How Mohamed manages mega engineering projects from conception to completion

Tell us a little bit about your professional background?

I am a project director with over 25 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of major transportation and civil infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East region. I manage mega projects from conception to completion by working collaboratively with architects, engineers, vendors and local officials to ensure the timely and efficient completion of projects.

I have a thorough understanding of general infrastructure project needs and delivery through managing consultants’ design deliverables for industrial, commercial and residential communities, including roadway alignment design, drainage design, utility engineering, traffic safety, and the preparation of plans, specifications and estimates (PS&Es).

I graduated in 1999 with a master’s degree in Transportation Civil Engineering.

What inspired you to become an engineer?

As a child, I always wondered how roads, bridges, highways and infrastructure were built. I was always curious to find out how these massive structures were designed and constructed. This inquisitiveness and curiosity stayed with me through high school. Soon I became passionate about it and decided to pursue my dream to become a civil engineer, one who designs and builds these networks.

What is the coolest thing you are working on?

Currently, I am involved in many fantastic and exciting projects; however, being part of Atkins’ team supporting NEOM as the infrastructure/water lead is a dream come true. I have always wanted to be part of NEOM developments to apply my knowledge and experience.

What do you think has had the biggest impact on your career development to date?

Working for a private firm in the U.S., and then as a consultant for the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, has given me different flavors of experience and exposure to various clients, projects, codes, procedures, manuals…etc. This exposure gave me an advantage, strengthening my knowledge and experience and positively impacting my career development.

What is the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

Usually, life teaches you many lessons, and out of these lessons, you hear and get many bits of advice from people. However, the best advice I was given was by my manager back in the USA: “To keep and make the client happy, continuous communication is the most important aspect of the project.”

What is your favorite quote and why?

My favorite quote is by John Maxwell: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” The reason I like it is that you don’t need a title to be a leader. Leadership is an action, not a position.

Tell us one fun fact about yourself.

I love bananas so much, that I eat 6 to 8 daily. Some of my friends call me “Monkey.”