Discipline Manager: Irrigation

Discipline Manager: Irrigation - (ENG-L8.78)Zutari: Co-creating an Engineered ImpactZutari is a purpose-driven, management-owned engineering and advisory firm with over 90 years of experience across the Middle East and Africa. We are human-centred consultants who collaborate with clients, communities, and partners to co-create sustainable infrastructure solutions that leave a positive and lasting legacy.In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Zutari is playing a critical role in supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals by delivering innovative, sustainable water solutions that address water scarcity, urbanization, and environmental stewardship.About the RoleThe Discipline Manager (Irrigation) will lead the irrigation design review and site delivery assurance on behalf of the PMC, ensuring irrigation systems are safe, compliant, constructible, cost-effective, and aligned to programme, quality, and sustainability objectives. The role provides technical governance across the full lifecycle, concept/design review through construction, testing, commissioning and handover coordinating closely with landscape, utilities, civil, electrical/controls, and O&M stakeholders.Key Objectives / OutcomesProvide technical authority for irrigation across the programme and act as the PMC’s focal point for all irrigation matters.Ensure designs meet Saudi/local authority requirements and project standards, with clear risk management and constructability.Drive on-time, right-first-time delivery through rigorous review, RFIs resolution, and field quality oversight.Deliver efficient water use through appropriate system selection, zoning, scheduling, and controls aligned to site water strategy.Manage irrigation engineers/inspectors (where applicable), discipline reviewers, specialist consultants.Key interfaces: Client technical team, design consultants, contractors/subcontractors, landscape architect, utilities/civils, electrical/SCADA/BMS, HSE, QA/QC, planning, commercial/claims, authority liaison.Core Responsibilities (PMC Scope)A) Design Management & Technical AssuranceLead irrigation discipline input and design reviews (concept, schematic, detailed design, IFC) and issue consolidated review comments.Validate basis of design, hydraulic calculations, network zoning, pressure management, pipe sizing/material selection, valve and emitter selection, filtration, fertigation (if applicable), and controls philosophy.Ensure integration with Landscape design intent and plant palettes; Water sources (potable/TSE/groundwater/desalinated as applicable), storage, pumping; Drainage, utilities corridors, roadworks, and structures; Electrical power, telemetry, SCADA/BMS interfaces and communications.Review and recommend approval for contractor shop drawings, method statements, ITPs, and material submittals.Chair/participate in discipline workshops (value engineering, constructability, risk, interfaces).B) Construction Supervision & Quality ControlProvide discipline oversight to ensure installation matches approved drawings, specs and standards.Monitor field activities: trenching/bedding/backfill, pipe installation, thrust blocks, valve chambers, filtration stations, pump stations interfaces, controllers, sensors, wiring, and restoration.Ensure robust QA/QC: inspection hold points, pressure testing, flushing, disinfection (where relevant), calibration, and as-built verification.Lead resolution of irrigation-related RFIs, NCRs, punch lists, and technical queries.Define/verify commissioning plans and acceptance criteria (pressure tests, coverage/uniformity checks, controller programming, sensor validation, leak detection).Oversee seasonal commissioning approach where required (phased zones, seasonal adjustments).Support planning team with discipline inputs: long-lead items (controllers, valves, pumps/filtration), testing windows, commissioning sequences.Support commercial team with technical evaluation of variations/claims related to irrigation.Maintain a discipline risk register (water availability/quality, corrosion/salinity, constructability constraints, authority approvals, interface risks) and drive mitigations.Engage authorities/stakeholders as required and ensure compliance with permits and approvals relevant to irrigation works.E) HSE & Sustainability (Discipline Input)Ensure irrigation works comply with HSE requirements (excavations, pressurised testing, chemical handling where applicable).Promote water efficiency and resilience: smart controls, hydrozoning, soil moisture sensing, pressure regulation, minimised losses, and suitable materials for salinity/temperature.Generate irrigation design review reports/comment logs and close-out tracking.Maintain approved submittal register entries (materials, shop drawings, ITPs, method statements).Provide site inspection reports, NCR close-out, punch list management.Oversee testing & commissioning witnessing records and acceptance certificates.Carry out as-built verification and handover readiness reports.