Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) is the principal power utility in Saudi Arabia, responsible for electricity generation, transmission and distribution across the kingdom. Headquartered in Riyadh, the company provides integrated energy services to resi...
"I joined as a field technician and felt welcomed from day one. The on-site teams are friendly and you’ll find coworkers who’ll help when things get hectic."
"Office roles are more structured — you’ll notice the paperwork and approvals, but the benefits make up for it."
"Senior engineers encourage certifications and helped sponsor my training; I appreciated that they invested in my growth."
These snippets reflect a mix of hands-on and corporate voices. They capture the everyday reality of working at a large utility: supportive peers, administrative layers, and a strong emphasis on safety and standards.
The company culture is practical and mission-driven. People take pride in keeping lights on and infrastructure running. There is a clear respect for technical competence and safety, and collaboration happens most naturally around projects and outages. If you search for "company culture at Saudi Electricity Company" you will see recurring themes: responsibility, formality, and pride in public service. Decision-making can be hierarchical, but teams often create informal networks to get things done faster.
Work-life balance varies by role. Field and operations staff work shifts and on-call rotations, so you will have busy periods and quieter ones. Office staff typically enjoy predictable hours, and there are allowances for leave and family needs. Overall, "work-life balance at Saudi Electricity Company" is fair for office roles and more demanding for frontline positions, which is normal for utilities.
Job security is relatively strong. The company is a major national utility with government ownership and strategic importance, so layoffs are rare compared to private-sector peers. Employment is stable for long-term planners and technical staff. Contracts and regulations provide a degree of protection, and employees will often find internal mobility options before facing redundancy.
Leadership is strategic and aligned with national energy goals, including modernization and reliability. Management style tends to be formal and process-focused. There are clear performance metrics and emphasis on compliance. Leaders will often communicate top-down, with program-driven initiatives and multi-year plans. Those who prefer structure and clarity will find this environment comfortable; those who expect rapid, flat decision-making may find it slower.
Managers receive mixed feedback. Many are praised for technical knowledge, fairness in shift allocations, and for supporting safety. Some managers are criticized for being risk-averse and bureaucratic, especially in administrative departments. Performance evaluations are generally standardized; good managers use them to mentor employees, while others treat them as routine paperwork.
Learning and development is a strong point. There are in-house training centers, technical certification pathways, and partnerships with universities and international vendors. Employees will find structured programs for electrical safety, asset management, and project management. Scholarships and sponsored certifications are offered for high-potential staff, and on-the-job learning during outages is invaluable.
Promotion paths exist but are typically hierarchical. Advancement depends on tenure, certifications, performance ratings, and sometimes alignment with nationalization policies. Technical experts can rise through specialist ladders, while those seeking management roles may need to demonstrate project delivery and leadership across teams. Internal job postings make it possible to move laterally or upward without leaving the organization.
Salaries are competitive for the region and reflect government-linked stability. Approximate ranges (SAR, monthly) are:
These ranges vary by experience, location, and role. Compensation tends to be transparent by grade and is supplemented by allowances.
Bonuses are mostly performance-based and tied to individual and company metrics. There are annual bonuses, project completion incentives, and overtime pay for operational staff. Long-service awards and special allowances for difficult assignments are common. Incentive programs emphasize safety, reliability, and efficiency.
Health coverage is comprehensive. Medical insurance typically includes employees and often extends to immediate family members. Benefits include hospitalization, outpatient care, and specialized treatments. There are also occupational health programs, regular medical check-ups, and safety-driven health initiatives for field staff.
Employee engagement is active, with town halls, safety campaigns, and team-building exercises. The company organizes community outreach and awareness programs, especially around electrical safety. There are departmental events, recognition ceremonies, and occasional national-day celebrations that foster esprit de corps.
Remote work support is limited for operational roles but more flexible for corporate functions. IT teams and certain administrative departments will offer hybrid arrangements and remote tools. The company has invested in digital platforms for collaboration, though many processes still require in-office presence for approvals and secure systems.
Average working hours vary: corporate roles work standard office hours (about 8 hours per day), while field staff work shift patterns that can include nights and weekends during outages. Overtime is expected during peak maintenance or emergency response periods. Overall, the schedule reflects operational needs.
Attrition is moderate but lower than many private-sector counterparts. The company has not experienced widespread layoffs in recent years; any reorganizations have usually involved targeted restructures or redeployments. Employee turnover is most common among early-career hires and those seeking private-sector opportunities.
Overall, this is a stable, mission-oriented employer with solid benefits, structured development, and meaningful work. You will find a formal, process-driven environment that rewards technical skill and reliability. If you value job security, training opportunities, and contributing to national infrastructure, this company is a strong choice. For those seeking rapid startup-style growth or complete remote flexibility, it may feel more traditional and deliberate. Overall rating: 4 out of 5 — dependable, well-resourced, and people-focused with room for modernization in some managerial practices.
Read authentic experiences from current and former employees at Saudi Electricity Company
Good exposure to large-scale systems and solid job security.
Contract renewals are unpredictable; management meetings can be too frequent.
Supportive manager, clear benefits and good work-life options.
Career ladder is a bit slow; promotions can take time.
Great team and hands-on learning.
Long hours during peak seasons and occasional weekend calls.
Interesting technical projects, strong training programs and very stable employer benefits.
Sometimes approvals take longer than expected, internal processes can be slow.
