Director System Safety and Assurance

About the role

Mace is seeking a Director of System Safety and Assurance to lead safety assurance across a large mixed‑use development programme in Saudi Arabia. You will shape safety strategy from design through operations, ensuring compliance, risk mitigation, and alignment with net‑zero carbon goals.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement portfolio‑wide safety assurance strategies, plans, processes and tools.
• Define the safety assurance lifecycle, including verification & validation, risk governance, evidence management and reporting.
• Ensure system safety risks are tolerable and ALARP, verifying hazards, RAM targets and operational requirements before acceptance.
• Coordinate independent assurance activities such as audits, inspections, risk workshops and performance monitoring across projects and suppliers.
• Collaborate with project teams, partners and authorities to prepare submissions, secure approvals and deliver compliant safety plans and evidence.
• Build capability through inclusive leadership, coaching and knowledge sharing.
• Represent the programme with key stakeholders and contribute to industry best practice and emerging trends.
• Support net‑zero carbon transition by identifying and managing associated emissions during delivery.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline with a focus on railway systems safety; Master’s degree preferred.
• Recognised professional membership and Chartered Engineer status or equivalent international registration.
• Minimum 20 years of experience in land transport design, construction, operations or maintenance, including at least five years in a senior leadership role on major projects.
• Middle‑East experience advantageous.
• Strong understanding of smart‑city frameworks and sustainable design principles.
• Proven track record delivering safety‑critical assurance evidence and knowledge of international safety performance benchmarks.

Required skills

• Railway systems safety engineering
• Safety assurance lifecycle management
• Verification & Validation (V&V)
• Risk assessment and ALARP methodology
• Safety audits and inspections
• Safety performance measurement and benchmarking
• Compliance with international safety standards

What we offer

• Opportunity to lead safety on one of the largest programmes in Saudi Arabia.
• Collaborative, high‑performing multidisciplinary environment.
• Contribution to sustainable, net‑zero infrastructure delivery.