Field Operator

Role overview

This position is for a field operator supporting desalination plant operations in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. The role focuses on safely running local equipment, monitoring plant conditions, and helping maintain stable water production in line with control room instructions and site procedures.

Key accountabilities

• Operate and observe local equipment according to approved procedures and dispatch directions from the Water Control Centre.
• Use local PLC and SCADA systems to control equipment, track plant conditions, and manage emergency situations when needed.
• Carry out RO unit start-up and shutdown activities following standard operating procedures.
• Work with Shift Engineers and Control Room Operators to isolate equipment under work permits for maintenance tasks.
• Gather field data needed to calculate normalized permeate flow, normalized salt passage, and normalized differential pressure through membrane normalization software.
• Prepare and update information used in daily and monthly reporting.
• Monitor the chemical dosing system closely to ensure correct operation.
• Support chemical unloading activities and keep track of chemical stock levels.
• Assist with chemical cleaning, flushing, and preservation (CIP) work whenever required.
• Take part in operating activities, fault diagnosis, and troubleshooting across the desalination facility.
• Record field readings for shift logs and data reports in line with the WPA, O&M Agreement, and company procedures.
• Enter routine readings into the shift log sheet.
• Oversee equipment changeovers and confirm that standby units remain healthy and ready for use.
• Watch operating parameters, identify abnormal conditions, and suggest corrective actions.
• Support the O&M Manager or Shift Engineer in incident reporting, root cause analysis, and follow-up corrective measures.

Health, safety, and working conditions

• Ensure safe local operation of the desalination plant during the shift.
• Follow the company emergency response procedure in the event of an incident.
• Act as the designated person/issuer under the company safety rules.
• Comply with local laws as well as the company HSES policy and procedures.
• Take responsibility for personal safety, the safety of others, and environmental protection.
• Report unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, near misses, and accidents, and help reduce risk.
• The role is performed in a controlled hazardous environment.

Work level, exposure, and protective equipment

Work Level 5 on the OSHA scale (1 to 6): the activities involve risks that are controlled through procedures, supervision, safety devices, and HSE teams. Failure to follow controls could result in serious injury or death.

Exposure to risk includes traffic/automobile accidents, ergonomic issues, and hazards associated with inspections, site visits, operations, and maintenance work.

Required personal protective equipment includes a hard hat/safety helmet, ear protection (plugs or earmuffs), safety glasses, safety shoes, dust mask, cotton coveralls, safety gloves, cotton vest, and respiratory mask.

Recommended health protection equipment includes ergonomic office equipment.

Medical requirements

• Pre-employment medical checks include a complete physical examination, visual acuity test, color blindness test, pulmonary function test, and audiometric test.
• For candidates older than 45 years, recommended tests include complete blood count, blood chemistry (glucose, urea, and creatinine), urine examination, electrocardiogram, and PA chest X-ray.
• For blood pressure, the acceptable level should not exceed 135/85; if there is an existing issue, an individual monitoring program applies.
• In cases of obesity, a weight monitoring and reduction program will be implemented.

Essential qualifications

• B.Sc. Engineering or a diploma in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Electronics, Instrumentation, or Control Engineering.
• 1 to 2 years of industry experience in Water Treatment, MSF, MED, RO, or Power Plant operations.

Business and company details

Business Unit: GBU Renewables & Flexible Power

Division: GEN International - KSA

Legal Entity: Engie Yanbu for Operation & Maintenance

Company Name: ENGIE Saudi Arabia