Senior Water Engineering Manager

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. Your impact At Jacobs, we push the limits of what is possible to make the world smarter and more connected. We are seeking a Senior Water Engineering Manager (Water Transmission) to join our team at NEOM and provide technical leadership for the completion, commissioning, handover, and close-out of a major water transmission infrastructure project. About The Opportunity Lead the engineering oversight and technical assurance of a major water transmission project during its final stages of delivery. Working closely with project leadership, contractors, commissioning teams, operations representatives, and client stakeholders, you will drive the successful completion, testing & commissioning, operational readiness, and handover of critical water transmission assets. This role will focus on resolving outstanding technical issues, ensuring asset performance requirements are achieved, managing engineering close-out activities, and supporting the transition from construction to operations. Key Responsibilities • Lead engineering activities associated with the completion and close-out of water transmission assets, including pipelines, pumping stations, reservoirs, valve chambers, and associated infrastructure. • Provide technical leadership and oversight during testing, commissioning, performance validation, and system acceptance activities. • Ensure all water transmission systems meet design intent, operational requirements, regulatory standards, and project specifications. • Manage the resolution of outstanding engineering issues, technical queries, NCRs, punch-list items, and defects through to final close-out. • Coordinate engineering reviews of commissioning records, performance testing results, as-built documentation, and handover packages. • Work closely with contractors, consultants, and operations teams to support operational readiness and the successful transfer of assets. • Monitor contractor engineering performance and provide guidance to ensure timely delivery of close-out milestones. • Lead multidisciplinary coordination across civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls, GIS, and BIM teams. • Support risk assessments, constructability reviews, lessons learned, and asset optimization initiatives. • Ensure engineering documentation, technical approvals, asset registers, and turnover records are complete, accurate, and compliant with project requirements. Here's what you'll need • Experience Minimum 20 years of experience in water engineering, with substantial experience delivering large-scale water transmission, utilities, or infrastructure projects through construction, commissioning, and handover phases. • Technical Strong expertise in water transmission systems including large-diameter pipelines, pumping stations, reservoirs, hydraulic systems, pressure management, testing & commissioning, operational readiness, and asset handover. • Infrastructure Proven experience leading engineering activities on major water, utility, or linear infrastructure projects, preferably within complex stakeholder environments. • Digital Familiarity with engineering management systems, BIM environments, asset information systems, Autodesk Construction Cloud, and digital project delivery platforms. • Project & Commercial Strong understanding of contractor management, change management, project controls, risk management, claims awareness, and project completion processes. • Leadership Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, manage senior stakeholder relationships, and drive project outcomes in a complex delivery environment. • Behavioral Strategic thinker with strong communication, problem-solving, decision-making, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. • Education Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline. • Preferred Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional registration. Previous experience on major Middle East water infrastructure projects and asset handover programmes is highly desirable. Jacobs. A world where you can. From our inclusive employee networks to our positive mental health champions, we're committed to driving a culture of caring where you can be you. Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally, and together, our diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds power our collective strength. With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You'll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities to do good too, from participating in our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. Start your Jacobs career with a company that inspires and empowers you to deliver your best work so you can evolve, grow and succeed today and into tomorrow. From our inclusive employee networks to our positive mental health champions – we’re committed to driving a culture of caring where you can be you. Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally - and together, our diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds power our collective strength. We collaborate and share! By supporting one another, we all succeed. With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities to do good too – from participating in our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full-time basis, as required by the nature of their role. Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support. Show more