HVAC Engineer Job Description in the GCC: Roles, Requirements & Responsibilities

HVAC Engineer Role Overview

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) engineers are among the most essential professionals in the GCC, where extreme heat makes reliable climate control a non-negotiable requirement for every building, facility, and infrastructure project. With summer temperatures routinely exceeding 50°C and humidity levels above 90% along coastal cities, the Gulf region represents one of the world's most demanding environments for HVAC design and engineering.

The scale of HVAC work in the GCC is staggering. Saudi Arabia's giga-projects — NEOM, The Red Sea Development, AMAALA, Diriyah Gate, and Jeddah Tower — each require massive district cooling networks and precision climate control systems. The UAE's ongoing development in Dubai (Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai South, Expo City) and Abu Dhabi (Saadiyat Island, Yas Island expansions, Masdar City) drives continuous demand. Qatar's post-World Cup infrastructure repurposing and Kuwait's Silk City project add further opportunities.

Major employers include MEP contractors like Drake & Scull, Voltas, Leminar, Al Shirawi, and Kirby Building Systems; consultancies like Buro Happold, Atkins, WSP, and KEO International; and district cooling operators like Empower, Tabreed, and Saudi Tabreed. Facility management companies (Emrill, Farnek, Enova) also hire HVAC engineers for operations and maintenance roles.

Key Responsibilities

HVAC engineers in the GCC work across design, construction, and operations phases, with responsibilities varying by employer type:

Design & Engineering

• Perform cooling load calculations using software such as HAP (Carrier), Trace 700, or IES VE. GCC projects require careful consideration of extreme ambient conditions, solar heat gain, and high occupancy loads. Design conditions of 50°C dry-bulb and 35°C wet-bulb are standard for outdoor calculations in the Gulf.
• Design HVAC systems including central chilled water plants, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, air handling units (AHUs), fan coil units (FCUs), ductwork distribution, and exhaust/ventilation systems. System selection must account for the GCC's extreme temperature differentials and high humidity.
• Produce technical drawings and specifications using AutoCAD MEP, Revit MEP, and BIM coordination tools (Navisworks). BIM Level 2 compliance is now standard across most GCC projects, especially in UAE and Saudi Arabia.
• Design district cooling connections for buildings connected to centralized cooling networks. Empower (Dubai) and Tabreed (Abu Dhabi) have specific technical requirements for Energy Transfer Stations (ETS) that HVAC engineers must integrate into building designs.
• Ensure compliance with local codes and standards — Dubai Municipality (Al Sa'fat Green Building Rating), Abu Dhabi (Estidama Pearl Rating), Saudi Building Code (SBC), ASHRAE standards (particularly 90.1 for energy efficiency and 62.1 for ventilation), and CIBSE guidelines.

Construction & Commissioning

• Review shop drawings and submittals from HVAC subcontractors, ensuring compliance with design intent and specifications. Coordinate with architectural, structural, electrical, and plumbing disciplines to resolve clashes.
• Supervise HVAC installation on site — ductwork fabrication and installation, piping systems, equipment placement, insulation, and controls wiring. Quality control of installation is critical in the GCC where workmanship standards vary across contractors.
• Conduct testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) of air and water systems. Commission chiller plants, AHUs, and building management system (BMS) controls to ensure systems perform to design specifications.
• Manage HVAC procurement — prepare tender documents, evaluate bids, and recommend equipment from approved manufacturers (Carrier, Trane, Daikin, Johnson Controls, McQuay). Material approval processes in the GCC can be lengthy and require early engagement.

Operations & Maintenance

• Manage preventive maintenance programs for chiller plants, cooling towers, AHUs, FCUs, and BMS systems. Reliability is paramount — HVAC failure in GCC summer conditions creates immediate safety risks.
• Optimize energy performance — HVAC systems account for 60–70% of total building energy consumption in the GCC. Engineers are expected to identify and implement energy-saving measures such as chiller sequencing optimization, variable speed drives, demand-controlled ventilation, and heat recovery.
• Troubleshoot system performance issues including inadequate cooling, high humidity, poor air quality, noise complaints, and uneven temperature distribution. Root cause analysis skills are essential.
• Manage building management system (BMS) programming and optimization. Siemens, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, and Schneider Electric are the dominant BMS platforms in the GCC.

Required Qualifications

Education

A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering is the standard requirement for HVAC engineer positions in the GCC. Some employers accept degrees in Electrical Engineering or Building Services Engineering with relevant HVAC specialization. A master's degree in Energy Engineering, Building Physics, or MEP Design is preferred for senior design roles. Degrees must be attested for work visa purposes across all GCC countries.

Technical Skills

GCC HVAC engineers need a strong combination of design, software, and practical skills:

• Design Software: HAP (Carrier Hourly Analysis Program), Trace 700/3D, IES VE, or EnergyPlus for load calculations and energy modeling. Proficiency in at least one is mandatory.
• CAD/BIM: AutoCAD MEP and Revit MEP are essential. Navisworks for clash detection. BIM 360 or Procore for project coordination. BIM proficiency is non-negotiable for consultancy and design roles.
• Standards Knowledge: ASHRAE (55, 62.1, 90.1, 170), SMACNA duct construction standards, CIBSE guides (A, B, C), and local codes (Dubai Green Building, Estidama, SBC).
• Equipment Knowledge: Centrifugal and screw chillers, cooling towers, AHUs (draw-through and blow-through), VRF/VRV systems, fan coil units, ductwork (galvanized steel, pre-insulated), and piping systems (chilled water, condenser water, refrigerant).
• Controls & BMS: Understanding of DDC controls, BACnet/Modbus protocols, and BMS programming concepts. Hands-on BMS experience is highly valued for O&M roles.
• Energy Auditing: LEED AP, Estidama Pearl Qualified Professional, or CIBSE Low Carbon Consultant qualification demonstrates energy efficiency expertise.

Experience & Salary

• Junior HVAC Engineer (0-3 years): Assisting with load calculations, drafting, and site supervision under guidance. Typical salary: AED 6,000–12,000/month.
• HVAC Engineer (3-7 years): Independent design capability, site coordination, and project delivery. Typical salary: AED 12,000–22,000/month.
• Senior HVAC Engineer (7-12 years): Lead designer, project manager, or technical authority for complex projects. Typical salary: AED 22,000–35,000/month.
• HVAC Manager/Head of MEP (12+ years): Department leadership, business development, and strategic technical decisions. Typical salary: AED 35,000–55,000+/month.

Preferred Qualifications

These qualifications set top candidates apart in the GCC HVAC market:

• Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) status — demonstrates high technical competence and is valued by consultancies and government clients.
• LEED AP BD+C — green building certification is increasingly required as the GCC mandates energy efficiency in new construction. Estidama qualification is a plus for Abu Dhabi projects.
• GCC experience — understanding of extreme design conditions (50°C+ ambient), district cooling integration, sand/dust filtration requirements, and local authority approval processes.
• District cooling expertise — design and commissioning of ETS connections, chilled water networks, and thermal energy storage. This is a high-value specialization in the GCC.
• Healthcare or data center HVAC experience — hospitals (ASHRAE 170, HTM 03-01) and data centers require precision environmental control. These sectors are growing rapidly in the GCC.
• Arabic language skills — helpful for interacting with site workers, municipal authorities, and Arabic-language correspondence.

Work Environment & Benefits

HVAC engineer roles in the GCC offer strong compensation packages reflecting the specialized nature of the work:

• Base salary plus annual bonus (1–2 months, sometimes project-completion bonuses for contractors)
• Housing allowance — AED 4,000–10,000/month depending on seniority and city
• Annual flight allowance for employee and dependents
• Health insurance for employee and family
• 30 days annual leave plus public holidays
• End-of-service gratuity per local labor law
• Professional development — ASHRAE membership, conference attendance (ASHRAE Winter/Summer, Big 5 Dubai), and certification support
• Company vehicle or transport allowance for site-based roles

The work environment depends on the role phase. Design engineers work primarily in office environments with regular site visits. Site engineers split time between site offices and active construction zones, often in extreme heat during summer months. O&M engineers work within facility plant rooms and offices. Standard working hours are Sunday–Thursday, though construction-phase roles may require extended hours and Friday work to meet project deadlines.

How to Stand Out as a Candidate

The GCC HVAC market attracts engineers from South Asia, the Philippines, the Middle East, and Europe. To differentiate yourself:

• Specify your project portfolio — “Designed HVAC for a 60-story mixed-use tower, 15,000 TR cooling load” is far more compelling than “Designed HVAC systems for buildings.” Include building types, tonnage, system types, and project values.
• Highlight software proficiency — List your exact software skills (HAP, Revit MEP, Navisworks, EnergyPlus) with proficiency levels. Employers filter candidates on these tools.
• Show energy efficiency outcomes — “Achieved Estidama 3 Pearl rating” or “Reduced chiller plant energy consumption by 22% through VSD optimization” demonstrates value beyond basic design.
• Prepare for technical interviews — Expect questions on psychrometrics, chiller plant design, duct sizing methods, and troubleshooting scenarios specific to GCC conditions.
• Optimize your resume for ATS — Include keywords: HVAC design, cooling load calculation, chiller plant, BIM, Revit MEP, ASHRAE, district cooling, commissioning, and energy efficiency.

Sample HVAC Engineer Job Description Template

Use this template to understand what GCC employers are looking for and to benchmark your qualifications:

Position: HVAC Engineer

Department: MEP / Mechanical Engineering
Reports to: MEP Manager / Head of Mechanical
Location: [City], [Country]
Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced HVAC Engineer to join our MEP team for [project name/portfolio]. You will be responsible for the design [or supervision/commissioning] of HVAC systems for [describe projects — commercial, residential, healthcare, hospitality] with a combined cooling capacity of [X] TR across [location].

What You'll Do

• Perform cooling load calculations using HAP/Trace 700 for GCC ambient conditions
• Design chilled water systems, AHU/FCU selections, ductwork distribution, and ventilation systems
• Produce design drawings and 3D models using Revit MEP with BIM Level 2 coordination
• Ensure compliance with ASHRAE, SMACNA, local building codes, and green building requirements
• Coordinate with architectural, structural, and electrical disciplines to resolve design clashes
• Review shop drawings and material submittals from subcontractors
• Support procurement through technical evaluation of equipment bids
• Supervise installation and commissioning activities on site as required

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
• [X]+ years of HVAC design/site experience, minimum [Y] years in the GCC
• Proficiency in HAP or Trace 700 and Revit MEP
• Strong knowledge of ASHRAE standards and GCC building codes
• Experience with chilled water systems, VRF, AHUs, and district cooling connections
• Familiarity with green building rating systems (LEED, Estidama, Al Sa'fat)

Nice to Have

• Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) status
• LEED AP BD+C or Estidama Pearl Qualified Professional
• Healthcare or data center HVAC experience
• BMS/controls knowledge (Siemens, Honeywell, JCI)
• Arabic language proficiency

What We Offer

• Competitive tax-free salary + annual bonus
• Housing allowance
• Annual flight tickets
• Health insurance for family
• 30 days annual leave
• Professional development budget
• Company vehicle (site-based roles)

Tailoring Your Resume for HVAC Engineer Roles

Your resume should demonstrate technical depth and GCC-relevant experience. Here is how to position yourself:

1. Lead with a project summary table: Create a brief table listing your key projects with columns for project name, location, type (commercial/residential/healthcare), cooling capacity (TR), system type, and your role. This gives recruiters instant insight into your experience level and sector exposure.
2. Quantify everything: Cooling loads designed (in TR), project values, building areas (sqm), number of floors, energy savings achieved. GCC employers need to match your experience scale to their project requirements.
3. List software with proficiency: “HAP — Expert, Revit MEP — Proficient, AutoCAD — Expert, Navisworks — Proficient, EnergyPlus — Basic.” This is more useful than a generic “Proficient in HVAC design software.”
4. Separate design and site experience: If you have both, make it clear which projects involved design and which involved site supervision/commissioning. GCC employers often hire specifically for one phase or the other.
5. Highlight GCC-specific experience: District cooling, extreme climate design, Estidama/LEED compliance, and local authority approvals should feature prominently if you have them.