Shift Charge Engineer - RO Plant (Jubail)

About Acwa Operations

Acwa Operations, previously known as NOMAC, is the operations and maintenance arm of Acwa. The organisation supports essential power generation and water desalination assets so they can run safely, reliably, and cost-effectively throughout their full lifecycle. Since 2005, it has worked with clients across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, providing technical support, maintenance services, commissioning support, asset management, and continuous performance improvement. Its operating culture is built around accountability, strong systems, and performance, with a focus on safety, quality, availability, and resilience.

About Jazlah IWP

Jazlah Water Desalination Company is a major player in Saudi Arabia’s desalination sector. It owns the Jubail Desalination Plant 3A in Jubail, which produces 600,000 cubic meters of desalinated water each day. The plant uses Reverse Osmosis Seawater (SWRO) technology, runs on electricity from the national grid (SEC), and draws 20% of its total power requirement from photovoltaic solar energy to support sustainability goals.

Role Overview

This position reports to the Operations Manager and is responsible for overseeing plant operations during the shift. The role ensures that startup, shutdown, and day-to-day operating activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in line with approved standard operating procedures, quality requirements, time plans, and other operating standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Adhere to all safety rules and maintain strong awareness of plant hazards.
• Work in line with plant O&M agreements, P&IDs, SOPs, work instructions, operation and control logic, emergency procedures, and regulatory obligations.
• Operate the plant to required standards while limiting risk to personnel, equipment, and materials, and ensuring environmental and safety compliance.
• Coordinate shift activities with other departments, understand the permit-to-work process thoroughly, issue and cancel permits only within authorization, and coordinate plant chemistry-related activities with the Chemist.
• Follow planned operating schedules to achieve production availability targets safely and efficiently, and coordinate any operational changes with the Operations Manager.
• Make prompt decisions to resolve abnormalities, handle disturbances, and respond effectively during emergencies.
• Oversee startup checklists, interlock checks, protection tests, and non-routine activities such as preservation and acid cleaning.
• Authorize maintenance work permits where permitted, normalize equipment after release, and carry out required testing following maintenance.
• Track plant status, document shift activities in the logbook, and prepare daily operating reports.
• Maintain employee evaluation records, leave plans, and related personnel documentation.
• Prepare incident and accident reports, along with any other required departmental reports, and submit them within the required timelines.
• Keep accurate records of plant activities on an ongoing basis.
• Support onboarding, familiarisation, and training of new shift personnel.
• Recommend modifications that may improve plant efficiency.
• Ensure environmental aspect-impact and hazard risk assessments are completed, controlled, and kept current.
• Implement, monitor, and report on IMS objectives, targets, and programs.
• Report IMS deviations, identify root causes, and apply corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure compliance with regulations within the assigned scope of work.
• Investigate non-conformances and deviations, determine root causes, and implement corrective and preventive measures.
• Identify skill gaps among reporting staff and take appropriate action to address them.
• Conduct periodic performance reviews for direct reports.
• Provide on-the-job training and assess the performance of new employees during OJT.
• Identify, document, and control hazards in the assigned work area.
• Ensure identified environmental and operational aspects are monitored and that controls are followed.
• Manage emergencies, incidents, and near misses.
• Coordinate with the load dispatch centre as required.
• Perform other duties assigned by management.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or an equivalent qualification.
• At least 8 years of experience in a power, desalination, or RO plant environment.
• Strong understanding of quality, occupational health and safety, and environmental management principles.
• Working knowledge of relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Practical experience with root cause analysis.
• Ability to assess hazards and risks, including environmental aspect-impact reviews.
• Investigation skills and familiarity with spill containment procedures.
• Capability to manage HSE emergencies effectively.
• Knowledge of waste classification, handling, and disposal practices.
• Understanding of emission monitoring practices and key parameters.
• Solid knowledge of power, desalination, and RO plant operations.
• Sound decision-making under pressure.
• Strong leadership and analytical abilities.

Additional Information

Reporting line: Operations Manager

Location: Jubail, Eastern, Saudi Arabia

Work arrangement: Full-time, onsite

Openings: Not specified

Salary: Not disclosed