MAHMOUD AL-RAWY
Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Accomplished geotechnical engineer with extensive expertise in geological and geotechnical analysis, specialising in the management of deep drilling operations and advanced in-situ testing. Proven track record in leading mega and giga projects, providing strategic leadership and technical vision. Skilled in soil and rock mechanics, foundation design, and geohazard assessment, with a strong focus on HSE and QA/QC compliance. Adept at project planning, budget management, and client engagement, ensuring successful project execution across diverse regions. Committed to advancing geotechnical engineering solutions through innovative approaches and effective stakeholder communication.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
2002
2002
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Lead Engineering Geologist & Geotechnical Operations Coordinator
Arab Center for Engineering Studies (ACES)
Riyadh
02.2008 - 12.2025
- Plan, manage, and oversee daily, weekly, and monthly geotechnical operations across multiple projects, ensuring alignment with schedules, client requirements, and technical specifications.
- Prepare comprehensive operational plans covering drilling rigs, manpower allocation, testing crews, equipment, logistics, and support resources.
- Coordinate mobilization and demobilization of drilling rigs and field teams, ensuring readiness of equipment, personnel, and permits prior to deployment.
- Monitor drilling productivity, operational progress, and performance against planned targets, proactively addressing delays, constraints, and site access issues.
- Act as a central coordination point between project managers, site engineers, geologists, operations teams, and clients to ensure smooth execution of works.
- Support project teams in resolving operational, technical, and logistical challenges, particularly in complex or constrained site conditions.
- Oversee implementation of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) requirements and ensure compliance with company policies and client-specific safety standards.
- Ensure adherence to QA/QC procedures, technical specifications, and applicable codes and standards throughout execution.
- Review and validate operational data, drilling records, and progress reports prior to submission to clients and senior management.
- KSA Regional Operations Coordinator Responsibilities
- Coordinate and consolidate daily operational data and performance reports from Central, Eastern, and Western Region branches.
- Implement unified planning, reporting, and performance tracking frameworks across KSA operations to ensure consistency and transparency.
- Optimize cross-regional resource allocation, including drilling rigs, manpower, testing crews, and equipment, to minimize idle time and maximize utilization.
- Coordinate inter-branch mobilization and demobilization of resources based on project priorities and workload demands.
- Collaborate with Maintenance and Fleet teams to balance maintenance schedules with operational requirements across regions.
- Prepare consolidated regional-level dashboards covering drilling progress, rig utilization, manpower deployment, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Analyze operational trends and performance metrics and provide data-driven recommendations to management for continuous improvement.
Head of Geotechnical Department – Madinah Branch
Arab Center for Engineering Studies (ACES)
Madinah
02.2015 - 08.2017
- Served as technical head of the Geotechnical Department with full responsibility for planning, supervising, and managing all geotechnical activities and deliverables.
- Directed and supervised geotechnical teams and managed complex investigations, advanced analyses, and interpretation of results.
- Implemented sophisticated geotechnical studies and ensured compliance with international standards, approved methodologies, and best engineering practices.
- Reviewed and approved geotechnical factual and interpretative reports prior to submission to clients.
- Managed client work orders and ensured fulfillment of contractual requirements and project specifications.
- Conducted departmental cost studies, analyzed operational data, and monitored budgets.
- Prepared and submitted monthly technical and performance reports to senior management.
Geotechnical & Geological Engineer
Ashour Consulting Office for Construction
Sohag
10.2002 - 06.2004
- Prepared and finalized borehole logs, including detailed soil and rock descriptions and groundwater conditions.
- Conducted in-situ testing and supervised laboratory testing programs.
- Prepared and finalized geotechnical investigation reports.
- Supported senior engineers in developing foundation and earthworks recommendations.
Education
BSc - Earth Science (Geophysics Department)
South Valley University
Qena, EgyptSkills
- Geotechnical & Geological Expertise
- Management of deep drilling and coring operations (up to 200 m depth)
- Soil and rock logging, lithological profiling, Rock Quality Designation (RQD), and fracture mapping
- Rock mass classification using Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Rock Mass Quality Classification System (Q-System), and Geological Strength Index (GSI)
- Slope stability and geohazard assessment
- Preparation and review of geotechnical interpretative reports, including foundation recommendations for shallow and deep foundation systems
- Geological study reporting and interpretation of geological mapping data
- Advanced In-Situ & Geophysical Testing
- Cone Penetration Test with pore pressure measurement (CPTu)
- Pressuremeter Test (PMT)
- Packer and Lugeon permeability tests, including infiltration testing
- Plate Load Tests (PLT), static and cyclic, including BREA plate load testing
- Geophysical surveys, including MASW, Crosshole, and Downhole seismic testing
- Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and seismic tomography
- Operations & Management
- Drilling rig allocation and productivity optimization
- Daily and weekly operational planning
- Cross-regional coordination (Central, Eastern, Western regions)
- Maintenance and fleet management coordination
- KPI dashboards, utilization, and downtime analysis
- Client coordination and stakeholder management
- Tendering, BOQs, cost estimation, and proposals
- HSE and QA/QC compliance
- Leadership & Strategy
- Geotechnical engineering strategic leadership and technical vision
- Organizational leadership and multidisciplinary team management
- Mega and giga project leadership
- Project & Business Management
- Project planning, execution, and control
- Budget management and cost control
- Resource allocation and operational optimization
- Risk management and quality assurance
- Business development and client engagement
- Technical & Engineering Skills
- Soil and rock mechanics
- Foundation design and geotechnical engineering solutions
- Geotechnical reporting and technical analysis
- Site investigation and geophysical surveying
- Site hazard and geohazard assessment
- Remote sensing applications in geotechnical studies
- Communication & Coordination
- Client and stakeholder communication
- Technical reporting and professional presentations
- Coordination with designers, contractors, and regulatory authorities
LANGUAGES
Arabic: Native
English: Excellent
KEY MEGA & NATIONAL PROJECT EXPERIENCE (FULL DETAILS)
Qiddiya Mega Project – Riyadh, Delta B (2024–2025): Directed approximately 34,000 m of drilling completed within 7 months; managed up to 25 drilling rigs simultaneously; Coordinated and supervised comprehensive in-situ testing programs, including PMT, PLT, packer permeability tests, and downhole seismic testing; reviewed and validated geotechnical reports for 11 assets., Key Cliff Assets (2020–2021): Executed approximately 14,500 m of drilling in steep escarpments; supervised deep rock coring, PMT, Lugeon, PLT, and seismic tomography; conducted structural geological mapping; supported slope stability analyses and geohazard assessments; prepared full interpretative reports., Phase I & II (2018–2024): Delivered more than 28,000 m of drilling; supervised MASW, Crosshole, and Downhole seismic surveys; coordinated laboratory testing; prepared and reviewed geotechnical reports for foundations, retaining walls, slopes, and underground structures., King Salman International Airport (KSIA) – Riyadh, Executed and supervised large-scale geotechnical investigation programs including drilling, CPTu, seismic surveys, and laboratory testing., Prepared, reviewed, and contributed to geotechnical factual and interpretative reports., Provided geotechnical input for runways, taxiways, terminal buildings, aprons, pavements, and infrastructure packages., Supported pavement design, foundation systems, and ground improvement assessments., Saudi Landbridge Railway Project (2013–2014), Participated in a 960 km railway corridor investigation., Supervised drilling of approximately 310 boreholes and excavation of 2,230 test pits., Coordinated extensive in-situ and laboratory testing programs., Prepared and reviewed geotechnical reports for track formation, earthworks, bridges, culverts, and railway structures. Diriyah Gate Development (DGDA) – Riyadh, King Salman Park – Riyadh, The Mukaab – New Murabba (Riyadh), Riyadh Metro Project, Sports Boulevard – Riyadh, King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Princess Nourah University – Riyadh, MOH Housing Projects
Timeline
Head of Geotechnical Department – Madinah Branch
Arab Center for Engineering Studies (ACES)
02.2015 - 08.2017
Lead Engineering Geologist & Geotechnical Operations Coordinator
Arab Center for Engineering Studies (ACES)
02.2008 - 12.2025
Geotechnical & Geological Engineer
Ashour Consulting Office for Construction
10.2002 - 06.2004
BSc - Earth Science (Geophysics Department)
South Valley University