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

Software Engineer Job Market in Riyadh

Riyadh is experiencing a historic transformation into a global technology powerhouse, driven by Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 program. The Saudi capital has committed hundreds of billions of dollars to technology infrastructure, smart city projects, and digital government services, creating an unprecedented surge in demand for software engineers. The city's tech sector has grown at a compound annual rate exceeding 20% since 2022, making it one of the fastest-growing tech markets in the world.

The centerpiece of Riyadh's tech ambitions is NEOM, the $500 billion mega-city project on the Red Sea coast, which despite being geographically distant maintains significant technology operations and hiring in Riyadh. Beyond NEOM, projects like The Line, Qiddiya entertainment city, and the Red Sea Global tourism initiative all require massive software engineering talent for their digital platforms, IoT infrastructure, and customer-facing applications.

The Saudi government has actively courted international technology companies to establish regional headquarters in Riyadh, with a mandate that companies seeking Saudi government contracts must be headquartered in the Kingdom. This has brought an influx of global tech firms, from Oracle and SAP to Alibaba Cloud and Huawei, all of which are hiring software engineers in Riyadh. Simultaneously, homegrown tech companies like STC, Elm Company, and Thiqah are scaling rapidly, and a vibrant startup scene supported by organizations like Monsha'at and the Saudi Venture Capital Company is creating new opportunities.

One unique aspect of Riyadh's tech market is the impact of Saudization (Nitaqat) requirements. Companies must maintain minimum percentages of Saudi national employees, which affects hiring dynamics. For expatriate software engineers, this means the market tends to favor senior and specialized roles, as companies often reserve junior positions for Saudi nationals. However, the sheer scale of demand means that experienced international engineers remain in high demand.

Why Riyadh for Software Engineer Careers

Riyadh presents a compelling value proposition for software engineers willing to embrace a city in rapid transformation. The financial incentives are substantial — Saudi Arabia has zero personal income tax, and many employers offer generous packages that include housing allowances, annual flights, and education allowances for children. When factoring in the lower cost of living compared to Dubai (housing costs in Riyadh are typically 25-35% lower than equivalent neighborhoods in Dubai), the overall financial package can be highly attractive.

The professional opportunities in Riyadh are increasingly unique. Software engineers here have the chance to work on genuinely transformative projects — building the digital infrastructure for entirely new cities, creating smart transportation systems from scratch, and developing government platforms that will serve a population of 35+ million people. The scale and ambition of Vision 2030 projects offer career-defining experiences that are difficult to find elsewhere.

Riyadh's quality of life has improved dramatically in recent years. The entertainment sector has been liberalized, with cinemas, concerts, international sporting events, and cultural festivals now common. The city's restaurant scene has exploded, and new lifestyle destinations like Boulevard Riyadh City and Diriyah Gate have transformed the social landscape. For families, Riyadh offers excellent international schools (including British, American, and IB curricula) and a safe, community-oriented environment.

The city is also positioning itself as a hub for emerging technology research. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), though located outside Riyadh, collaborates with Riyadh-based companies on AI and robotics research. The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) has launched multiple initiatives to build local AI capabilities, creating opportunities for engineers interested in cutting-edge technology.

Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Riyadh

STC (Saudi Telecom Company) — the Kingdom's largest telecom provider has transformed into a technology conglomerate with subsidiaries spanning cloud computing (STC Cloud), fintech (STC Pay), and cybersecurity (STC Cyber). STC's Riyadh headquarters employs thousands of engineers working on 5G infrastructure, IoT platforms, and digital services reaching over 20 million subscribers.

Elm Company — a government-linked technology powerhouse responsible for building many of Saudi Arabia's critical digital platforms, including Absher (government services), Muqeem (immigration), and Tawakkalna (digital health/identity). Software engineers at Elm work on systems serving the entire Saudi population, dealing with extreme scale and security requirements.

NEOM Technology Division — while the physical NEOM project is on the Red Sea coast, its technology teams have significant presence in Riyadh. Engineers work on smart city platforms, autonomous transportation systems, renewable energy monitoring, and urban planning tools for what aims to be the world's most technologically advanced city.

Thiqah Business Services — a subsidiary of the Saudi National Information Center, Thiqah develops enterprise software solutions for government entities and semi-government organizations. Their projects include large-scale data platforms, e-government services, and digital transformation initiatives across multiple Saudi ministries.

Microsoft Saudi Arabia — Microsoft has significantly expanded its Riyadh operations, including the establishment of Azure cloud data centers in the Kingdom. Software engineers work on cloud infrastructure, AI services, and enterprise solutions tailored for the Saudi market, collaborating closely with Saudi government entities on digital transformation projects.

Emerging startups — Riyadh's startup ecosystem is booming, with companies like Foodics (restaurant management), Tamara (buy-now-pay-later), Salla (e-commerce platform), and Lucidya (social media analytics) offering exciting engineering roles with competitive equity packages and the energy of a rapidly growing market.

City-Specific Resume Tips

Emphasize Vision 2030 alignment. If your previous work aligns with Saudi Arabia's strategic goals — smart cities, fintech, e-government, healthcare technology, education technology, or entertainment — highlight these connections explicitly. Hiring managers actively look for candidates whose experience maps to national priorities.

Mention Arabic language skills. While English is the primary language in Riyadh's tech sector, any Arabic language ability (even basic conversational skills) is a significant differentiator. Include your Arabic proficiency level on your resume, especially if you can read technical documentation or communicate with Arabic-speaking stakeholders.

Include your nationality and visa status. Saudi work visa requirements differ by nationality, and companies need to plan their Saudization ratios. State your current location, nationality, and visa status clearly. If you have previously worked in Saudi Arabia or the GCC, mention this prominently.

Highlight government project experience. A significant portion of Riyadh's tech hiring is for government-adjacent projects. Experience with large-scale government systems, compliance requirements (data residency, sovereignty), or public-sector digital transformation will set you apart.

Feature certifications prominently. Saudi employers, particularly government-linked entities, value formal certifications more than many Western employers. AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Kubernetes (CKA/CKAD), and security certifications (CISSP, CEH) should be listed prominently near the top of your resume.

Show stability. The Saudi work visa process is more involved than Dubai's, and employers invest significantly in relocation. Showing career stability (2-3+ years at previous employers) rather than frequent job-hopping demonstrates commitment and makes you a more attractive candidate for the investment required.

Salary Expectations in Riyadh

Software engineer compensation in Riyadh has risen sharply since 2023 as Vision 2030 projects intensify competition for talent. While base salaries may be slightly lower than Dubai equivalents, total compensation packages often include more generous benefits.

Junior Software Engineer (0-2 years): SAR 8,000-14,000 per month. Entry-level positions for expatriates are limited due to Saudization requirements, but specialized junior roles (AI/ML, cybersecurity) remain accessible.

Mid-Level Software Engineer (3-6 years): SAR 15,000-28,000 per month. This experience band sees the strongest demand, with companies willing to offer premium packages for engineers with relevant domain expertise.

Senior Software Engineer (7-10 years): SAR 28,000-45,000 per month. Senior roles at STC, Elm, NEOM, and multinational companies command strong compensation, often supplemented with housing allowances of SAR 5,000-12,000 monthly.

Staff/Principal Engineer (10+ years): SAR 40,000-65,000+ per month. Highly specialized engineers, particularly those with smart city, AI, or large-scale infrastructure experience, can command premium packages.

Benefits in Riyadh tend to be more comprehensive than in Dubai. Most packages include furnished housing or a housing allowance (SAR 5,000-15,000 monthly), annual return flights for the employee and family, private health insurance, children's education allowances (up to SAR 40,000-80,000 per year), and 30 days of annual leave. Some government-linked entities offer additional benefits like compound living with recreational facilities.

Work Culture in Riyadh

Working hours — the standard Saudi work week is Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as the weekend. Working hours are typically 8 AM to 5 PM, though tech companies often offer flexible scheduling. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by two hours. Some companies, particularly government-linked ones, may have slightly more rigid schedules than the startup sector.

Communication style — Riyadh's work culture places significant emphasis on personal relationships and respect for hierarchy. While tech teams tend to be more informal than traditional Saudi businesses, showing respect for seniority and building personal rapport with colleagues is important. Meetings may start with social conversation before moving to business topics. Direct confrontation in public settings is generally avoided.

Gender dynamics — Saudi Arabia's workplace has undergone remarkable changes since 2018. Women now participate actively in the tech workforce, and mixed-gender offices are standard in the private sector. However, some cultural sensitivities remain, and international employees should be observant and respectful of local norms.

Dress code — tech companies in Riyadh range from casual to business casual. Saudi national colleagues may wear traditional thobes, while international staff typically wear smart casual attire. Formal business dress is expected for government meetings.

Remote work — hybrid work arrangements are becoming more common in Riyadh's tech sector, though the adoption lags behind Dubai. Companies like STC and Elm have introduced flexible work policies, but government-linked projects may require more in-office presence due to security and data handling requirements.

Visa & Work Permit Guide

Working in Saudi Arabia as a software engineer requires an employer-sponsored work visa (Iqama). The process involves several steps and typically takes 4-8 weeks from offer acceptance.

Work visa process — your employer obtains a work visa number from the Ministry of Human Resources, which is sent to the Saudi Embassy in your country for visa stamping. Upon arrival, you complete a medical examination and receive your Iqama (residence permit), valid for one to two years and renewable.

Premium Residency — Saudi Arabia's equivalent of the UAE's Golden Visa, the Premium Residency program offers permanent or one-year renewable residency for qualified professionals. Software engineers with significant experience or specialized skills may qualify, offering greater job mobility within the Kingdom.

Saudization considerations — companies must maintain minimum ratios of Saudi employees (Nitaqat system). This affects hiring timelines as companies balance their ratios. Senior and specialized technical roles are generally easier to fill with expatriates, while companies may face restrictions on junior positions.

Document requirements — you will need attested educational certificates (verified by your home country's foreign ministry and the Saudi Embassy), a police clearance certificate, and a medical report. The Saudi Digital Library maintains a list of recognized universities, and degrees from unrecognized institutions may require additional verification.

Riyadh-Tailored Software Engineer Resume Section

Professional Summary

Innovative Software Engineer with 7+ years of experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale platforms for government and private sector organizations. Currently based in Riyadh with a valid Saudi Iqama. Specialized in cloud-native architectures, microservices, and digital transformation projects aligned with Vision 2030 objectives. Proven experience building platforms serving millions of users with high availability and strict data residency compliance. Proficient in Arabic (conversational) and experienced in managing cross-cultural engineering teams across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region.

Work Experience

Senior Software Engineer — Elm Company (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

January 2023 – Present

• Architected the backend services for a national digital identity verification platform used by 18 million Saudi citizens and residents, achieving 99.99% uptime using Java microservices on Kubernetes with multi-region failover
• Led the design and implementation of a real-time data processing pipeline using Apache Kafka and Apache Flink, processing 2.5 million events daily from government service portals with sub-second latency
• Implemented data residency compliance controls ensuring all citizen data remains within Saudi Arabia's borders, working closely with NDMO (National Data Management Office) regulations and achieving full compliance certification
• Designed a role-based access control system integrated with the National Single Sign-On (SSO) platform, enabling secure cross-ministry data sharing for 15+ government entities
• Mentored 6 Saudi national engineers as part of the company's talent development program, two of whom were promoted to mid-level engineering positions within 18 months

Software Engineer — STC Digital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

April 2020 – December 2022

• Developed core payment processing modules for STC Pay, handling 800,000+ daily transactions across Saudi Arabia with zero-downtime deployment pipelines
• Built the real-time fraud detection system using Python and TensorFlow, reducing fraudulent transactions by 42% while maintaining false-positive rates below 0.3%
• Migrated legacy telecom billing systems from on-premise Oracle infrastructure to STC Cloud, reducing operational costs by SAR 2.1 million annually and improving system response times by 60%
• Contributed to the open banking API platform enabling third-party fintech integration, processing SAR 500 million in monthly transaction volume across 25+ partner applications
• Participated in STC's internal tech conference as a speaker on microservices architecture patterns for high-throughput financial systems, attended by 200+ engineers