Senior Utilities Network Engineer

The Senior Utilities Network Engineer is a specialist role responsible for reviewing and verifying all external utilities network design deliverables produced by the appointed design consultant for a large-scale, phased residential Design & Build development on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The role focuses specifically on external utility networks — covering potable water, irrigation, electrical power distribution, and telecommunications infrastructure — ensuring that all submitted designs meet project requirements, Abu Dhabi authority standards, and applicable codes of practice before approval for construction.

The successful candidate will bring deep technical expertise across external utility networks in the UAE and Abu Dhabi context. MEP systems design review is managed by the MEP Network Engineer reporting to this role; the Senior Utilities Network Engineer provides technical oversight and coordination across both utility and MEP streams.

Key responsibilities include:

Utilities Design Review & Verification

• Review all external utilities design submissions from the appointed consultant including drawings, network calculations, specifications, and reports.
• Verify that utility network designs comply with ADDC, ADDED, DM, and other applicable Abu Dhabi authority standards and project requirements.
• Assess potable water network designs including pipe sizing, pressure analysis, hydraulic modelling, storage provisions, and ADDC connection requirements.
• Review irrigation network designs including distribution layouts, pressure zones, pump station provisions, and connection arrangements.
• Evaluate high voltage (HV) and low voltage (LV) electrical power distribution network designs including substation layouts, cable routing, and ADDC infrastructure requirements.
• Review street lighting network designs and external electrical distribution provisions.
• Assess telecommunications and IT network designs including ducting routes, fibre layouts, manhole schedules, and authority provider requirements.
• Verify utility corridor coordination and integration across all discipline networks within the site masterplan.
• Identify design deficiencies, clashes, or non-conformances and prepare formal technical review comments for consultant response and close-out.
• Maintain a utility design submission register and track review cycles, comment status, and approval milestones across all utility streams.

Authority & Compliance

• Ensure utility design submissions are aligned with ADDC, ADDED, DM, TASAREEH, and telecommunications authority provider requirements.
• Provide technical input to support NOC applications and authority review processes across all utility disciplines.
• Stay current with Abu Dhabi utility authority connection standards, design manuals, and Yas Island-specific infrastructure provisions.

Construction Support

• Review and comment on utility shop drawings, contractor submittals, and method statements during the construction phase.
• Support resolution of technical queries (RFIs) and design clarifications for utility works during construction.
• Conduct periodic site visits to verify utility network installations are executed in accordance with approved designs.
• Support utility testing, commissioning, and handover processes to ADDC and other relevant authority operators.

Coordination & Reporting

• Provide technical oversight and coordination to the MEP Network Engineer to ensure utility and MEP designs are fully integrated.
• Coordinate with the Infrastructure Lead Engineer and roads/drainage team to ensure utility networks are integrated across the full infrastructure scope.
• Attend design review meetings, utility coordination workshops, and authority meetings as required.
• Prepare and maintain design review logs, technical comment registers, and submission tracking reports for all utility streams.
• Escalate unresolved utility design issues to the Infrastructure Lead Engineer in a timely manner.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university — mandatory.
• Master's Degree in a relevant engineering discipline — advantageous.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with IET, IMechE, CIBSE, or equivalent — preferred but not mandatory.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in external utilities network engineering, with strong UAE project experience.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing external utility design packages (water, power, irrigation, telecoms) on large-scale residential or master development projects in Abu Dhabi.
• Strong working knowledge of ADDC standards for HV/LV power and potable water networks — essential.
• Prior experience on Yas Island projects or with Yas Island/Miral authority requirements — highly advantageous.
• Experience in Design & Build projects covering both pre-construction design review and construction phase support.
• Familiarity with MEP systems design sufficient for design integration and coordination oversight.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Civil 3D — mandatory for utility design review and mark-up.
• Ability to interpret and critically review utility network drawings, hydraulic calculations, load schedules, and power distribution reports.
• Knowledge of ADDC electrical and water network standards and connection requirements — essential.
• Familiarity with BIM/3D coordination and utility clash detection workflows — advantageous.
• Working knowledge of document control and project management systems.

Other Requirements

• Valid UAE driving licence — required.
• Excellent written and spoken English; Arabic is advantageous.
• Strong coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple utility review streams simultaneously.
• Good leadership and communication skills for overseeing the MEP engineer and interfacing with authority representatives.

Key Competencies

• External Utilities Network Technical Expertise (Water, Power, Irrigation, Telecoms)
• Design Review & Quality Assurance
• ADDC & Abu Dhabi Utility Regulatory Compliance
• Utility Coordination & Clash Resolution
• Technical Oversight of MEP Integration
• Stakeholder Communication & Authority Engagement

Relevant Abu Dhabi Authorities & Standards

The successful candidate is expected to have strong working knowledge of the following authorities and standards:

• Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) — HV/LV electrical power and potable water network standards and connection requirements.
• Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (ADDED) — energy efficiency, sustainability, and utility network compliance.
• Department of Municipalities (DM) — development and planning compliance for utility infrastructure.
• TASAREEH — permit and approval management platform for Abu Dhabi construction works.
• Telecommunications authority providers — ducting, fibre, and network infrastructure requirements.
• Department of Transport (DOT) — utility corridor and road crossing coordination requirements.
• Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC) — utility corridor coordination with drainage networks.

Nova International General Contracting is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are treated fairly and with respect. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, experience, and business requirements, without unlawful discrimination, and in accordance with applicable UAE labor and employment laws. All hiring and employment is subject to compliance with UAE regulatory requirements, including those relating to work permits and residency visas, where applicable.