Let’s find your next opportunity
AI Assistant: {{ chat.assistant.message }}
{{meta?.totalCount}}
results found
Sort By
{{ job.job_posting_title
}}
{{ job.job_posting_title }}
{{ job.is_cms_job ? (job.cities.split(';').length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) : (job.location_mappings.length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) }}
We are sorry there are no jobs that match your exact criteria. Try a new search term, or use the filters to continue browsing for available opportunities.
Suggested roles matches
{{ job.title }}
{{ job.title }}
{{ [job.cities[0], job.regions[0], job.countries[0]].join(', ') }}
Various locations
We are sorry there are no jobs that match your exact criteria. Try a new search term, or use the filters to continue browsing for available opportunities.
Let’s find your next opportunity
{{ job.job_posting_title
}}
{{ job.job_posting_title }}
{{ job.is_cms_job ? (job.cities.split(';').length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) : (job.location_mappings.length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) }}
Are you planning to move abroad to Saudi Arabia to take advantage of the excellent career opportunities in the Kingdom? If so, it's crucial that you understand Saudization and how it might affect you and your career path.
What exactly is Saudization, and why is it so important? Read on to find out.
What is Saudization?
Officially known as the Saudi Nationalisation Scheme or Nitaqat, Saudization was first introduced in 1985 by the Ministry of Labour. At its core, the policy mandates that Saudi companies must hire a certain number of Saudi Nationals to meet their quota or nitaqat.
However, in the past five to ten years, the government has set aside specific jobs in Saudi Arabia just for Saudi nationals. This move is meant to decrease Saudi unemployment and encourage equal opportunities for men and women.
Why is Saudization important?
Essentially, Saudization is helping local people get jobs in Saudi Arabia. This is especially beneficial for women, who have more access to civil engineering jobs and other careers in the country than ever before.
While the KSA realises that while their economy needs to embrace foreign workers and companies to compete on the global stage, they don't want to leave their own people behind.
What progress has been made so far?
Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed unprecedented growth and change in its employment and tourism sectors. More than ever, immigration is soaring as professionals seeking jobs in Saudi Arabia flock to the Kingdom.
The Saudization program has now been underway for more than ten years. During this time, the Nitaqat (quota) framework has ensured private companies meet specific Saudization thresholds, including employing minimum numbers of Saudi nationals, including youth fresh from university
Companies that comply with Nitaqat receive favourable ratings, with the highest compliance rated Platinum. Platinum companies receive many benefits and privileges, including streamlined immigration requests. On the other hand, companies that do not comply with the Nitaqat framework face barriers when trying to employ foreign workers, encouraging them to follow the framework's guidelines
In the past few years, the system has benefitted from several revisions, including modifications designed to align the framework with Vision 2030 plans. More companies can now apply for block vias quotas, labour market testing requirements have been relaxed, and Saudi employees now count as part of the company's rating immediately instead of after 26 weeks.
What impact does Saudization have on foreign workers in KSA?
In most cases, foreigners won't notice Saudization while working in jobs in Saudi Arabia. Instead, they'll go about their typical tasks and duties, just as they would in any other country.
However, the government has selected twelve specific private-sector jobs in Saudi Arabiathat are only open to Saudi nationals. This was done to help quell the high Saudi unemployment rate and ensure that local men and women benefit from the bustling economy. These jobs are primarily in sales and retail, including selling glasses, medical equipment, watches, motorbikes, and cars.
What can we expect to see in the future for KSA?
Saudi Arabia predicts a massive boom in tourism and growth over the next seven years, in line with their Vision 2030goals. The country is currently developing many archaeological sites and luxury resorts to encourage tourism, which has been allowed since the introduction of tourist visas in 2019
Find your next role in Saudi Arabia at AtkinsRéalis
There are plenty of exciting roles and opportunities in Saudi Arabia for foreigners and locals alike. Project management jobs, architecture and planning jobs, and engineering jobs are all available for dynamic and skilled professionals.
You could work on exciting projects, such as revitalising Historic Jeddah, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, or the AlUla Project. Saudi Arabia emphasises the importance of Green initiatives and net zero goals so this is an opportunity to work on projects that benefit the planet.
AtkinsRéalis currently have opportunities in Saudi Arabia – now is the time to find out more about jobs in Saudi Arabia, join the talent community, and sign up for job alerts.
Related blogs
Sam on turning climate science into practical decisions
Meet Sam, a Principal Climate Adaptation Consultant helping clients navigate climate risk with confidence.
Shaping sustainable impact at scale with Mania
Meet Mania, a sustainability leader turning bold ambitions into infrastructure that delivers lasting value for people, communities, and the environment.
This is what sustainability really looks like: Athena Cheng's story
An inside look at how sustainability goes beyond data. Bringing inclusion, empathy, and real community impact into infrastructure projects.
The lessons 23 years in engineering will teach you: Suraya Dolah’s story
Meet Suraya Dolah and read about her 23 year journey in engineering shaped by passion, resilience, and impact.
Not your typical engineering career: Danielle’s story across borders
Read how Danielle Lim‑Kwan built a truly global engineering career.
Vanessa on growth, leadership, and meaningful impact
Meet Vanessa and read how she transformed hands-on field experience into impactful leadership and team success.
Engineering impact starts below the surface
Meet Preethi and read how she transforms complex ground engineering challenges into practical solutions that make a lasting impact.
From India to South Korea: building a career in HSE on one of Asia’s biggest pet food expansions
Meet Ashish, and read about what it takes to lead HSE on a major construction project and why he’s invested his career in helping a multinational organisation operate safely.
From delivery to legacy: Smita on engineering what matters
From project delivery to quality leadership, Smita's journey has been guided by a simple belief: great engineering is not just about what we build, but the impact it leaves behind.
Leading geotechnical work with purpose in Québec city
Meet Marielle and read how she built a career that brings together engineering expertise and leadership.
Designing for better learning environments, from Bengaluru to the UK.
Discover how Bhavya is helping design sustainable, future-ready education spaces for UK communities while building her architectural career at AtkinsRéalis.
From tree planting to carbon modelling: A small tradition that shaped a career.
For Faye, sustainability started with a simple habit and grew into a career. From studying geology to contributing to carbon modelling on major infrastructure projects, her journey shows how personal passion can evolve into meaningful impact.
Related jobs
Everyone belongs
We empower each individual to shine and contribute to our collective impact. We believe in the power of unique perspectives. It’s how we’re engineering a better future every single day.