ACWA Operations is recruiting experienced Chemists for upcoming opportunities across reverse osmosis (RO) desalination and combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants in Saudi Arabia. This is a technical, plant-based role for a chemist who understands water quality and steam-water chemistry, and who keeps plant reliability and safety at the centre of daily work. As Chemist, you’ll monitor water quality, chemical dosing, and treatment processes to meet operational and environmental standards; oversee RO chemistry, including feedwater quality, pretreatment, membrane performance, scaling, fouling, and product-water quality; monitor CCGT chemistry across steam-water cycles, HRSG, condensate, feedwater, and cooling-water systems; run laboratory testing, sampling, and calibration to keep results reliable; coordinate chemical treatment work such as RO membrane cleaning-in-place and chemical preparation; investigate chemistry deviations and work with operations and maintenance on corrective action; keep accurate chemical consumption and laboratory records; and ensure HSE requirements, safe chemical handling, and environmental standards are met. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and at least four years of relevant experience in RO desalination or CCGT power plants.
About ACWA Operations — Water and Power in Saudi Arabia
Company: ACWA Operations
Location: Saudi Arabia
Focus: RO desalination and CCGT power generation plants
Recruitment: KSA Technical Recruitment Campaign 2026, with December intakes
Standards: HSE, environmental protection, and ISO management system awareness
Chemist Role — Plant Chemistry, Laboratory & Water Quality
Department: Operations / Chemistry
Primary Focus: RO desalination and CCGT plant chemistry, lab testing, treatment control
Scope: Plants across Saudi Arabia
Mission: Maintaining plant reliability, water quality, and operational performance
Chemist Position Overview
The Chemist role at ACWA Operations is the technical safeguard for water and steam quality at plants that keep Saudi Arabia supplied with desalinated water and power. Chemistry is what keeps equipment running for years rather than months, so the work sits right at the heart of plant reliability. In a reverse osmosis desalination plant, the chemist follows the water from intake to product, watching feedwater quality, pretreatment performance, membrane condition, and the early signs of scaling and fouling. Product water must meet quality targets every day, and that depends on careful dosing and close monitoring. In a combined cycle gas turbine plant, the focus shifts to the steam-water cycle, the heat recovery steam generator, condensate, feedwater, and cooling-water systems, where small chemical imbalances can cause corrosion or deposits that cost time and output. Laboratory work underpins all of it. You’ll run tests, take samples, and calibrate equipment so that results can be trusted, and you’ll analyse trends to spot deviations before they become problems. When something drifts out of range, you’ll investigate the cause, troubleshoot the chemical treatment, and coordinate corrective action with operations and maintenance colleagues. Cleaning-in-place of RO membranes and the preparation of chemicals are part of the routine, and so are the consumption records, operational logs, and performance reports that show how the plant is doing. Safety runs through every task, from safe chemical handling and the use of safety data sheets and personal protective equipment to environmental protection and waste management.
As Chemist, you’ll build deep expertise in water treatment chemistry, membrane performance, and steam-water cycle control, while sharpening the analytical and reporting skills that plant operations depend on. The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, with a postgraduate qualification considered a strong advantage, and brings at least four years of relevant experience in RO desalination or CCGT power plants. Experience in the Middle East is preferred. Strong knowledge of membrane treatment and water quality analysis, or of steam-water cycle and cooling-water chemistry, is essential, along with hands-on laboratory and chemical dosing experience. The ability to read chemistry trends, spot deviations, and recommend corrective action is central to the job, as is knowledge of laboratory calibration and quality control. A certified environmental and safety qualification is required, and awareness of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 is a plus. Clear reporting, good communication, and strong organization complete the profile. For experienced plant chemists in Saudi Arabia who want to work on desalination and power assets at scale, this campaign offers a clear route into a major operator.
Why This Role Matters: As Chemist with ACWA Operations, you help keep desalinated water and power reliable for communities across Saudi Arabia, protect membranes and steam equipment from scaling and corrosion, run the laboratory work that makes plant decisions trustworthy, lead chemistry investigations to a lasting fix, maintain safe chemical handling and environmental standards, and advance a senior career in water and power plant chemistry.
Key Responsibilities & Chemistry Duties
RO Desalination Chemistry
- Oversee feedwater quality and pretreatment performance
- Monitor membrane performance across RO trains
- Watch for scaling and fouling in membrane systems
- Confirm product-water quality meets targets
- Monitor chemical dosing for RO treatment
- Analyze water quality trends for early warning
CCGT Power Plant Chemistry
- Monitor steam-water cycle chemistry
- Oversee HRSG chemistry and performance
- Control condensate and feedwater quality
- Monitor cooling-water system chemistry
- Prevent corrosion and deposits in plant circuits
- Recommend adjustments to keep chemistry in range
Laboratory Testing & Calibration
- Run laboratory tests on plant water and chemical samples
- Carry out sampling to a documented standard
- Perform chemical analysis accurately and consistently
- Calibrate laboratory equipment on schedule
- Check results for reliability before reporting
- Maintain the laboratory to quality control standards
Chemical Treatment & Maintenance Coordination
- Coordinate RO membrane cleaning-in-place (CIP) activities
- Prepare chemicals safely for treatment work
- Support chemistry-related maintenance tasks
- Plan treatment activities around plant operations
- Confirm treatment outcomes after cleaning
- Coordinate with maintenance on chemistry-related work
Deviation Investigation & Corrective Action
- Investigate chemistry deviations as they arise
- Troubleshoot chemical treatment issues
- Coordinate corrective actions with operations and maintenance
- Identify root causes of recurring chemistry problems
- Follow up on corrective actions until they are effective
- Recommend preventive measures for the future
Records, Reporting & Compliance
- Maintain chemical consumption records accurately
- Keep laboratory results and operational logs complete
- Prepare periodic plant performance reports
- Follow HSE requirements and safe chemical handling procedures
- Use safety data sheets and personal protective equipment correctly
- Support environmental protection and waste management standards
Qualifications & Requirements
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (BSc)
- Postgraduate qualification in Chemistry (preferred)
Experience
- Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in RO desalination or CCGT power plants
- Experience working in the Middle East (preferred)
- Experience in laboratory testing and chemical sampling
- Experience with water treatment processes and chemical dosing systems
Technical Skills
- RO desalination chemistry, membrane treatment, and water quality analysis, or CCGT steam-water and cooling-water chemistry
- Ability to analyze chemistry trends and recommend corrective actions
- Knowledge of laboratory equipment calibration and quality control
- Understanding of chemical treatment monitoring
Safety & Certification
- Certified Environmental and Safety Qualification
- Understanding of chemical safety, environmental compliance, waste management, and HSE
- Awareness or working knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 (preferred)
Personal Skills
- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving
- Clear reporting and communication
- Strong organizational skills
Career Development & Growth Opportunities
Professional Advancement
- Pathway toward Senior Plant Chemist or Chemistry Lead roles
- Opportunity to specialize in membrane or steam-cycle chemistry
- Growth into plant operations and technical leadership
- Exposure to large-scale water and power assets
Learning & Development
- Hands-on experience across RO and CCGT chemistry
- Deeper expertise in laboratory quality control
- Development of investigation and corrective action skills
- Exposure to ISO management systems and HSE practice
About ACWA Operations — Desalination and Power for Saudi Arabia
ACWA Operations runs and maintains water and power plants across Saudi Arabia, including reverse osmosis desalination facilities and combined cycle gas turbine power stations. The company’s technical teams focus on plant reliability, water quality, and safe, efficient operation, with strong attention to HSE and environmental standards. Its recruitment campaigns bring experienced specialists into the plant network to support that work.
Career Excellence in Plant Chemistry: Join a major operator in Saudi Arabia, safeguard water and steam chemistry at desalination and power plants, run laboratory quality control, lead chemistry investigations, and build a senior career in water and power plant chemistry.
Who Should Apply?
- Water Treatment Chemists: With RO desalination experience
- Power Plant Chemists: Experienced in CCGT steam-water cycles
- Laboratory Chemists: Moving into plant operations
- Chemistry Graduates with Plant Experience: Seeking a senior role
- HSE Chemistry Specialists: With water treatment background
- Middle East Plant Professionals: Looking for KSA opportunities
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