AVP Engineering – Mechanical & HVACR

We’re Hiring: Assistant Vice President – Mechanical & HVACR | Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC)Location: Dubai World Central (DWC), UAEDepartment: Engineering Seniority: Senior Leadership RoleEmirates Flight Catering is building one of the world’s largest and most advanced fully integrated, food production ecosystems at Al Maktoum International Airport (AMI) — and we are looking for an accomplished AVP – Mechanical & HVACR to lead the end-to-end Mechanical, Utilities, Plumbing, and HVACR strategy for this landmark mega-project.This is a senior engineering leadership role at the heart of EKFC’s future operations. You will shape the mechanical infrastructure underpinning a 500,000-meal-per-day, highly automated, food-safe production facility spanning 421,000 sqm — one of the most ambitious developments in the region.If you’re looking for a role where engineering complexity, scale, and innovation meet — this is it.What You Will LeadAs the AVP – Mechanical & HVACR, you will be responsible for:Acting as the technical authority for Mechanical, HVACR, Utilities, and Plumbing systems — ensuring compliance with ASME, ASHRAE, IIAR, UAE regulatory frameworks, and HACCP/ISO food-safety standardsLeading the full lifecycle of all mechanical systems, from concept → detailed engineering → procurement → installation → commissioning → handoverDesigning mission-critical cold chain systems including industrial refrigeration, ammonia/CO₂ plants, blast chillers, freezers, and precision-controlled high-care environmentsIntegrating mechanical systems seamlessly with architecture, structure, production equipment, and BMS platformsDefining engineering principles to maximise reliability, redundancy, maintainability, and system resilience across a 24/7 high-volume operationChampioning sustainable engineering, including heat-recovery cycles, energy-optimised utilities, natural refrigerants, predictive maintenance analytics, and environmentally responsible infrastructureLeading the mechanical scope for LEED Platinum certification, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 complianceOverseeing FAT/SAT for major equipment — chillers, steam boilers, refrigeration compressors, evaporators, water treatment, compressed air networks, fire systems and central utility plantsManaging large-scale CAPEX and ensuring value engineering, cost optimisation, and risk mitigation across multi-year mega-projectsCollaborating with regulators, consultants, contractors, and cross-functional EKFC teams to deliver world-class operational readinessWhy This Role MattersThis position plays a pivotal role in building and maintaining the mechanical backbone of EKFC’s current and future operations — supporting a workforce exceeding 18,200 employees by 2032 and enabling the next generation of aviation catering excellence.You will operate within a fast-paced, highly regulated environment where innovation, safety, and reliability are non-negotiable. The work you do will directly shape the performance, sustainability, and efficiency of one of the world's most complex food production facilities.What We’re Looking ForBachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, HVACR, or a related engineering discipline (Master’s preferred)PMP + Safety Certifications are mandatoryChartered Mechanical Engineer is highly desirable9+ years of Mechanical/HVACR engineering experience, with 7+ years in leadership rolesStrong experience in large-scale industrial facilities; aviation, airport, or food production exposure is a plusStrong command of AutoCAD, BIM, Revit, Primavera or similar platformsProven leadership of large, multidisciplinary engineering teamsStrong communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skillsAbility to manage multiple large-scale projects within fast-paced environmentsReady to Shape the Future of EKFC?If you excel in delivering complex, high-stakes mechanical and HVACR engineering projects — and want to build something iconic — we want to hear from you.Apply now and help build the future of aviation catering at Emirates Flight Catering.