Water Network Optimization Engineer – Operations & Maintenance

NEOM is an accelerator of human progress and a vision of what a new future might look like. A region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea, NEOM is being built from the ground up to include hyperconnected, cognitive cities, ports, next-generation infrastructure and industries, enterprise zones, research centers, sports and entertainment venues and tourist destinations.

As a destination, it will be a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for exceptional livability, creating thriving businesses and reinventing environmental conservation.

As a workplace, it is a place for people who share our core values of care, curiosity, diversity, passion, respect, and becoming a catalyst for change.

Are you ready to help NEOM find solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges? Are you prepared to create a lasting legacy that benefits generations to come? Then we want to hear from you!

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Network Optimization Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence across the water network by implementing high-performance standards and efficiency initiatives.

This role will focus on developing essential documentation, including Job Plans, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Annual Work Plans, to support the sustainable management of the network and asset base. A critical component of this role is to establish systems for capturing and implementing asset data, ensuring assets exceed their operational life and deliver reliable, data-driven performance.

By enabling data-driven decision-making in operations and maintenance, the Network Optizmation Manager ensures NEOM’s water infrastructure remains resilient, efficient, and aligned with NEOM’s strategic goals for long-term sustainability.

REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

• Strong understanding of field documentation, compliance monitoring, and contract management with a focus on data-driven performance.
• Proficiency in data analysis, performance reporting, and continuous improvement methodologies to support asset longevity and operational excellence.
• Knowledge of HSE standards, water quality requirements, and regulatory compliance in water operations.
• Proven track record in using asset data to drive operational improvements and inform strategic maintenance decisions.
• Experience in implementing asset data capture systems, ensuring data quality, accuracy, and integration with maintenance and reporting workflows.
• Strong knowledge of predictive maintenance strategies and condition monitoring techniques to enhance asset life and reduce unplanned downtime.

ROLE COMPETENCIES & ACTIVITIES

Operations         

Performance Optimization

• Lead initiatives in reliability engineering to reduce downtime, optimize efficiency, and enhance asset lifespan across the water network.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) focused on asset performance, leveraging asset data to drive continuous improvements.
• Develop and implement frameworks to capture and utilize asset data effectively, supporting data-driven decision-making in network operations.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, applying insights from asset data to refine operational procedures and extend asset life.
• Develop maintenance programs aligned with Reliability Centered Maintenance
• Create and standardize Job Plans and SOPs to ensure consistent, high-quality operations, including protocols for capturing and utilizing asset data.
• Integrate data management practices into documentation, ensuring asset data is routinely collected, analyzed, and used to inform maintenance and operations decisions.
• Develop comprehensive Annual Work Plan that incorporates asset data insights, guiding proactive maintenance and supporting asset longevity.
• Coordinate with contractors to ensure assets are maintained to maximize operational life.
• Conduct regular audits of documentation to verify compliance with NEOM’s quality and operational standards, including effective asset data management.

Monitor and Control Safety & Quality – Client Side

• Ensure all operations comply with HSE standards, incorporating asset data to improve risk assessments and preventive measures.
• Contribute to HAZOPS to ensure that maintenance activities can be executed in a safe environment
• Update and reinforce safety protocols within all job plans and SOPs, utilizing data-driven insights to enhance field activities
• Monitor and report on contractor performance against the agreed maintenance plans
• Audit contractors (onsite) to confirm maintenance activities are being performed as reported and are to Neom requirements
• Provide regular training to field teams on the importance of quality of data-captured, emphasizing the impact on safety, quality, and asset life.

Ability to Report and Analyse          

• Monitor contractor adherence to maintenance plans, identifying and reporting any deviations from scheduled tasks.

• Implement tracking systems within the Works Management System to support activity-based costing and enhance cost transparency across operations
• Develop compliance reports that track completion rates, highlighting areas requiring corrective action and adjustments.
• Generate insights from maintenance data to identify compliance trends, supporting improvements in future maintenance planning.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly compliance summaries for senior management, offering visibility into adherence to maintenance schedules.
• Conduct audits of maintenance records and collaborate with contractors to address gaps, ensuring alignment with contractual and regulatory standards.

Project Delivery Co-ordination     

• Develop and manage contract performance reporting systems, incorporating asset data to evaluate contractor compliance and asset performance.

• Review contractor performance against key data-driven metrics, implementing corrective actions as needed to ensure alignment with NEOM’s operational standards.
• Prepare performance reports that include asset data insights, summarizing contractor compliance, network performance, and alignment with operational and sustainability goals.
• Manage all exception items during the project closeout, ensuring that outstanding water quality issues are resolved before handover.
• Act as the liaison between the water quality team, contractors, and external consultants to ensure alignment on quality standards and timelines.
• Represent Operations and Maintenance in asset creation workshops to ensure assets are designed for effective operation and maintenance.

Testing & Commissioning            

• Provide guidance to network commissioning activities, ensuring new assets are prepared for data-informed operational delivery and long-term reliability.

• Review documents all testing and commissioning activities, ensuring asset data is accurately captured for use in future operations and maintenance.

BACKGROUND, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in network operations, including expertise in reliability engineering and asset performance optimization.
• Demonstrated experience in developing job plans, SOPs, and annual work plans with an emphasis on asset data management and utilization.
• Strong understanding of field documentation, compliance monitoring, and contract management with a focus on data-driven performance.
• Proficiency in data analysis, performance reporting, and continuous improvement methodologies to support asset longevity and operational excellence.
• Knowledge of HSE standards, water quality requirements, and regulatory compliance in water operations.
• Proven track record in using asset data to drive operational improvements and inform strategic maintenance decisions.
• Experience in implementing asset data capture systems, ensuring data quality, accuracy, and integration with maintenance and reporting workflows.
• Strong knowledge of predictive maintenance strategies and condition monitoring techniques to enhance asset life and reduce unplanned downtime.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as Civil, Mechanical, or Environmental Engineering