Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

I am looking to move out to ME as plenty of opportunities in Rail I hear and see in news in KSA, DOHA and UAE. My preference is KSA purely because I am familiar with the culture due to have been raised and educated there as a child.

Can someone on this forum please tell me where to start from. How to get the job and how long could it take from the time of me accepting the job offer to the time I can actually move out.


Also, if someone in this forum can point out on where to look for expat only jobs (from UK) in the above countries, I would appreciate it very much.

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Lots of stuff happening/about to kick off out here but you need good experience to get a decent salary, what's your background?

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Just saw from your other posts that you have 6+ years in rail and Certification Engineer experience. Is that rolling stock, pway, MEP, signalling? It's a bit light experience-wise but you might be lucky for a junior role if you have a needed specialisation. Best site for ME expat rail jobs is railwaypeople.com in my experience. Also try railpersonnel.com and justrail.net. If there's nothing there right away, you can contact most of the main recruitment agencies via Railway People and send them your CV. For Saudi, also try SRO/SRC in Dammam and SAR in Riyadh. For UAE try ERDB either direct or via DB Schenker at Toton, or RTA, Serco or Alstom in Dubai. In Qatar, there's QR and DB. Serco have nearly finished up in Doha so no point them. Oman is only just starting. Engineers/PMCs like Systra, Parsons and Aecom have fingers in pies right across the region. Otherwise, plenty of grunt work around for less money if your heart's set on Saudi.

A lot of vacancies go unadvertised - in fact I'd say more than not in the Middle East rail sector. Either an agent approaches you, which is most common, or it's word of mouth. You need to get more experience, realistically, first though.

Time to land a job can be anything from relatively quick (took me just under 3 months from seeing ad to start date for this one) to dragged out/never (still in the frame for a job I was approached for 14 months ago).

Just a question of plugging away till something comes up. Good luck.

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Standanista, many thanks for important pieces of advice. My 7 year experience is in rolling stock (depot, management, and more recently certification consultant). By review of job adverts for ME, I appreciate 7 years is light but I don't want to wait until I have 10+ experience as the vacancies that are hot now may not be around then, more so the competition will be high as things will stabilize etc.


KSA is the preference purely because of the savings I can make there. How would you rate UAE and Qatar against KSA in terms of overall packages.
Also, how much is 'less money' in KSA. I applied for a position with a German Rail company in Jeddah and first question they have asked me is about my salary expectation? I am not sure what shall I respond with? can you guide please

Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

hi,
I applied for a vacancy with a German company in Jeddah, KSA. As part of the screening, they have asked me what are my salary expectations for this role.


Frankly, I have not a clue. I am currently earning £45k in UK however I am not sure whether I will be offered this much in KSA due to somewhat 'light' experience.

Can experienced members please help me urgently so that I can respond back to them.

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

No worries.

In general, management-level rail jobs in Saudi, Qatar and Abu Dhabi pay better than Dubai. I'd say Saudi and Qatar are currently pretty similar money-wise for rail.

To give you a few markers, and for the benefit of anybody else looking at rail jobs in the region, this is what I know:

I have a couple of mates in the Dubai rail industry with your level of experience and they're making AED 30k-40k/month plus medical, annual flight home and 30k p.a. towards accommodation but no other benefits. That's Dubai though. You'd get more in Abu Dhabi or Riyadh with your experience, working for somebody like TUV. I heard SAR 60k/month for a relatively junior consulting role in KSA in railway systems assurance but that's probably towards the top of the bracket for someone with 7 years under their belt plus it's a niche position.

Further up the scale, for 15+ years seniority, Qatar Rail are currently paying a couple of other mates QAR 65k-70k/month plus 15k/month accommodation plus flights. For a consultancy role in Saudi, placed into the public sector, I was quoted SAR 87.5k/month lump sum on an initial 12 month contract for a job wanting a minimum 15 years in the industry. Some of the more senior Qatar and KSA roles are well into 6 figures per month.

For the German/Jeddah role, if you give me more info on the exact position I might be able to help further. I'm presuming either TUV or DB/Jeddah Metro shadow operator bid or Haramain High Speed?

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Thanks again for useful info. Please see PM.

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Sorted. ;)

re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

It would help if you say what you're applying for

re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

And REFRAIN FROM SHOUTING. It is rude.

re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

Apologies, the role is of a testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock), typical JD that you find in West.



What do you mean?

re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

2-2.5x times current plus housing.

re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

thanks Millhouse :thumbsup:


do I quote a figure for housing or just mention 'plus housing'

re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

I think that's ambitious.

re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

What would be a sensible offer in your opinion please?

re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

I'm not sure exactly, but over £100k for a test and commissioning engineer with "light" experience seems a lot. I'm not familiar with the rail industry, but am familiar with engineering in general, and that figure seems way high. I would have thought that the salary would be similar to that of a similar engineer in engineering / construction, which I'd ballpark at £60k, but you need to do the research -- it's your industry.

re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

And the best technique is to evade the question, and get them to make an offer--which you can then, hopefully, negotiate upwards.

re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

Tahir

On a forum like this, using capital letters is construed as SHOUTING and is not polite.

re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

:confused_smile:

Ive got so much to learn.

Apologies!

Re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

It is normal netequitte. Also making peremptory demands such as RESPONSE REQUIRED will put peoples backs up. Well maybe only mine 'cause I'm a grumpy old git who has been off work sick for two weeks GGggggrrrrrhhhhh!

Re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

in KSA?

45k-60k is a good salary in Derby, it isn't in KSA.

As for light experience, this is the GCC and in particular KSA - since when did experience matter.

Re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

Not wishing to disparage the OP, but I'd guess that a test and commissioning engineer probably isn't that high up the scale (if I'm wrong, I apologise humbly in advance). If that's true, then a savvy employer (German, as stated) is likely to take into consideration a) experience, and b) the difference between the OP's current take-home salary and what he could earn in UK. £45k gross gives £33k net (ignoring pension deductions atl), £60k in Saudi gives £60k. Most employers would emphasise the fact that £60k in Saudi gives nearly double the OP's current take-home salary.

I know European employers who use that logic. And worse.

Re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

I am surprised that these positions are not being filled from India.

Re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

Like i said above, the application is at screening stage. Who knows whether it gets past that or not. Offcourse if i was the employer, i would hire someone from South Asia for such a role. the reason for me putting in is just to get out there even if i earn same or less that £45-50K as it will be tax free.
Plus i will be getting international experience. Is there anything to stop me from applying for a better job i.e. or get promoted to say test and commisioning manager or are you stuck with the job that you take before you leave the UK. Surely expats who have been out in the ME for years have progressed on to bigger and better positions etc. Correct me if iam wrong.

Re: Salary expectation for testing and commissioning engineer (rolling stock) in KSA
 

I kind of want to believe in that so much. It sounds true, a term 'wasta' comes to mind!

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Hi, anyone got an idea about Train Drivers jobs in KSA (Saudi Arabia)? I am professional train driver in UK with 7 years of experience. I wanted to relocate to Saudi Arabia as a Train Driver, any idea? Thanks

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

What is the breakdown of nationalities of those working for Saudi Railways ? I suspect that there has been Saudi-isation of the labour force. My only experience was as a passenger on the Dammam-Riyadh route. I was very impressed.

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Hi, need some advice from the voices of wisdom here������. I'm a train driver here in the uk and thinking of signing up for a train driver vacancy in the UAE (don't know specific location although its rumoured to be in Dubai or Abu Dhabi) and would like to know the average salary of a freight and/or passenger train driver.
Any advice is most welcome.
Ps: is it true that they earn between $140k-160k?

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

If it's UAE it will be based in Marfa, middle of nowhere on the coast between Abu Dhabi city and the Saudi border. DB Schenker should be able to give you pay info. No driving jobs in Dubai at the mo other than trams or OTP for the metro, and money for them jobs not good by Western standards. Good luck.

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Thanks for that. I checked their website but no info on pay. Will probably email to enquire about it. Any clue as to what freight drivers earn in UAE?

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Dunno but will be at Etihad Rail in Marfa next week so will ask if I get the chance. Last I heard, the blokes were still on UK contracts with DB Schenker. I would call/email Toton shed, they should be able to tell you.

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Thanks Standanista! You're a legend!! I'll await any info you get when you return from your trip. Will also take your advice and contact Toton shed.

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Good stuff mate, I'll try and grab a couple of drivers next week, see what the story is. I should think the money for ex-UK drivers would be similar ballpark but tax free. If they start to recruit from India etc that could well drop, but there would still be slots for Driver-Trainers etc on better £££. Was the job advertised or word of mouth?

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Thanks man! The job is on the DB website. Considering coming out there so I can get experience in other countries. Will look good on my cv

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Hi guys/girls though I haven't saw any female posts.
I have a proposed offer through Etihad Rail for a train drivers position. The offer is in the region of 37,000AED per month which is made up of 60% basic salary 32% accommodation allowance and 8% expenses allowance. On working days accommodation and food are provided free of charge at the depot in Mirfa. I have decided against bringing my family out and therefore would be on my own. How does this salary stand up there in todays market or should I be looking at more. I can also say that provided I have worked out the currency rate properly the base salary is less per annum than I get in the UK although it is tax free. Any one have any advice on this for me.

thanks in advance

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

I visited Etihad Rail DB a few weeks back and was very impressed. They've got a really good setup and I think it would be a decent place to work. The joint venture is 51% Emirati owned and 49% German, so a good combination of plenty of money put into it plus Teutonic efficiency. The management team seemed to be largely British and German with Emirati top brass. The EMD locos are beasts, 4500hp, plus there's the usual collection of yellow machines including some top-spec tamping kit and a sand plough. They run 1.8km, 110-wagon consists with three locos on the front and ERTMS level 2 train control. 100% of the traffic on this phase of the project is sulphur, which is a by-product of gas extraction, and the operation is pretty much merry-go-round except for a bit of shunting back at depot. Money-wise, nobody would give me a figure on driver salaries, unfortunately, but I wouldn't personally come for anything other than a decent premium on what you're making now, all costs considered; it's a nice railway but ultimately you're stuck right out in the desert and the maths needs to work to make up for the hardship.

The current accommodation is out at a camp in Ruwais, near the Saudi border, where there's more to do than in Mirfa/Marfa itself (well, Ruwais has got a shopping mall and a few extra palm trees and black hosepipes), but they're building permanent accommodation in Mirfa township near the depot.

I would check up on the exact accommodation arrangements because days off can get pricey. There's a single hotel in Mirfa on the seafront which is good quality (officially a 3-star but good for that, the rooms are massive) and has a bar and restaurant, but it's not cheap, and there's nothing to do around town beyond a supermarket, a few other shops/hair salons and going fishing. Some of the ERDB fellas I talked to head into Abu Dhabi on their days off. Dubai can be a long drive just for the weekend if you hit traffic. Doha is 4 hours by car from Mirfa (less from Ruwais), but you'd need permission to get through Saudi and I don't know how that works.

Good luck, would be interested to hear how you get on.

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Rob, very informative post for people who are considering the move to ERDB, many thanks!

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

Just re-reading thebhoys01's post, if the base is less but the overall package more, plus you have 5/7ths food and accommodation paid, plus it's tax free, plus there's the end of service gratuity, and no booze to spend your money on while on shift, that looks an okay deal to me. That's a £6,666 salary. You could send home £5k a month.

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

No worries Tahir.

Re: Railway Jobs in Saudi Arabia
 

What do you think of the package Ive been offered Sandanista, is that livable with money to save or just enough to get by