The emerging aerospace industry of Saudi Arabia

Right now, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an exceptional place to start a career in aerospace engineering.

The Kingdom’s bold ambitions for the aerospace sector, including plans to become a center for aviation and space technology, aerospace manufacturing and production, and air transport, present an unprecedented wealth of opportunities for the future cadre of Saudi engineers who are currently studying at universities across Saudi Arabia.

According to Boeing’s predictions in our Pilot and Technician Outlook 2023-2042 report, the Middle East will require 58,000 new aviation technicians in the next 20 years — and that is just for maintenance in the commercial aviation sector.

The growth of Saudia, Riyadh Air, and other airlines, and the expected boost in business and tourism travel, will mean that a large proportion of these technicians will make their careers in Saudi Arabia, supporting the aircraft fleets that will safely carry passengers to and from the Kingdom.

When we also factor in the need for engineering personnel to service business aviation, civil helicopters, defense aviation, and emerging sectors like autonomous aerial vehicles and drones, it is clear that Saudi Arabia will require a considerable number of technicians in the future — and that is only part of the story.

The growth of the local aviation industry, including the development and manufacturing of aircraft, spacecraft, autonomous systems, and aviation technology, will create a huge demand for aerospace engineers in the Kingdom in the coming decades.

So how can Saudi Arabia ensure that it can meet this demand for talent and ensure that the local aerospace sector continues to grow and thrive?

In order to ensure an adequate supply of qualified personnel, a long-term strategy is essential. There needs to be enough training capacity, built out over time, to meet both the current demand of aviation operators and future growth, including Saudization.

The industry also needs to ensure investment in STEM education, career development programs, and outreach to the next generation of engineers to engage tomorrow’s talent and encourage them to explore aerospace careers.

The aerospace sector in Saudi Arabia is not just about one company but about building a robust ecosystem that includes government, industry, and academia. This collaborative approach will ensure the development of a skilled workforce capable of driving the Kingdom’s aerospace ambitions.

For students and future engineers, the opportunities are vast and varied, promising a fulfilling career path in a dynamic and transformative sector.

As Saudi Arabia’s aerospace sector expands into new areas, such as space and autonomous systems, these young engineers will have the opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects that will redefine the aerospace sector.

Saudi engineering talent is already hard at work developing the aviation systems of tomorrow.

The emerging aerospace job market in Saudi Arabia is poised for significant growth and offers exciting prospects for engineers and other STEM professionals.

Whether through local initiatives or international partnerships, the Kingdom is set to become a global leader in aerospace innovation, providing a fertile ground for careers with a global impact.

• Asaad Al-Jomoai is president of Boeing Saudi Arabia