Sunny Sharma
Riyadh,KSA
Summary
Strategic engineering executive with 17+ years of experience leading large-scale telecommunications, digital infrastructure, defence communications and smart city transformation programs across the Middle East and Asia. Currently serving as Head of Engineering for NEOM Tech & Digital, accountable for engineering governance, technical assurance, implementation governance, acceptance management, operational readiness, quality assurance and engineering support services across one of the world's most ambitious digital infrastructure programs. Proven track record of establishing high-performing engineering organizations, implementing governance frameworks, managing multi-vendor ecosystems and enabling multi-billion SAR CAPEX and OPEX delivery across 5G, fibre, microwave, subsea connectivity, data centres, enterprise networks and critical communications infrastructure. Trusted advisor to executive leadership on engineering strategy, delivery risk, operational transition, contract governance and technology investment decisions. Recognized for building scalable engineering functions that strengthen compliance, delivery performance, stakeholder confidence and operational excellence.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work history
Head of Engineering
NEOM | Tech & Digital
NEOM, Saudi Arabia
04.2021 - Current
- Established and lead the Engineering function for NEOM Connect, accountable for Technical Assurance, Implementation Governance, Acceptance Management, Operational Readiness, Transition Management, Quality Assurance and Engineering Support Services across NEOM's telecommunications and digital infrastructure portfolio.
- Key RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead a multidisciplinary engineering organisation comprising 50+ engineers, consultants and technical specialists.
- Provide engineering governance across 500+ telecommunications, fibre, wireless, data centre and critical infrastructure sites.
- Direct governance across 20+ vendors, contractors and delivery partners together with 5+ strategic consultancy organisations.
- Own engineering strategy, governance frameworks, standards, policies and operating procedures supporting successful programme delivery and transition into operations.
- Act as executive signatory for engineering assurance, acceptance and operational handover activities.
- Drive portfolio governance, risk management and executive reporting across multi-billion SAR infrastructure investments.
- Support executive leadership on engineering strategy, technical due diligence, tender evaluations and contract governance.
- KEY CONTRIBUTIONS
- Established and scaled NEOM Connect Engineering into a multi-disciplinary governance organisation covering Technical Assurance, Implementation Governance, Acceptance Management, Engineering Support Services, Quality Assurance and Transition Management.
- Directed engineering governance, assurance and acceptance activities supporting SAR 2.1B+ in validated CAPEX and OPEX delivery.
- Led executive governance and acceptance strategy across 5G, IBS, Microwave, Cell-on-Wheels (COW), Core Network and Enterprise Connectivity programs enabling SAR 750M+ in milestone-backed delivery.
- Governed backbone fibre, DWDM and fixed network infrastructure programs exceeding SAR 310M+.
- Directed executive engineering oversight for international subsea cable connectivity programs supporting Northern and Southern Cluster initiatives valued at SAR 490M+.
- Led engineering assurance and operational readiness governance for Tier III Telecommunication Centre infrastructure enabling SAR 460M+ in validated delivery.
- Established NEOM-wide acceptance and handover governance frameworks ensuring successful transition of assets from Projects into Operations.
- Directed consultancy governance and engineering contract management across strategic partners enabling SAR 85M+ in validated service delivery.
- Built executive KPI frameworks, engineering dashboards and governance reporting mechanisms providing leadership visibility across delivery performance, risk exposure and operational readiness.
- Streamlined operations with implementation of advanced automation systems.
- Managed budgets, maximising resources and cost-effectiveness.
- Achieved innovation with creative problem-solving techniques.
- Undertook complex projects, ensuring timely completion and quality standards.
- Improved efficiency by streamlining engineering processes.
- Ensured compliance with government regulations and industry standards in all projects undertaken.
- Established robust quality assurance procedures leading to significantly reduced error rates in project outcomes.
- Implemented new technologies with a focus on enhancing productivity.
- Redefined departmental goals aligning them better with overall organisational objectives.
- Fostered a culture of continuous learning amongst team members resulting in increased performance levels.
- Encouraged team development activities, boosting morale and teamwork spirit among engineers.
- Led and managed administrative staff to maintain smooth daily operations.
Technical Assurance Engineer
Kellogg Brown & Root | UK MOD SANGCOM Project
Riyadh
01.2020 - 04.2021
- Led the electrical technical assurance function across 200+ sites for nationwide critical communication infrastructure programmes. Directed engineering teams and ensured full compliance with design integrity, contractual obligations and operational readiness.
- KEY CONTRIBUTIONS:
- Performed assurance/acceptance of client portfolio works to integrate projects onto existing telecom network and services.
- Verified compliance to design specifications and standards; controlled transfer processes and chaired/managed acceptance meetings.
- Provided technical feedback to contractors and ensured client expectations were met while maintaining strict HSE adherence.
Lead Design Engineer
Airbus Defence & Space | UK MOD SANGCOM Project
Riyadh
11.2016 - 12.2019
- Reported to System Design Authority; delivered cost-effective, low-risk end-to-end network design solutions compliant with customer requirements and supportable by O&M.
- Technical lead for network design projects: requirements definition, system design, testing strategy, and hand-over to Operations.
- Verified/validated subcontractor solutions for alignment to systems requirements; ensured system integration and interoperability.
- Collaborated with UK Ministry of Defence, Saudi government agencies and subcontractors to meet project delivery milestones.
- KEY PROJECTS:
- Produced Statement of Requirements (SoR) and Scope of Work (SoW) for SMR Upgrade system; reviewed BoQ and defined Contractor Deliverable Item List (CDIL).
- Led PDR presentation supporting Commercial Technical Proposal (CTP) and developed structured survey template for capturing site-specific information.
- Coordinated delivery of construction standard site packs through CDR; enabled ~SAR 60M milestone revenue collection.
- Participated in Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) in Berlin; advised customer/user on TETRA and modern secure radio systems.
- Led the Design upgrade for Nationwide SMR Upgrade Project valued at SAR 500M.
Senior Project Engineer
Motorola Solutions India Pvt. Ltd.
, India
04.2011 - 11.2016
- Implemented, commissioned and handed over large-scale TETRA and APCO-P25 projects across metro rail, airport and public safety customers.
- Managed SAT, user training, and integration with CAD/dispatcher systems and legacy networks.
- Key Projects:
- Mumbai Metro One: TETRA (200+ radios, 5 BTS 2-carrier) – Motorola Dimetra Compact 6.1, CAD.
- Mumbai International Airport: TETRA (1000+ radios, 1 BTS 8-carrier) – Motorola Dimetra Compact 8.0.
- Mumbai Police: APCO-P25 initial phase – SAT and training.
- Kolkata Police: TETRA (1400 radios, 4 BTS 4-carrier) – AVLS, Dispatcher, legacy gateway.
- Coal India (11 mines): TETRA-based digital trunking (800 MHz).
- Indian Oil: Intrinsically safe radios, backhaul, AVLS, Dispatcher, legacy gateway; tower/shelter infra.
Network System Engineer – TETRA
Inative Networks India Pvt. Ltd.
, India
06.2010 - 03.2011
- Implemented and commissioned TETRA trunking systems and integrations (telephony gateways, EPBX, dispatcher/logging) for industrial and city projects including Essar, Jindal, Adani Mundra, Salem Police and Lavasa City.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E) - Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
North Maharashtra University
JalgaonSkills
Engineering Leadership Engineering Governance Technical Assurance Implementation Governance Acceptance Management Operational Readiness Transition Management Engineering Support Services Quality Assurance Telecommunications Infrastructure Data Centre Infrastructure Fibre Networks Microwave Networks Subsea Connectivity Smart Cities Vendor Governance Contract Management CAPEX Governance Risk Management Stakeholder Management Engineering Strategy Asset Acceptance Operational Handover Team Leadership Executive Reporting
Telecommunications Networks 4G/5G TETRA APCO P25 Fibre Optics DWDM Microwave Core Networks Enterprise Networks Data Centres Structured Cabling Critical Communications FAT SAT UAT Operational Readiness Testing Technical Governance Acceptance Testing Systems Engineering Design Assurance Technical Compliance AutoCAD MS Project Visio SharePoint Aconex MS Office
Capital budgeting
Quality assurance oversight
Team performance evaluation
Leadership excellence
Project lifecycle management
Stakeholder management
Vendor relationship management
MAJOR PROGRAM PORTFOLIO
- NEOM Telecommunications Infrastructure Portfolio
- 5G & Wireless Networks
- Fibre & DWDM Infrastructure Connectivity
- International Subsea Data Centres Networks
- Tier III Infrastructure Communications Systems
- Defence Communications Networks
- Smart City Infrastructure
- Metro Rail Communications
- Airport Communications Systems
- Public Safety Networks
LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- 17+ years of telecommunications and infrastructure leadership experience.
- Managed engineering organisations of 50+ professionals.
- Governed delivery across 500+ sites and multiple regions.
- Managed delivery ecosystems comprising 20+ vendors and 5+ consultancy organisations.
- Directed engineering governance supporting SAR 2.1B+ in validated infrastructure delivery.
Timeline
Head of Engineering
NEOM | Tech & Digital
04.2021 - Current
Technical Assurance Engineer
Kellogg Brown & Root | UK MOD SANGCOM Project
01.2020 - 04.2021
Lead Design Engineer
Airbus Defence & Space | UK MOD SANGCOM Project
11.2016 - 12.2019
Senior Project Engineer
Motorola Solutions India Pvt. Ltd.
04.2011 - 11.2016
Network System Engineer – TETRA
Inative Networks India Pvt. Ltd.
06.2010 - 03.2011
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E) - Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
North Maharashtra University