal governance framework compliance, and managing alignment with interfacing developers.

You’ll be responsible for:

• System Ownership: Serve as the ultimate technical authority for all railway sub-systems, including Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) signaling (CBTC), rolling stock, power supply/traction, telecommunications, SCADA, and depot equipment.

• Interface Architecture: Lead the integration of rail infrastructure into master-planned developer sectors, ensuring civil, structural, and architectural interfaces match the system's spatial and functional needs.

• Innovation & Future-Proofing: Ensure the system leverages modern, reliable automated rail technologies optimized for the unique environmental conditions of Saudi Arabia.
• Consultant Oversight: Act as the primary client interface managing international engineering consultants, Project Management Officers (PMOs), and specialized shadow operators. Hold partners accountable to strict deliverables, quality, and timelines.
• Internal Governance: Establish and execute technical review gateways, safety assurance protocols (RAMS), and configuration control boards. Ensure all systems engineering processes comply with international standards and local regulations.
• Risk & Value Engineering: Identify technical risks early and implement mitigation strategies. Run rigorous value engineering exercises to optimize capital expenditure without compromising safety, capacity, or performance.
• Stakeholder Integration: Coordinate directly with internal and external real estate development teams to align the rail system's alignment, station footprints, and utility corridors with adjacent mixed-use developments.
• Commercial Mindset: Navigate a developer-led environment by understanding how delivery timelines, construction phasing, and rail boundaries impact the broader commercial master plan.
• Conflict Resolution: Resolve complex technical interface conflicts between transit systems and real estate assets, protecting the rail system’s operational performance while facilitating developer progress.

You’ll need to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering. A Master’s degree or relevant professional certifications (e.g., Chartered Engineer, PMP) is highly advantageous.
• Recognised professional membership and Chartered Engineer status, or an equivalent internationally recognised professional registration.
• 20 years’ relevant experience across land transport design, construction and/or operations and maintenance programmes, including at least five years in a senior leadership role within a major-project environment.
• Middle East experience is advantageous.
• Proven track record of delivering fully automated, driverless rail transit systems (GoA4 / CBTC). Deep technical understanding of rolling stock procurement, systems integration, and automated depot operations is essential.
• Proven experience developing and delivering safety assurance evidence within safety-critical transport environments.
• Demonstrated experience working within developer-led, giga-project, or complex multi-stakeholder real estate environments.
• Experience navigating the regulatory landscape, environmental challenges, and supply chain dynamics of Saudi Arabia or the wider GCC region is preferred.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse, and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of well-being in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables and strategic outcomes and build long-term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfill all the criteria, please apply, as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

#LI-Onsite
#LI-JM2