Riyadh-headquartered Dar Engineering is a key local player in Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure, utilities and urban landscape.

“Dar Engineering was established over 25 years ago in Saudi Arabia and has since grown into a multinational design, architecture, engineering and consultancy firm, now boasting over 1,900 experts,” says Iyad Tammas, general manager of business development and sales at Dar Engineering.

The company is now keen to play a role in the next chapter of the kingdom's development, he adds.

“We have completed over 850 projects locally and internationally, spanning healthcare, education, energy, water infrastructure, hospitality and more. Our strength lies in innovation, sustainability and the integration of cutting-edge technology.” 

Competitive edge

In Saudi Arabia’s increasingly competitive market, the executive says Dar Engineering's integrated, in-house service model and international expertise help to ensure “seamless collaboration and efficient project delivery”, adding that the firm strives to "deliver international best practices while tailoring our solutions to local requirements”.

In addition to having experience in the healthcare, education, commercial real estate and utilities sectors, Dar Engineering is also committed to sustainability and digital transformation, says Tammas.

“We are a digitalisation and technology-oriented company, and we are deeply committed to local talent development and Saudisation – recognising the importance of nurturing national expertise for the industry’s long-term growth.”

Vision goals

Dar Engineering’s work aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 strategy, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and energy, from power generation and smart grids to urban masterplans and desalination.

“Over the past few years, we’ve been involved in significant infrastructure projects in Jubail, Ras Al-Khair and Riyadh,” says Tammas.

“We are also working on major utilities projects in the Eastern Region, and contributing to gigaprojects in Riyadh, Al-Ula and the Red Sea.”

Dar Engineering is also specialised in the future-facing technologies that Saudi Arabia is prioritising, including renewable energy, battery energy storage systems, grid automation and digital infrastructure.

“Our specific strengths in areas like power system studies, smart grids and renewable generation are directly contributing to the kingdom’s energy and infrastructure objectives,” Tammas says.

Technology-led innovation

Looking ahead, Dar Engineering expects the kingdom’s consultancy and design engineering market to evolve rapidly, with digital innovation and sustainability shaping the agenda.

“I anticipate significant evolution over the next decade, driven by the ambitious goals of Vision 2030,” Tammas says.

“We’ll see a surge in sustainable practices, green building initiatives and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools.

"Interestingly, we’re also seeing a desire to preserve traditional Saudi – particularly Najdi – architectural elements within contemporary designs,” he adds.

This fusion of heritage and high-tech is already reshaping project design in the kingdom.

“Technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital twinning are near-mandatory for projects now. They’re driving efficient, accurate and innovative solutions while enabling us to stay true to cultural aesthetics,” Tammas says.

Transforming delivery

Dar Engineering uses tools such as BIM, AI, digital twins and virtual reality to improve project outcomes and provide clients with "a clear, real-time view of progress”, notes Tammas.

“We’ve transitioned to cloud-based solutions that integrate AI and automation to streamline workflows,” he adds.

The firm’s creation of digital twin models, not just as a design aid, but as an operational tool post-construction, has had a particularly positive impact, Tammas says, noting that this approach can “significantly simplify facility and asset management”.

Dar Engineering is also using AI to quickly generate and analyse multiple design options and identify optimal solutions for specific clients. This approach has yielded improvements in collaboration, communication and project delivery, Tammas says.

“It’s about creating value through transparency, efficiency and intelligent design.”

Investing in local talent

In line with its Vision 2030 commitments, Dar Engineering is supporting the development of local talent through training, mentoring and industry collaboration.

“We’re dedicated to increasing the employment of Saudi nationals in engineering roles,” Tammas explains.

“We offer training, mentorship and career advancement opportunities, and we actively recruit Saudi professionals to give them hands-on experience on major projects.”

Dar Engineering is also building academic partnerships to foster the next generation of engineers. “We’re working with Saudi universities like King Faisal University, and recently participated in their career open day to connect with young talent,” he says.

As Saudi Arabia ramps up its development pipeline, one of the biggest challenges facing engineering consultants is the race to attract skilled professionals.

“The rapid pace of development and project growth has created a high demand for talent.

“We’re addressing this by leveraging our international team to bring in the necessary expertise, while simultaneously focusing on Saudisation through robust training programmes.”

Sustainable growth

For the next three to five years, Dar Engineering’s strategy remains focused on supporting the kingdom’s Vision 2030, according to Tammas.

“Our priority is to consistently integrate sustainability and cutting-edge technology into our projects,” he says.

“We’re committed to supporting the transformative projects that are shaping Saudi Arabia’s future, while developing strong local expertise within our teams.”