Research Translation Engineer - Water Desalination and Distribution

Department/Division: Research Translation Hub

Job Title: Research Translation Engineer - Water Desalination and Distribution

Reports to: Manager, Research Translation

Position Summary

Reporting to the Research Translation Manager, the Water Desalination & Distribution Engineer will provide technical engineering expertise, design support, and research translation guidance across a broad range of water desalination, treatment, and distribution projects at KAUST. The engineer will contribute to the early-stage development, prototyping, and deployment of advanced technologies spanning seawater desalination (thermal, membrane, electrochemical), hydraulics and pipeline design, smart water distribution networks, wastewater treatment, and water chemistry processes. This role requires working collaboratively alongside researchers, engineers, technologists, and industrial partners to convert scientific innovations into functional engineered systems. Activities span early‑stage research translation, technology scale‑up, field deployment, pilot‑unit engineering, technical assessments, and system performance optimization.

Major Responsibilities

· Lead and provide engineering support for desalination, water treatment, and water distribution research translation projects.

· Design, model, and optimize desalination systems including RO, MD, ED, and thermal processes.

· Work with the Research Translation team to prototype and fabricate desalination/hydraulics subsystems using KAUST workshops and external vendors.

· Evaluate performance of prototype systems and pilot units; identify improvement pathways and scaling potential.

· Develop and execute structured test plans for prototype and pilot systems, including KPI definition, data acquisition, and performance benchmarking against design targets

· Conduct design reviews ensuring alignment with engineering principles, safety standards, and project requirements.

· Create engineering documentation including system specifications, test plans, P&IDs, process flow diagrams (PFDs), and mechanical drawings.

· Engage in resource recovery research, supporting development of water reuse, nutrient recycling, and energy recovery technologies.

· Lead and assist in developing technology maturity roadmaps (TRL-based) and conduct gap analyses for desalination/distribution innovations.

· Support risk assessments, troubleshooting, root‑cause analysis, and performance diagnostics for deployed systems.

· Contribute to project planning, cost estimation, and technical feasibility studies; track engineering milestones and communicate progress to project leads and stakeholders.

Personal Requirements:

Competencies

· Experience with RO, thermal desalination (VC, MSF, MED), electrodialysis, and membrane distillation.

· Understanding membrane performance, fouling behavior, and energy‑water optimization.

· Knowledge of high‑pressure pumping systems and membrane process hydraulics.

· Familiarity with brine management, disposal strategies, and environmental compliance.

· Knowledge of water‑network hydraulics, pipeline sizing, and pressure management.

· Experience using PIPENET or similar tools for hydraulic modeling.

· Familiarity with SCADA, IoT sensors, and real‑time monitoring for smart water networks.

· Knowledge of leak detection technologies and non-revenue water (NRW) reduction strategies.

· Understanding water reuse, nutrient recovery, and energy capture.

· Mechanical design of high‑pressure pipelines, pump housings, and treatment‑unit components.

· Ability to interpret drawings, P&IDs, and mechanical schematics.

· Experience with pilot‑unit fabrication, commissioning, and troubleshooting.

· Familiarity with relevant standards and codes (e.g., AWWA, ASME, ISO 24512) for water infrastructure design

· Understanding activated sludge, nutrient removal, and sludge processes.

· Experience with MBRs, membrane fouling, and cleaning strategies.

· Knowledge of adsorption, photocatalysis, and advanced oxidation processes.

· Familiarity with water‑quality parameters and contaminant‑removal mechanisms.

· Ability to translate research into engineered systems and prototypes.

· Strong analytical, communication, and documentation skills.

· Ability to work across multiple projects and interdisciplinary teams

· Experience preparing technical reports, reviewing grant proposals, or regulatory submissions

Qualifications

· Degree in Environmental, Chemical, Water Resources, or Mechanical Engineering with relevant industry experience

Experience

· 6 to 10 years of relevant research/engineering experience in an industry setting

· Demonstrated working knowledge in concept prototyping, skid mounted pilot plants and product development.

· Execute technology transfer projects, resolve processing issues, and conduct technical assessments on process/product impact due to changes in equipment, scale, and raw materials.

· Experience analyzing engineering diagrams, specifications, related data, and drawings to determine design factors such as scale, shape, and arrangement of unit operations.

· Experience with desalination process design, membrane technologies, or thermal systems.

· Experience in water distribution system engineering, hydraulics, or pipeline design.

· Demonstrated experience executing technology transfer or research translation projects, including resolving processing issues and assessing impact of changes in equipment, scale, or raw materials.

· Proven ability to interpret and produce engineering diagrams, mechanical layouts, and water‑process unit operations.

· Industry experience ensuring systems are reliable, manufacturable, and cost‑efficient.

· Knowledge of technology readiness levels, prototyping methodologies, and translational research pathways.

Work Location: In person