Project Manager, Metro – Mekkah

SYSTRA is one of the world's leading engineering and consultancy groups specialising in public transport and sustainable mobility. With over 10,300 employees, SYSTRA's mission is to design safe and sustainable transport solutions to bring people together, develop social inclusion and facilitate access to employment, education and leisure throughout the world.

For 65 years, the Group has been working alongside cities and regions to contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their infrastructure and transport systems, throughout the life cycle of their projects. SYSTRA is involved from the earliest stages of design through to the testing, deployment and maintenance phases. The company provides all its services in over 80 countries worldwide and generates 74% of its turnover internationally. With its new services, SYSTRA supports its clients and partners in their digital, ecological and energy transition, in order to invent the mobility of tomorrow.

Context

We are seeking an accomplished Project Manager (Metro). This role leads end-to-end delivery of complex metro programs as a trusted delivery partner, combining deep rail and transit expertise with rigorous governance and client-facing leadership. The ideal candidate brings 14+ years of metro or rail experience, strong regional delivery credentials, and a track record managing multi-package, interface-heavy programs from early planning through operations readiness.

Missions/Main Duties

Program and Project Delivery

Own full lifecycle delivery for metro assets and systems, including planning and feasibility, concept and detailed design, procurement, construction and systems installation, testing and commissioning, trial operations, and handover. Establish integrated master schedules, stage gates, and KPIs aligned to client objectives, ensuring safety, scope, schedule, cost, and quality performance.

Stakeholder and Governance

Act as primary interface with client organizations, transport authorities, utilities, city planners, designers, contractors, operators, and independent checking engineers. Lead governance forums, approvals, and executive reporting, driving timely decisions and alignment across civil, systems, and operational stakeholders.

Civil, Systems, and Interfaces Management

Oversee multidisciplinary scopes across civil works (tunnels, viaducts, stations, depots), rail systems (trackwork, power/traction, SCADA, signaling and train control—CBTC preferred, telecoms), rolling stock interfaces, PSDs, and OCS. Manage critical interfaces among design-and-build packages, systems integrators, and third parties to maintain integration integrity.

Commercial, Contracts, and Procurement

Shape procurement strategies for multi-package metro delivery (civil works, MEP, systems, rolling stock, systems integration, O&M). Administer contracts, change control, claims, and risk allocation. Coordinate with legal and commercial teams to ensure compliance with delivery partner obligations and optimize value across packages.

Safety, Quality, Risk, and Assurance

Implement comprehensive risk management, configuration control, and change governance. Enforce QA/QC processes and independent safety assessment coordination. Lead HSE excellence across contractors, aligning with international rail safety practices. Drive systems assurance, RAMS, EMC/EMI, cybersecurity, and safety certification readiness.

Testing, Commissioning, and Operations Readiness

Plan and manage integrated testing and commissioning (IOTC), trial running, reliability growth, and safety certification. Coordinate with operators for O&M strategy, staffing, training, maintenance regimes, spares, and asset information requirements to secure a smooth handover into passenger service.

Team Leadership

Build and lead a matrixed team spanning PMO, planning and scheduling, cost, risk, engineering, assurance, and site supervision. Mentor staff, drive accountability, and foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Profile/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, or Transport Engineering; Master’s in Transport/Rail Systems or Project Management preferred.
• 14+ years delivering major metro or rail programs with demonstrable experience across civil and systems packages, including interface and integration management.
• Proven regional experience (e.g., GCC/KSA or similar) with government or quasi-government clients; giga-project exposure is a plus.
• Success in delivery partner, PMC, or client-representative roles managing multi-billion SAR/AED portfolios.
• Strong knowledge of metro systems: CBTC/signaling, telecommunications, power/traction, SCADA, PSDs, rolling stock interfaces, RAMS, and systems assurance.
• Proficiency with P6, risk tools, PMIS, BIM/CDE, and systems engineering and configuration management practices.
• Certifications such as PMP, PgMP, APM, IRSE, or PRINCE2 preferred.

Core Competencies

• Leadership and influence across client, authority, and contractor ecosystems.
• Systems integration mindset with disciplined interface management.
• Commercial acumen in complex, multi-contract environments.
• Clear, concise executive reporting and adept stakeholder negotiation.
• Resilient problem-solving in high-velocity program conditions.
• Uncompromising commitment to safety, quality, and passenger-centric outcomes.

Systra is an equal opportunities company; this position is open to all applicants.

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