Project Director, Technical (Metro)

SYSTRA is one of the world’s leading engineering and consultancy groups specialising in public transport and sustainable mobility. With over 10,300 employees, SYSTRA’s mission is to design safe and sustainable transport solutions to bring people together, develop social inclusion and facilitate access to employment, education and leisure throughout the world.

For 65 years, the Group has been working alongside cities and regions to contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their infrastructure and transport systems, throughout the life cycle of their projects. SYSTRA is involved from the earliest stages of design through to the testing, deployment and maintenance phases. The company provides all its services in over 80 countries worldwide and generates 74% of its turnover internationally. With its new services, SYSTRA supports its clients and partners in their digital, ecological and energy transition, in order to invent the mobility of tomorrow.

Context

This requirement is for a bid opportunity only at this stage. Any engagement will be subject to successful project award and final client approval.

We are seeking a highly experienced Project Director / Technical Director to lead the study and design delivery of major metro projects. The ideal candidate will bring at least 20 years of professional experience in rail and metro infrastructure, with strong expertise across the full project development cycle, including feasibility studies, concept design, preliminary design, and tender documentation phases. Experience in multidisciplinary design management, including coordination of out-of-country design

centres and subconsultants, is essential. Experience in the Middle East will be considered a strong advantage.

This role requires both strategic leadership and deep technical oversight, ensuring high-quality multidisciplinary design delivery, effective client engagement, commercial performance, and successful coordination across internal teams, international design offices, and external stakeholders.

Missions/Main Duties

The Project Director / Technical Director will provide overall leadership for metro study and design assignments, ensuring that technical, commercial, and program objectives are achieved. The successful candidate will direct multidisciplinary teams involved in rail planning, civil, structural, geotechnical, systems, stations, depots, track, MEP, architecture, and interface management.

The role includes leading and reviewing project development activities from early-stage feasibility and concept studies through preliminary design and tender package preparation. The candidate will oversee technical quality, design integration, risk management, client communication, stakeholder coordination, and management of distributed design delivery models involving international design centres and specialist subconsultants.

The individual will also act as the senior point of contact for clients, authorities, partners, and key project stakeholders, supporting business development activities where required and contributing to bid preparation, methodology definition, resource planning, and project strategy.

• Lead the delivery of metro and urban rail study/design projects from feasibility stage through tender stage.
• Provide technical direction and strategic oversight across multidisciplinary design teams.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, resources, and overall performance.
• Lead multidisciplinary design management across internal teams, out-of-country design centres, and subconsultants.
• Ensure effective coordination, interface management, and quality control across geographically distributed design teams.
• Oversee the preparation and review of feasibility studies, concept designs, preliminary designs, and tender documents.
• Ensure integration between civil, structural, architectural, track, systems, depot, and operational requirements.
• Ensure compliance with client requirements, local regulations, international standards, and project governance procedures.
• Manage interfaces with clients, authorities, operators, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Identify project risks and opportunities and implement mitigation strategies.
• Support value engineering, constructability reviews, and design optimization.
• Provide leadership in quality assurance and technical review processes.
• Review and manage the outputs of partner organizations and specialist subconsultants to ensure alignment with project requirements.
• Mentor senior engineers and discipline leads and foster a high-performance project environment.
• Support proposals, bids, and business development initiatives related to metro and rail opportunities.

Profile/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline.
• A master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred.
• Minimum 20 years of relevant professional experience in metro, rail, or major urban transit infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience in metro projects is essential.
• Proven experience in the following project phases is mandatory:
  • Feasibility studies
  • Concept design
  • Preliminary design
  • Tender stage / tender documentation
• Strong experience in multidisciplinary design management.
• Proven experience managing design delivery involving out-of-country design centres and subconsultants.
• Strong experience in the management and coordination of multidisciplinary design teams.
• Proven ability to lead large and complex transportation infrastructure projects.
• Experience dealing directly with clients, government authorities, and key stakeholders.
• Middle East project experience is a strong advantage.
• Professional registration or chartership is an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of metro and urban rail project development.
• Understanding of alignment design, station planning, depot concepts, interfaces, and systems integration.
• Familiarity with international design codes, rail/metro standards, and project delivery best practices.
• Strong understanding of tender documentation, technical specifications, design reports, and scope definition.
• Ability to review and challenge technical solutions to ensure safety, efficiency, and value.
• Strong capability in managing design interfaces across multiple disciplines, offices, and external consultants.

Systra is an equal opportunities company; this position is open to all applicants.