At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
Your impact
Jacobs is looking for an experienced Technical Director - HighSpeed Rail to be part of our Rail team in Abu Dhabi. In this position, you will shape the technical vision, engineering strategy, and multidisciplinary integration of a major detailed design highspeed rail project, ensuring solutions that are safe and futureready. This role leads diverse technical teams including civil, systems, rolling stock, operations, and digital engineering to deliver outcomes that reflect Jacobs commitment to innovation, integrity, and a more connected society. Success requires deep expertise in highspeed rail engineering as well as the ability to inspire and empower teams, and a collaborative approach that brings together partners, stakeholders, and communities to deliver transformative rail infrastructure that improves mobility and enhances quality of life.
Here's What You Will Do
- Lead the overall technical strategy, engineering direction, and design integration for a highspeed rail program from concept through delivery.
- Oversee multidisciplinary engineering teams covering track, civil structures, stations, systems, signaling, rolling stock, power supply, and operations.
- Ensure compliance with global highspeed rail standards, safety regulations, and performance requirements.
- Manage technical interfaces between design, construction, systems integration, and operations teams.
- Provide expert guidance on highspeed rail technologies, alignment design, train control systems, and operational concepts.
- Review and approve technical documentation, design submissions, and engineering deliverables.
- Lead risk identification and mitigation strategies across all technical domains.
- Collaborate with government authorities, consultants, contractors, and international partners to ensure alignment on technical requirements.
- Support procurement strategies, technical specifications, and evaluation of major systems and rolling stock packages.
- Drive innovation, digital engineering, and sustainability initiatives within the program.
- Represent the project in highlevel technical forums, stakeholder meetings, and executive reviews.
Here's what you'll need
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field (Master's preferred).
- 20+ years of experience in rail engineering, with at least 5 years in highspeed rail programs.
- Proven leadership in delivering largescale, complex, multidisciplinary rail or transportation infrastructure projects.
- Strong understanding of international highspeed rail standards (e.g., EN, UIC, FRA).
- Expertise in highspeed alignment design, track systems, and civil structures.
- Deep knowledge of signaling, train control (ETCS/CBTC), traction power, and systems integration.
From our inclusive employee networks to our positive mental health champions we're committed to driving a culture of caring where you can be you. Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally - and together, our diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds power our collective strength. We collaborate and share! By supporting one another, we all succeed.
With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You'll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities to do good too from participating in our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place.
No matter what drives you, you'll discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals all at a single global company.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.
