Civil Engineer Resume Example for Jobs in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)

Civil Engineer Job Market in Riyadh

Riyadh is experiencing the largest construction boom in Saudi Arabia's history, driven by Vision 2030's ambitious infrastructure and development agenda. The Saudi capital alone has over $1.1 trillion in planned and active construction projects, making it one of the most significant civil engineering markets on the planet. For civil engineers, Riyadh in 2026 represents an extraordinary once-in-a-generation opportunity — the sheer scale and diversity of projects here are unmatched anywhere in the world.

The flagship projects are staggering in ambition. NEOM, the $500 billion mega-city on the Red Sea coast, is the world's largest construction project and recruits heavily from Riyadh. The Line, NEOM's 170-kilometer linear city, alone requires thousands of civil engineers for its unprecedented structural, geotechnical, and infrastructure challenges. Closer to Riyadh, Qiddiya — the entertainment capital being built on a site three times the size of Walt Disney World — includes theme parks, sports venues, a Formula 1 circuit, and resort infrastructure. The Red Sea Global tourism project involves developing 50+ islands and extensive coastal infrastructure from scratch.

Within Riyadh itself, the Riyadh Metro (one of the world's largest public transit projects under construction), the expansion of King Khalid International Airport, the development of the Diriyah Gate heritage and cultural district, and the construction of new residential communities to accommodate the capital's growing population provide a continuous stream of civil engineering work. The King Salman Park project, set to become one of the world's largest urban parks, and the Sports Boulevard, a 135-kilometer linear park and sports facility corridor, add further to the pipeline.

The construction sector in Saudi Arabia is the second-largest in the GCC and is expected to surpass the UAE as the region's largest market by value. This growth is creating unprecedented demand for civil engineers across all specializations — structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, and environmental engineering. The Saudi government has explicitly stated that the Kingdom needs hundreds of thousands of additional engineering professionals to deliver its project pipeline.

Why Riyadh for Civil Engineer Careers

Riyadh offers civil engineers the opportunity to work on projects that will define the 21st century's built environment. The scale is genuinely historic — comparisons to the building of the US interstate highway system or the post-war reconstruction of Europe are not hyperbole. Engineers working in Riyadh gain experience with the latest construction technologies, including 3D concrete printing, modular construction at scale, and AI-powered project management, which are being deployed on Vision 2030 projects.

The financial rewards reflect the demand. Saudi Arabia offers zero personal income tax, and construction sector packages in Riyadh typically include generous housing allowances, transportation, and family benefits. The cost of living in Riyadh is lower than Dubai, with larger housing options available for less, meaning civil engineers can achieve significant savings while enjoying a comfortable lifestyle.

Career progression in Riyadh can be accelerated compared to more established markets. The volume of projects means that engineers who perform well are promoted faster and given greater responsibility earlier in their careers. A senior engineer in Riyadh might manage a portfolio of projects that would take 20 years to accumulate in a slower market. This accelerated trajectory is recognized by international employers, making Riyadh experience a powerful career asset.

The professional community in Riyadh is also evolving rapidly. The Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) has strengthened professional standards and registration requirements, and major international engineering institutions (ICE, ASCE, IStructE) are expanding their Saudi chapters. Professional development opportunities through conferences, workshops, and CPD events have increased significantly.

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers in Riyadh

Saudi Binladin Group — one of the largest construction companies in the Middle East, Binladin Group has been involved in some of Saudi Arabia's most iconic projects, from the Holy Mosque expansions to major infrastructure works. Despite corporate restructuring in recent years, the group remains a dominant force in Saudi construction, employing thousands of civil engineers across active projects in Riyadh and beyond.

Bechtel — the American engineering giant has one of its largest international operations in Saudi Arabia, managing significant portions of the Riyadh Metro project and NEOM infrastructure works. Bechtel offers structured career development, international standards, and exposure to some of the world's most complex infrastructure projects.

NEOM (project delivery teams) — NEOM's project delivery organization, based partly in Riyadh and partly on-site, hires civil engineers for The Line's unprecedented structural challenges, Trojena's mountain resort infrastructure, and Oxagon's floating industrial city. These roles offer truly unique engineering experiences.

Dar Al-Handasah (Dar Group) — one of the largest engineering consultancies in the Middle East, Dar maintains a major Riyadh office providing design and project management services for infrastructure, buildings, and transportation projects across Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Aramco Projects — Aramco's massive capital expenditure program includes not just oil and gas facilities but also petrochemical complexes, corporate campuses, and community infrastructure. Civil engineers work on industrial structures, marine facilities, and utility networks serving the energy sector.

Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) — the government body overseeing Riyadh's development manages the implementation of the Riyadh Metro, public realm improvements, and the King Salman Park project. RCRC offers government-level benefits and involvement in projects shaping the capital's future.

City-Specific Resume Tips

Emphasize mega-project and infrastructure experience. Riyadh's market is dominated by large-scale projects. Experience with metro systems, airports, highways, master-planned communities, or any project exceeding $100 million in value should be featured prominently. Quantify project values in SAR or USD to communicate scale.

Highlight Saudi Council of Engineers registration. The Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) registration is increasingly required for engineering positions in Saudi Arabia. If you are registered, list it prominently. If not, mention your willingness and eligibility to register. Registration requires an accredited engineering degree and professional experience verification.

Include relevant code experience. Saudi construction uses a mix of international codes — SBC (Saudi Building Code, based on IBC), AASHTO for transportation, ACI 318 for concrete, AISC for steel, and project-specific specifications. List every code you have worked with, as projects in Riyadh may reference different standards depending on the client and consultant.

Mention NEOM or giga-project awareness. Even if you have not worked directly on Saudi mega-projects, demonstrating awareness of NEOM, The Line, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea project shows market knowledge and enthusiasm. If your previous work involved similar challenges (linear infrastructure, coastal development, large-scale foundations), draw explicit parallels.

Show team leadership. Riyadh projects involve very large engineering teams, often spanning multiple nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Highlighting your experience managing diverse teams, coordinating across disciplines, and resolving construction challenges collaboratively is important.

Include your Arabic proficiency level. While English is the primary technical language on most projects, Arabic communication skills are more important in Riyadh than in Dubai. Client meetings, government submissions, and site communication with local workers often involve Arabic.

Salary Expectations in Riyadh

Civil engineer salaries in Riyadh have risen substantially since the acceleration of Vision 2030 projects, with competition for experienced engineers driving compensation upward across all employer types.

Junior Civil Engineer (0-3 years): SAR 6,000-12,000 per month. Graduate engineers with relevant internship or co-op experience can find positions, though Saudization may limit some entry-level roles for expatriates.

Civil Engineer (4-7 years): SAR 12,000-22,000 per month. Engineers with hands-on project experience, particularly in structural design, geotechnical engineering, or infrastructure, are in strong demand. Site-based roles may include additional allowances.

Senior Civil Engineer (8-12 years): SAR 20,000-35,000 per month. Senior engineers leading design teams or major project components. NEOM and giga-project roles can command premiums of 15-25% above standard rates.

Principal Engineer / Project Director (12+ years): SAR 33,000-55,000+ per month. Leadership roles managing multi-billion SAR project portfolios. Some roles include performance bonuses tied to project milestones.

Riyadh construction packages are notable for their comprehensive benefits. Housing allowances of SAR 4,000-15,000 monthly (or furnished company accommodation) are standard. Annual flights for employee and family, children's education allowances (SAR 30,000-80,000 per year), private health insurance, and 30 days annual leave are typical. Site-based roles may offer additional per diem allowances, transportation, and meals. Some contractors provide compound-style accommodation with recreational facilities for remote project sites.

Work Culture in Riyadh

Working hours — office-based roles typically run Sunday to Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Construction sites operate longer hours, often 6 AM to 6 PM, with some projects running 24-hour shifts during critical phases. Site engineers may work 6-day weeks during peak construction periods. Summer heat restrictions apply (outdoor work prohibited between 12 PM and 3 PM from June to September), which shifts site schedules to early morning and evening operations.

Safety culture — Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in construction safety, particularly on giga-projects where international safety standards (ISO 45001, NEBOSH requirements) are rigorously enforced. International contractors like Bechtel bring world-class safety management systems. However, safety standards can vary between project sites, and civil engineers have a responsibility to uphold high safety standards regardless of the project context.

Hierarchy and decision-making — construction projects in Riyadh operate with clear hierarchies, and decision-making authority flows from project directors and clients. Junior and mid-level engineers should expect to follow established approval processes. However, the technical content of engineering work is generally collaborative, with design reviews and site problem-solving involving team discussion.

Cultural considerations — building sites in Riyadh have diverse workforces, with laborers from South and Southeast Asia, engineers from the Middle East and Western countries, and Saudi national site supervisors and engineers. Cultural sensitivity, respectful communication, and patience are important skills. Prayer times are observed on construction sites, and work schedules accommodate these requirements.

Visa & Work Permit Guide

Civil engineers require a standard Saudi employment visa (Iqama). The process is similar to other professions but with engineering-specific considerations.

Saudi Council of Engineers registration — SCE registration is increasingly required as part of the work visa process for engineering professionals. The registration involves verification of your engineering degree by the Saudi Ministry of Education, assessment of professional experience, and payment of registration fees. The process can take 4-8 weeks and should be initiated early.

Degree accreditation — Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education maintains a list of accredited universities. Engineering degrees from ABET-accredited programs, Washington Accord signatory programs, or UK-accredited programs are generally recognized. Degrees from non-accredited institutions may require additional assessment by SCE.

Site-specific requirements — civil engineers working on giga-projects like NEOM may require additional security clearance or access permits beyond the standard work visa. These are typically arranged by the employer but can add time to the onboarding process.

Riyadh-Tailored Civil Engineer Resume Section

Professional Summary

Professional Engineer (PE) and Saudi Council of Engineers registered Civil Engineer with 10+ years of experience in structural design and construction management for mega-infrastructure projects. Currently based in Riyadh with a valid Saudi Iqama. Specialized in reinforced concrete and steel structure design for transportation infrastructure, high-rise buildings, and industrial facilities. Managed project portfolios exceeding SAR 5 billion across metro systems, airport expansions, and master-planned communities in Saudi Arabia. Experienced in Saudi Building Code (SBC) compliance, multi-code design environments, and leading multinational engineering teams of 20+ professionals. Conversational Arabic proficiency with strong stakeholder communication skills.

Work Experience

Senior Structural Engineer — Bechtel (Riyadh Metro Project, Saudi Arabia)

March 2021 – Present

• Lead structural engineer for the design review and construction supervision of 12 underground metro stations on the Riyadh Metro Line 3, with combined project value exceeding SAR 8 billion, ensuring compliance with project-specific structural specifications and SBC seismic requirements
• Managed the design coordination between civil, structural, MEP, and architectural disciplines for cut-and-cover tunnel sections totaling 14 kilometers, resolving over 350 design clashes through BIM coordination and achieving zero structural RFIs during construction
• Directed the geotechnical foundation design for deep-excavation metro stations in challenging Riyadh ground conditions (limestone karst with cavities), designing secant pile walls up to 25 meters depth with dewatering systems managing 500 cubic meters per hour groundwater inflow
• Established the structural quality assurance program for 3 construction packages, conducting over 200 structural inspections monthly and maintaining a concrete cube failure rate below 0.5% across 180,000 cubic meters of concrete placed
• Mentored 8 Saudi national engineers through Bechtel's Saudization development program, designing individualized training plans covering structural design, site supervision, and international construction management standards

Civil Engineer — Dar Al-Handasah (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

June 2017 – February 2021

• Designed the structural system for a 42-storey commercial tower in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), including post-tensioned transfer beams spanning 18 meters to accommodate column-free banking halls at ground level
• Led the infrastructure design for a 2,500-unit residential community in North Riyadh, including road networks, stormwater drainage systems, and utility corridors serving a development area of 1.2 million square meters
• Conducted seismic analysis and design for a hospital complex in accordance with SBC 301 (based on IBC 2015 seismic provisions), designing base-isolated foundations to protect medical equipment and achieve Importance Factor IV classification
• Coordinated with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City on permit submissions for 8 major projects, navigating the municipality approval process and achieving first-time approval rate of 85% through thorough pre-submission compliance checks