Principal Materials Engineer

Job Purpose • The Principal Materials Engineer is responsible for leading and managing the materials engineering function across municipal transportation infrastructure projects, including roads, highways, bridges, storm water drainage systems, utility corridors, and associated public realm developments. The role provides expert technical leadership in material selection, testing, quality assurance, pavement engineering, asset sustainability, and compliance with municipal, national, and international engineering standards. Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership • Lead the development and implementation of materials engineering policies, standards, specifications, and procedures for municipal transportation and storm water infrastructure projects. • Act as the subject matter expert (SME) for pavement materials, geotechnical materials, concrete, asphalt, aggregates, soil stabilization, drainage infrastructure materials, and emerging construction technologies. • Provide strategic technical guidance on material selection, life-cycle performance, sustainability, and resilience requirements. • Review and approve engineering materials specifications, technical submissions, material design mixes, and compliance documentation. Roadworks & Pavement Engineering • Oversee evaluation and approval of asphalt mixtures, pavement layers, aggregates, subgrade treatments, and road construction materials. • Review pavement design parameters and material performance criteria for roads, highways, intersections, tunnels, and transportation infrastructure projects. • Lead investigations into pavement failures, material deficiencies, and performance issues, recommending corrective measures. • Monitor pavement performance and recommend innovative solutions to enhance durability and lifecycle value. Storm Water Infrastructure Materials • Provide technical oversight on materials used in storm water drainage systems, culverts, channels, pipelines, manholes, pumping stations, retention systems, and associated structures. • Review and approve concrete mix designs, precast products, coatings, waterproofing systems, pipe materials, geosynthetics, and corrosion protection measures. • Ensure materials used within drainage assets comply with design, hydraulic, environmental, and durability requirements. • Support storm water asset management initiatives through lifecycle material performance assessments. Quality Assurance & Quality Control • Establish and maintain QA/QC frameworks, laboratory testing requirements, and material inspection procedures. • Review laboratory testing programs and validate compliance with approved specifications and standards. • Audit contractors, consultants, suppliers, and testing laboratories to ensure quality compliance. • Lead investigations into material non-conformances and implement corrective and preventive actions. • Monitor construction quality and material performance through inspections, testing, and technical audits. Project Management & Delivery Support • Provide materials engineering support throughout project planning, design, procurement, construction, and asset handover phases. • Review contractor and consultant submissions related to materials approvals, testing reports, method statements, and quality documentation. • Participate in design review committees and technical evaluation panels. • Assess value engineering proposals and alternative materials to optimize project outcomes. • Support procurement activities related to engineering materials and construction products. Research, Innovation & Sustainability • Evaluate emerging materials, technologies, and international best practices applicable to transportation and storm water infrastructure. • Promote sustainable construction materials and circular economy initiatives. • Lead research programs related to pavement preservation, recycled materials, low-carbon concrete, sustainable drainage materials, and infrastructure resilience. • Develop technical recommendations to improve asset performance and reduce lifecycle costs. Compliance & Governance • Ensure compliance with municipality regulations, transportation authorities' standards, environmental requirements, and relevant engineering codes. • Monitor industry standards and regulations affecting materials engineering practices. • Develop and update technical guidelines, specifications, and material approval processes. • Support internal and external audits related to quality and engineering compliance. Stakeholder Management • Liaise with government entities, consultants, contractors, utility providers, manufacturers, suppliers, and regulatory authorities. • Represent the municipality in technical committees, industry working groups, and engineering forums. • Provide expert advice and technical presentations to senior management and project stakeholders. • Resolve complex technical disputes relating to material quality, performance, and compliance. Leadership & People Management • Lead, mentor, and develop materials engineers, inspectors, laboratory personnel, and technical specialists. • Review team performance and establish development plans. • Promote knowledge sharing and technical excellence across the organization. • Build organizational capability in materials engineering and infrastructure asset management. Qualifications Education Essential • Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering, Construction Engineering, or related discipline. Preferred • Master's Degree in Materials Engineering, Pavement Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field. Professional Certifications Preferably One Or More Of The Following: • Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). • PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification. • Certified Pavement Engineer or equivalent specialization. • Relevant material testing, asphalt, concrete, or quality management certifications. • Membership with recognized engineering bodies. Experience Essential • Minimum 12-15 years of progressive experience in materials engineering. • Minimum 5 years in a senior or leadership capacity. • Extensive experience in municipal roads, highways, transportation infrastructure, and storm water drainage projects. • Proven experience managing material approvals, laboratory testing programs, quality systems, and engineering compliance. • Experience working with government, municipality, transportation, or infrastructure authorities. Preferred • Experience in large-scale infrastructure and urban development projects. • Experience with asset management and lifecycle performance evaluation. • GCC or Middle East municipal infrastructure experience. Knowledge • Road and pavement engineering principles. • Asphalt and concrete materials technology. • Geotechnical and earthwork materials. • Storm water drainage infrastructure materials. • Material durability and lifecycle assessment. • Construction quality management systems. • Infrastructure asset management principles.

Essential: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering, Construction Engineering, or related discipline. Minimum 12-15 years of progressive experience in materials engineering; minimum 5 years in a senior or leadership capacity. Extensive experience in municipal roads, highways, transportation infrastructure, and storm water drainage projects. Proven experience managing material approvals, laboratory testing programs, quality systems, and engineering compliance. Experience working with government, municipality, transportation, or infrastructure authorities. Preferred: Master’s Degree in Materials Engineering, Pavement Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field. Professional certifications: PE or CEng, PMP or PRINCE2 or equivalent, Certified Pavement Engineer or equivalent, relevant material testing, asphalt, concrete, or quality management certifications; membership with recognized engineering bodies. GCC or Middle East municipal infrastructure experience.

Lead and manage the materials engineering function across municipal transportation infrastructure projects (roads, highways, bridges, storm water drainage, utility corridors, and public realm developments). Provide technical leadership in material selection, testing, QA/QC, pavement engineering, asset sustainability, and compliance with standards. Develop and implement materials engineering policies, standards, specifications, and procedures. Act as SME for pavement, geotechnical, concrete, asphalt, aggregates, soil stabilization, drainage materials, and emerging technologies. Review and approve material specifications, technical submissions, design mixes, and compliance documentation. Oversee evaluation and approval of asphalt mixtures, pavement layers, aggregates, subgrade treatments, and road construction materials. Review pavement design parameters and material performance criteria. Lead investigations into pavement failures and material deficiencies; monitor performance and propose improvements. Provide oversight on storm water materials; review concrete mixes, precast, coatings, waterproofing, pipe materials, geosynthetics, corrosion protection. Establish QA/QC frameworks, laboratory testing, audits of contractors and laboratories, and corrective actions. Support project phases from planning to handover with materials submissions and testing reports. Promote sustainability, lifecycle cost reduction, and asset management through material performance assessments. Ensure compliance with regulations and standards; participate in design review and technical evaluation; engage with stakeholders and committees; mentor and develop team. Lead research on pavement preservation, recycled materials, low-carbon concrete, and sustainable drainage materials.