Mechanical Engineer Resume Example for Jobs in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)

Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Jeddah

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's commercial capital and gateway to the Red Sea, has emerged as one of the most dynamic markets for mechanical engineers in the GCC region. The city's strategic position as the kingdom's primary port city and its proximity to major industrial zones in Yanbu and Rabigh have created sustained demand for mechanical engineering talent across multiple sectors. With Vision 2030 driving unprecedented infrastructure development, Jeddah offers mechanical engineers a unique combination of traditional industrial opportunities and cutting-edge megaproject work.

The mechanical engineering landscape in Jeddah is shaped by several key economic drivers. The city's massive desalination infrastructure, including the Shoaiba and Ras Al-Khair plants, requires ongoing engineering support and modernization. The petrochemical corridor stretching from Jeddah to Yanbu, home to SABIC and Saudi Aramco facilities, employs thousands of mechanical engineers in process design, maintenance, and optimization roles. Additionally, the real estate and construction boom driven by projects like the Jeddah Tower, the Corniche redevelopment, and the King Abdulaziz International Airport expansion has created strong demand for HVAC, MEP, and structural mechanical engineering expertise.

The Red Sea Global project, one of Vision 2030's flagship tourism developments, has become a major employer of mechanical engineers in the Jeddah region. This USD 16 billion development spanning 28,000 square kilometers along the Red Sea coast requires mechanical engineers for resort infrastructure, desalination systems, renewable energy installations, and sustainable building systems. Engineers working on this project gain exposure to cutting-edge green building technologies and sustainable design practices.

Jeddah's industrial sector extends well beyond oil and gas. The city hosts major manufacturing operations including Al Zamil Industrial Investment Company, Saudi Cable Company, and Al Rushaid Group. The King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), located just north of Jeddah, has attracted manufacturing investments from companies like SANY Group and Mars Inc., creating additional mechanical engineering opportunities in factory design, automation, and production optimization.

Top Employers Hiring Mechanical Engineers in Jeddah

Saudi Aramco (Jeddah Operations) — While headquartered in Dhahran, Aramco maintains significant operations in the Western Region. Mechanical engineers here work on refinery operations, pipeline infrastructure, and the company's ambitious downstream expansion projects. Aramco offers some of the most competitive packages in the kingdom, with comprehensive benefits including housing, education allowances, and generous leave policies.

SABIC (Yanbu/Jeddah) — The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation operates major petrochemical facilities in the Jeddah-Yanbu corridor. Mechanical engineers at SABIC work on process equipment design, reliability engineering, and plant modernization projects. The company is known for its structured career development programs and international rotation opportunities.

Red Sea Global — This giga-project developer is actively hiring mechanical engineers for its luxury resort and infrastructure development along the Red Sea coast. Roles span MEP design, sustainable energy systems, and construction supervision for what will become one of the world's most ambitious tourism destinations.

Zamil Industrial Investment Company — Headquartered in Jeddah, Zamil Industrial manufactures HVAC systems, steel structures, and industrial insulation products. Mechanical engineers here work in product development, manufacturing process optimization, and quality control. The company offers excellent exposure to both design and production engineering.

Fluor Corporation and Jacobs Engineering — These international EPC contractors maintain significant offices in Jeddah to support Western Region projects. Mechanical engineers at these firms work on large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects, gaining exposure to international engineering standards and practices while working within the Saudi market context.

City-Specific Resume Tips for Jeddah

Highlight Saudization compliance readiness. Jeddah employers operating under Nitaqat regulations value candidates who understand and support localization goals. If you have experience mentoring Saudi engineers or contributing to knowledge transfer programs, feature this prominently on your resume.

Include Saudi Council of Engineers registration. Professional registration with the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) is increasingly required for engineering roles in Jeddah. If you hold this registration, or an equivalent from your home country that qualifies for reciprocal recognition, list it in your credentials section.

Emphasize heat and climate considerations. Jeddah's extreme heat and humidity present unique engineering challenges. Experience with high-temperature materials, corrosion-resistant designs, HVAC systems for extreme climates, and thermal stress analysis is particularly valued by Jeddah employers.

Showcase project scale with metrics. Jeddah's engineering market is dominated by large-scale projects. Quantify your experience with project budgets (in SAR or USD), team sizes managed, equipment capacities designed, and efficiency improvements achieved. Metrics-driven resumes resonate strongly with Saudi hiring managers.

List relevant software certifications. Saudi employers value specific tool proficiency. List your experience with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, ANSYS, ASPEN HYSYS, SAP Plant Maintenance, and any industry-specific simulation tools. Include version numbers and certification dates where applicable.

Salary Expectations in Jeddah

Junior Mechanical Engineer (0-3 years): SAR 7,000-14,000 per month. Entry-level positions in Jeddah typically include housing allowance and transportation allowance on top of base salary. Many companies offer furnished accommodation for expatriate engineers.

Mid-Level Mechanical Engineer (4-8 years): SAR 15,000-28,000 per month. This range varies significantly by sector, with oil and gas companies offering the upper end and construction firms typically in the middle range. Specialized skills in pipeline engineering or rotating equipment can command premium salaries.

Senior Mechanical Engineer (8-15 years): SAR 25,000-42,000 per month. Senior roles at companies like Aramco or SABIC can exceed SAR 40,000 when including allowances. Engineering management positions overseeing multiple projects or teams typically fall in this range.

Principal/Lead Engineer (15+ years): SAR 38,000-55,000+ per month. These highly specialized positions are found at major EPC firms, Aramco, and megaproject developers. Total compensation often includes significant bonuses, profit sharing, and executive-level benefits.

Jeddah salaries for mechanical engineers are generally 5-10% lower than Riyadh equivalents but are offset by lower housing costs in many neighborhoods. The city's coastal lifestyle and more relaxed social environment are considered significant non-financial benefits by many engineers.

Work Culture in Jeddah

Working hours follow the Saudi standard of Sunday to Thursday, typically 8 AM to 5 PM. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by two hours daily by law. Many engineering companies, particularly those with field operations, may require shift work or extended hours during project commissioning phases.

Social environment — Jeddah is widely considered the most cosmopolitan and socially relaxed city in Saudi Arabia. The city's historic role as a trading port and its diverse expatriate population create a more internationally oriented atmosphere compared to Riyadh. The Corniche promenade, Al-Balad historic district, and Red Sea diving opportunities offer excellent lifestyle amenities.

Professional development — Many Jeddah employers sponsor professional development, including Saudi Council of Engineers registration, PMP certification, and specialized technical training. The city hosts engineering conferences and trade shows, including the Saudi Build exhibition and various industry-specific forums.

Visa & Work Permit Guide

Standard work visa — Your employer sponsors the visa process, which takes 4-8 weeks. Required documents include attested educational certificates (from your home country's foreign ministry and the Saudi Embassy), a valid passport, passport photos, and medical fitness results. Engineering degrees must be from accredited institutions recognized by the Saudi Ministry of Education.

Saudi Council of Engineers registration — All engineers working in Saudi Arabia should register with the SCE. The process requires your attested degree, experience certificates, and passing an online assessment. Registration is valid for three years and is increasingly enforced by employers and government clients.

Iqama (residence permit) — Once your work visa is processed and you arrive in Saudi Arabia, your employer will obtain your Iqama within 90 days. This digital ID is essential for banking, renting accommodation, and accessing government services.

Premium Residency (Green Card) — Saudi Arabia offers a premium residency program for highly skilled professionals. Mechanical engineers meeting salary and experience thresholds can apply for this permanent residency, which provides benefits similar to citizenship including property ownership rights and business sponsorship privileges.

Jeddah-Tailored Mechanical Engineer Resume Section

Professional Summary

Results-driven Mechanical Engineer with 7+ years of experience in industrial plant design and construction project management within Saudi Arabia's Western Region. Currently based in Jeddah with valid Iqama and Saudi Council of Engineers registration. Proven expertise in HVAC system design for extreme climate conditions, rotating equipment maintenance optimization, and MEP coordination for large-scale commercial and industrial developments. Successfully delivered SAR 120M+ in engineering projects across petrochemical, desalination, and real estate sectors, consistently achieving 15-20% efficiency improvements through innovative design solutions and value engineering.

Work Experience

Senior Mechanical Engineer — Red Sea Global (Jeddah)

January 2024 – Present

• Lead MEP design review and coordination for a SAR 2.5B luxury resort complex comprising 14 hotel properties and 800+ residential units along the Red Sea coast
• Designed sustainable HVAC systems utilizing seawater cooling technology, reducing energy consumption by 35% compared to conventional systems and achieving LEED Platinum certification targets
• Managed a cross-functional team of 12 engineers and coordinated with 6 international design consultants to deliver mechanical systems within budget and 2 weeks ahead of schedule
• Implemented digital twin technology using Autodesk Revit and Navisworks for clash detection, eliminating 94% of MEP conflicts before construction phase and saving SAR 8M in rework costs

Mechanical Engineer — SABIC (Yanbu Industrial City)

March 2020 – December 2023

• Managed reliability engineering program for 340+ rotating equipment assets including compressors, pumps, and turbines across two petrochemical production lines with combined output of 4.2M tonnes annually
• Developed predictive maintenance protocols using vibration analysis and thermography, reducing unplanned downtime by 28% and saving SAR 15M annually in maintenance and production loss costs
• Led the mechanical design package for a SAR 450M plant expansion project, coordinating piping, vessel, and heat exchanger specifications in compliance with ASME, API, and Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards (SAES)
• Conducted root cause failure analysis on critical equipment, implementing design modifications that extended mean time between failures from 18 to 32 months for centrifugal compressor trains