Project overview
Saudi Arabia s Vision 2030 is driving a large-scale industrial transformation. Our client is developing a first-of-its-kind facility to process critical minerals, produce rare-earth products and manufacture permanent magnets to serve EV, wind power and other energy-transition markets. The programme aims to capture greater value domestically, support export-oriented industrial clusters and establish the Kingdom as a regional hub for rare-earth processing and magnetics.
Role overview
We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer with deep expertise in magnet production equipment, tooling and plant equipment integration. The role is a senior consultancy position supporting Stage 1 (feasibility / concept) and Stage 2 (FEED/RFQ preparation). You will define equipment concepts, specify mechanical systems and tooling, prepare RFQ/FEED technical deliverables, and support vendor evaluation and procurement strategy.
Key responsibilities
- Develop mechanical equipment concepts for magnet production processes (e.g., powder handling, compaction, sintering presses/furnaces, powder metallurgy tooling, cutting/grinding, coating, magnetization, and quality inspection equipment).
- Define equipment specifications, performance criteria, materials of construction (MOC) recommendations, tolerances and tooling requirements.
- Produce mechanical design, mass/energy balances (where relevant), utility loads, and interfacing requirements with other disciplines.
- Prepare FEED-level mechanical technical packages and RFQ documents for equipment and major packages.
- Assess vendor proposals, lead mechanical technical due diligence and recommend preferred vendors and fabrication strategies.
- Evaluate maintenance, reliability, spare parts strategies, and recommended automation/robotics for production and handling.
- Identify mechanical / tooling risks (e.g., tolerancing, wear, contamination control) and propose mitigation and QA/QC measures.
- Coordinate with process, electrical, HSE and procurement teams; support site layout and mechanical integration reviews.
- Mentor junior mechanical and rotating equipment engineers engaged on the project.
Essential qualifications & experience
- BSc in Mechanical Engineering (or related engineering discipline) from a recognized university.
- Minimum 15 20 years industrial mechanical engineering experience, with demonstrable delivery at feasibility, FEED/RFQ and commissioning stages.
- Direct, hands-on experience with equipment and tooling for permanent magnet manufacture or closely related powder-metallurgy/ceramic/metal-processing industries.
- Experience specifying and procuring major rotating and static equipment, presses, furnaces, material handling systems, clean handling systems, and tooling for high-precision manufacturing.
- Proven track record delivering industrial facilities from concept through to FEED or commissioning.
- Strong technical writing skills for RFQ preparation and vendor technical evaluation.
- Excellent problem solving, leadership and stakeholder management skills; comfortable in multinational teams.
Outcome-driven: prioritizes timely delivery and consistently meets cost, schedule and quality requirements
- Comfortable working with multinational teams; fluent in English.
Desirable
MSc or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
Experience with automation, robotics, CNC tooling, and advanced metrology systems for quality control.
Familiarity with contamination control, clean-room or controlled-atmosphere handling (if relevant to magnet powders).
Experience in Middle East / GCC projects and knowledge of regional procurement practices.
Opportunity to shape a strategic, high-impact national industrial program.
Competitive consultancy remuneration (commensurate with experience)
Riyadh-based role with travel as required.
Essential qualifications & experience
- BSc in Mechanical Engineering (or related engineering discipline) from a recognized university.
- Minimum 15 20 years industrial mechanical engineering experience, with demonstrable delivery at feasibility, FEED/RFQ and commissioning stages.
- Direct, hands-on experience with equipment and tooling for permanent magnet manufacture or closely related powder-metallurgy/ceramic/metal-processing industries.
- Experience specifying and procuring major rotating and static equipment, presses, furnaces, material handling systems, clean handling systems, and tooling for high-precision manufacturing.
- Proven track record delivering industrial facilities from concept through to FEED or commissioning.
- Strong technical writing skills for RFQ preparation and vendor technical evaluation.
- Excellent problem solving, leadership and stakeholder management skills; comfortable in multinational teams.
Outcome-driven: prioritizes timely delivery and consistently meets cost, schedule and quality requirements
- Comfortable working with multinational teams; fluent in English.
