Desalination Specialist Engineer

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Job Description

The Desalination Specialist Engineer will serve as the primary technical focal point for desalination-related matters during implementation of the Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project (AAWDCP). The position will review and monitor the desalination plant, marine works, intake and outfall systems, and associated facilities and will advise MWI, through CDM Smith, on design, implementation, commissioning, operations, and decisions affecting long-term asset performance.

Reporting to the DCOP and working under the overall direction of the COP, the Desalination Specialist Engineer will coordinate closely with CDM Smith Home Office desalination and water treatment experts for specialized technical guidance. The engineer will support MWI in reviewing technical submissions, monitoring implementation, identifying and assessing technical risks, evaluating proposed solutions, and coordinating the provision of specialized technical expertise as needed throughout project implementation.

Location:  Primarily based in Aqaba, Jordan, with regular travel to Amman. The anticipated allocation is approximately 80% in Aqaba and 20% in Amman, subject to project requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate technical submissions, studies, reports, calculations, design deliverables, implementation documentation, and commissioning-related submissions prepared by the Project Company for the desalination facilities, marine works, intake and outfall systems, and associated infrastructure. Reviews should address applicable project requirements, design criteria, process performance, constructability, operability, maintainability, reliability, water quality, energy and chemical consumption, environmental obligations, testing, and commissioning, with support coordinated from CDM Smith Home Office experts and subject-matter specialists.
• Monitor implementation activities associated with the desalination facilities and advise MWI through CDM Smith on technical adequacy, emerging risks, departures from project requirements, constructability, operability, maintainability and reliability. Document material observations, recommended mitigation measures and required follow-up actions.
• Provide support and assistance in evaluating proposed technical solutions from the perspective of long-term operability, maintainability, reliability, asset life, availability, energy consumption, chemical consumption, and future operational flexibility.
• Assist in reviewing and advising MWI regarding technical decisions that may affect energy consumption, operational expenditure, plant efficiency, lifecycle costs, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Jordan-based project team and CDM Smith Home Office desalination experts, ensuring effective coordination, timely reviews, and consistent communication of project developments and technical support needs.
• Coordinate with project stakeholders, including the Project Company, Independent Engineer, government entities, regulatory authorities, utility providers, consultants, and contractors on matters related to the desalination facilities and associated infrastructure.
• Support management of interfaces between the desalination facilities and marine works, power supply infrastructure, renewable energy systems, conveyance and pumping systems, and delivery points, utility connections, control and communications systems, environmental requirements, and operational systems. Monitor interface risks, identify dependencies, information requirements, and responsibilities, and track agreed actions through closure.
• Participate in technical meetings, coordination meetings, workshops, stakeholder engagements, and site visits as required.
• Support the preparation of presentations, technical memoranda, briefing notes, meeting materials, management updates, meeting minutes, action-item registers, and follow-up documentation.
• Monitor follow-up actions arising from technical reviews, stakeholder meetings, and project coordination activities to ensure timely closure of identified issues.
• Support assessment of technical implications associated with variations, claims, implementation challenges, commissioning activities, operational readiness plans, performance testing procedures, and other implementation-phase matters.
• Review technical aspects of environmental compliance, water quality requirements, startup and commissioning plans, operational readiness plans, performance testing procedures, acceptance criteria, reliability and availability demonstrations, spare parts, operating procedures, and performance verification for the desalination facilities. Monitor the resolution of test deficiencies and readiness actions before relevant project milestones.
• Prepare regular updates for the COP, DCOP, and Home Office experts regarding project progress, technical developments, key risks, critical decisions, implementation challenges, and required specialist support.
• Participate in site monitoring activities and support reviews of construction progress, milestone achievement, commissioning activities, and operational readiness related to the desalination facilities.

Important Note

The engineer will monitor  and document material technical risks, follow up on recommend mitigation measures, and promptly escalate to CDM Smith issues requiring management, contractual, regulatory, or specialist review. Final approvals, certifications, directions to contractors, and decisions reserved for MWI, the Project Company, the Independent Engineer, or other authorized parties will remain with those entities.

The Desalination Specialist Engineer will serve in an advisory, review, coordination, and monitoring capacity. The position will not undertake direct construction supervision or contractor management and will not exercise certification, approval, or other functions assigned to MWI, the Project Company, the Independent Engineer, contractors, or other project stakeholders.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to lead technical reviews, analyze complex problems, communicate findings clearly, coordinate diverse stakeholders, organize competing priorities, and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Problem solving and analytical skills.
• Stakeholder coordination.
• Technical writing and reporting.
• Communication and presentation skills.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Engineering, or related discipline is required. A master's degree in a relevant discipline is preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in water treatment, or comparable complex industrial or process infrastructure projects, including substantial experience relevant to the design, implementation, commissioning, or operation of large-scale facilities.
• Demonstrated experience with seawater desalination facilities is required, including technical involvement in design review, implementation, commissioning, operations, or performance assessment. Experience with large-scale seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plants, seawater intake and outfall systems, pretreatment, remineralization, and associated process systems is preferred.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: design review, project implementation, commissioning, operations, owner's engineering, advisory services, or technical consulting roles.
• Previous experience working with multidisciplinary teams and international experts.
• The position requires regular presence in Aqaba, frequent travel to Amman, and participation in site inspections, construction monitoring, testing, and commissioning activities. The successful candidate must be able to work safely in active construction and industrial environments and comply with all project health, safety, security, and environmental requirements.
• Must be Jordanian.
• Registration as a member of the Jordan Engineers Association (JEA).
• Excellent written and spoken Arabic and English.
• Strong technical writing, reporting, and presentation skills in both languages.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PPP, BOT, EPC, Design-Build, or concession-based infrastructure projects is preferred.
• Experience working on large-scale infrastructure projects.

Amount of Travel Required

20% - 40%
Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.
Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.
Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.
Visa Sponsorship Available

No - We are not open to sponsoring for this position
Agency Disclaimer

All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Team will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.