King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
From 1975 to 1990 Balghunaim worked as an academic first at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and then at King Saud University. He served as the deputy agriculture minister responsible for fisheries for one year (1990-1991). Then he was named as governor of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) in 1991. His tenure lasted until 2001. He became a member of the Shoura Council in 2001. He served as a member of the services, public facilities and environment committee in the council until 2003.