Solution Architect - Airport Operations

Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

We have been present in Saudi Arabia for 40 years and with over 600 employees to date, we are growing rapidly. Together we are delivering our signalling, control and train protection systems for the North –South Railway (NSR), the longest system of it’s kind in the world. Together we are key suppliers of In-flight entertainment and connectivity systems as well as air traffic management solutions in Saudi. We are making Saudi Arabia a safer place by securing the country’s critical infrastructure and e-security solutions that secure the country’s electronic payment systems. Thales has been selected to supply major electronic systems for air defence and the Group also supplied communication and optronic systems for the Army, the Saudi Arabia National Guards and the Air Force.

JOB OBJECTIVE         

The operational efficiency, safety, and passenger experience of airports undergoing refurbishment or modernization is a critical success factor for airport authorities and aviation stakeholders. It relies on a comprehensive understanding of terminal operations, airside/landside processes, regulatory compliance (ICAO, IATA, ACI), capacity planning, passenger flow modeling, baggage and cargo systems, aviation security, operational technologies (AODB, RMS, FIDS, BHS), and multi-stakeholder coordination across live brownfield environments.

The projects associated with airport refurbishment and expansion are highly complex, phased, and multi-disciplinary in nature, and require deep operational expertise, systems thinking, and the ability to translate operational requirements into robust architectures, technical specifications, and Target Operating Models that will govern airport performance for 15-30 years.

The role of the Airport Operations Architect is to ensure the overall operational coherence and long-term viability of these projects by acting as the operational Design Authority, defining future-state Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), ensuring alignment of all stakeholders and engineering disciplines, and guaranteeing that the refurbished airport will meet international standards, capacity targets, and service level commitments throughout its operational lifecycle.

   

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

- Act as the Operational Design Authority for the airport refurbishment or modernization program, ensuring that all design, architecture, systems, and infrastructure decisions are operationally sound, compliant, and fit-for-purpose over the project lifecycle.
- Define and structure the Target Operating Model (TOM) and Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for the future-state airport, covering terminal, airside, landside, back-of-house, and technical/operational systems, in coordination with airport authority, airlines, ground handlers, and regulatory agencies.
- Lead comprehensive operational, functional, and capacity assessments of existing facilities and systems, benchmarking performance against ICAO, IATA, and ACI standards, and identifying gaps, bottlenecks, non-compliances, and strategic improvement opportunities.
- Translate operational requirements and service level objectives into technical and functional specifications for passenger processing systems, baggage and cargo handling, operational IT systems (AODB, RMS, FIDS), security and border control, ICT backbone, and terminal/airside/landside layouts and facilities.

- Coordinate internal and external partners (airport authority, airlines, security agencies, air navigation service providers, engineering and architectural consultants, systems integrators) to achieve a coherent operational vision and ensure alignment across all project disciplines (architecture, MEP, ICT, security).
- Participate in the costing and commercial structuring of operational solutions, ensuring competitiveness and value-for-money while maintaining operational integrity, and contributing to Work Package definitions, RFP documentation, and procurement strategies.
- Oversee the choice of operational and technical solutions in a context of long-term planning (15-30 year horizons), balancing innovation, scalability, resilience, and operational continuity, while maintaining a pragmatic, phased approach to implementation in live airport environments.
- Communicate and defend operational solutions in support of project strategy, senior leadership, government authorities, and regulatory bodies, ensuring that operational recommendations are credible, evidence-based, and aligned with the airport's strategic objectives and passenger experience goals.
- Participate in and guide operational policy and governance for the project, including phasing strategies, operational continuity planning during construction, ORAT (Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer) programs, and post-implementation performance monitoring and optimization.

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS           

12-15 years of experience in airport operations, terminal management, airport planning, or aviation infrastructure consulting, including at least 5 years in senior operational or technical leadership roles (Head of Operations, Operations Manager, Lead Consultant, or Design Authority) on major airport refurbishment, expansion, or greenfield programs.

QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATION & EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS          

Bachelor's degree in Airport Management, Aviation / Aeronautical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Transport Planning, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.

Master's degree in aviation, transport, systems engineering, or related field is strongly preferred.

Professional certifications such as ACI AMPAP (Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme), ICAO AVSEC, PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent aviation/project management credentials are highly desirable.

PREFERRED SKILLS  

The qualities needed to succeed in this role are:
- A structured, systems-thinking approach to airport operational architectures, including mastery of operational modeling and simulation tools (CAST, SIMMOD, or equivalent), capacity and Level of Service analysis, and the ability to decompose complex multi-stakeholder operational requirements into coherent technical specifications and design inputs.
- Wide-ranging technical and operational expertise across airport domains: terminal operations (passenger flows, check-in, security, immigration, boarding, baggage claim), airside operations (apron, stands, GSE, refueling, airfield lighting, NAVAIDs), landside interfaces (curbside, parking, public transport), baggage and cargo systems (BHS, CHS, sortation, EDS), and operational IT systems (AODB, RMS, FIDS, resource management, operational control centers).
- A deep understanding of international aviation standards and best practices (ICAO Annexes 9, 14, 17, Doc 9157; IATA ADRM, LoS standards, Ground Operations Manual; ACI policies and benchmarks), with the ability to interpret, apply, and defend compliance positions in front of regulators, airport authorities, and government stakeholders.
- The ability to analyze operational needs, demand scenarios, and growth forecasts, and to extract robust, future-proof technical requirements, design constraints, and performance KPIs that will guide architecture, engineering, and systems integration over the full project lifecycle.

- The ability to lead and influence multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders, including airport operators, airlines, ground handlers, security agencies, consultants (architecture, engineering, systems), and contractors, ensuring operational requirements are understood, prioritized, and embedded in all project deliverables.
- An innovative, forward-looking vision with a 15-30 year solution-building perspective (anticipating growth, new aircraft types, evolving passenger expectations, digital transformation, automation, sustainability), while maintaining a pragmatic, phased, and risk-managed approach to implementation in constrained brownfield environments with operational continuity requirements.
- A strong capacity for communication, persuasion, and credibility that will support operational strategy, defend design choices, and lend authority to recommendations presented to senior management, government authorities, and international regulatory bodies.
- Excellent documentation and specification writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, structured, and defensible operational studies, Target Operating Models, Concepts of Operations, technical specifications, Work Package definitions, and RFP requirements that will guide procurement, design, and implementation.

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