Senior Manager - Engineering (Ports Cluster)

About the role

The Senior Manager - Engineering leads the Engineering function of Equipment Engineering and Maintenance across the Ports Cluster. The role sets the engineering strategy, standards and capital investment program for port and container handling equipment, and ensures equipment projects, modifications and reliability improvements are delivered safely, on time, within budget and in line with operational and asset management objectives.

Key responsibilities

• Ensure engineering activities comply with HSE regulations, industry standards and internal policies, and promote a strong safety culture.
• Lead the Engineering function and oversee equipment projects (new acquisitions, upgrades, retrofits, life-extension) across the full project lifecycle.
• Establish engineering standards, technical specifications and design criteria in coordination with Operations and Maintenance.
• Own the annual and multi-year equipment CAPEX plan, reviewing business cases, cost estimates and technical alternatives.
• Oversee technical input to procurement, including tender specifications, technical bid evaluations and negotiations with OEMs and major contractors.
• Monitor portfolio performance (schedule, budget, risk, quality) through KPIs and report to senior leadership.
• Manage relationships with OEMs, contractors and consultants, oversee contractor performance and resolve escalated issues.
• Approve FAT, SAT, inspections and commissioning, ensure structured handover to Maintenance and Operations, and register new assets in MAXIMO.
• Lead root-cause analysis of major failures, warranty management and supplier claims, and drive continuous improvement and reliability requirements.
• Act as senior technical authority, approving major engineering changes and modifications.
• Lead, develop and manage the Engineering team, including managers and engineers, and coach and mentor engineers.
• Contribute to the equipment engineering strategy, asset management plan and fleet renewal strategy, and evaluate emerging technologies such as automation and electrification.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Electromechanical Engineering or a related field; master's degree, professional engineering registration or PMP preferred.
• Minimum 12-15 years of experience, including at least 5 years in a managerial role leading engineering teams and equipment project portfolios.
• Proven experience leading equipment engineering and capital projects in a port, terminal, logistics or heavy industrial environment, with strong knowledge of container handling equipment (STS cranes, RTG/RMG, straddle carriers, reach stackers).
• Experience in CAPEX planning, budget management, contract management and vendor management with OEMs and contractors.
• Strong knowledge of asset management, reliability engineering and quality and safety management systems.
• Excellent English; Arabic is an added advantage.

Required skills

• Capital project portfolio management (planning, cost and risk control)
• Equipment engineering, reliability and asset management
• Engineering leadership and people management
• Contract, vendor and stakeholder management
• SMWP/SAP and MAXIMO