Saudi Jobs: 35% of 94 Engineering Roles for Saudis
Saudi jobs news: private firms with five or more staff in 94 technical engineering roles must reach 35% Saudization from May 9, 2027, up from 30%.
Saudi ArabiaIn brief
- Saudi Arabia will raise the Saudization rate for 94 technical engineering professions to 35%.
- The new rate takes effect on May 9, 2027, up from the 30% rule in force since July 27, 2025.
- It covers private firms employing five or more people in the targeted jobs.
- Roles include civil, electrical, mechanical and electronic engineering technicians, surveyors and draftsmen.
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Organization | Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Saudi Arabia) |
| Official source | Saudi Gazette – Saudization rate raised to 35% for 94 technical engineering professions ✓ saudigazette.com.sa |
Saudi engineering graduates and technicians will see more doors open in 2027. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), working with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, will lift the Saudization rate to 35% for 94 technical engineering professions from May 9, 2027. Private firms with five or more workers in these jobs will need to hire more Saudi nationals to comply.
What exactly is changing?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Professions covered | 94 technical engineering jobs |
| New Saudization rate | 35% |
| Previous rate | 30% (since July 27, 2025) |
| Start date | May 9, 2027 |
| Who must comply | Private establishments with 5+ workers in these roles |
| How it is measured | At establishment level, per the procedural guide |
The ministry says the move supports the Labor Market Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030 by giving more specialised work to Saudi men and women.
Which jobs are included?
The list follows the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations. Examples named by the ministry include:
- Civil engineering technician
- Electrical engineering technician
- Mechanical engineering technician
- Electronic engineering technician
- Surveying technician
- Mechanical maintenance technician
- Architectural draftsman
The full list of 94 titles is in the official procedural guide on the HRSD website.
Who benefits?
Saudi nationals with technical diplomas or engineering degrees are the main winners, as construction, contracting, maintenance and engineering consultancy firms must raise local hiring by five percentage points. The ministry also offers support with recruitment, training and job stability, plus priority access to its Saudization support programmes for employers.
Why does it matter now?
Saudi Arabia is in the middle of a construction and infrastructure wave, from giga-projects to housing and municipal works. Each of these needs surveyors, draftsmen and site technicians. With the quota rising, firms are likely to start recruiting and training Saudi technicians well before the May 2027 deadline, rather than waiting until the last month.
What does it mean for expat technicians?
Expat staff are not banned from these roles, but firms will have less room for new foreign hires in the covered jobs. Expats may want to build skills in senior engineering, project management or specialist areas that remain in demand.
What it means for job seekers
- Saudi technicians: expect more openings from contractors and consultancies ahead of May 2027.
- Students: technical engineering diplomas now lead to a protected job market.
- Search smart: look for vacancies on the national employment platforms and company career pages.
- Employers: check the procedural guide early to plan hiring.
- Related: Saudi Arabia sets 50% Saudization for accounting jobs.
More openings: all Saudi Arabia jobs
Frequently asked questions
What is the new Saudization rate for engineering technicians?
35% of staff in the 94 targeted technical engineering jobs must be Saudi nationals from May 9, 2027.
Which companies must follow the rule?
Private sector establishments that employ five or more workers in the covered professions.
Which jobs are included?
Technician roles in civil, electrical, mechanical and electronic engineering, plus surveying technicians, mechanical maintenance technicians and architectural draftsmen, among others.
Where can employers find the full list?
In the procedural guide published on the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development website.
Apply only through the official source.
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