Design Manager

NSDA Holding; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent construction firm in Abu Dhabi is seeking a qualified professional to lead design management and compliance activities for major projects. The ideal candidate must possess a relevant degree, a minimum of 10–12 years of design management experience, and strong knowledge of UAE regulations. This role requires effective leadership and technical support during construction phases.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10–12 years of professional experience in design management and engineering coordination.
• At least 5 years of experience in the UAE with authority approvals.
• Management experience in a General Contracting company is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop the Design Brief and plan the design schedule.
• Manage the process of obtaining permits and approvals.
• Provide technical support to site teams during construction.

Skills

Authority requirements knowledge

UAE Building Codes familiarity

Proficiency in AutoCAD

Proficiency in Revit

Fluency in English

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management

Tools

MS Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Purpose

To organize, lead, and ensure the effective implementation of all design and technical coordination activities within the General Contractor’s scope for the entire project lifecycle. This includes ensuring full compliance with UAE/Abu Dhabi regulations, quality standards, and contractual obligations from concept through to project commissioning.

Job Responsibilities

• General Management and Design Coordination: Develop the Design Brief; plan and control the design schedule; coordinate all design disciplines (architectural, structural, MEP, etc.); supervise the preparation and approval of all design documentation, including "Issued for Construction" sets.
• Authority Approvals and Regulatory Coordination: Manage the entire process of obtaining permits, NOCs, and approvals from Abu Dhabi authorities; maintain expert knowledge of systems like TAMM, ADM e-Permits, and Estidama; liaise with authority representatives.
• Construction Phase Technical Support: Provide continuous technical support to site teams; ensure approved drawings are available on‑site; supervise the preparation of as‑built documentation.
• Document Control and Quality Assurance: Oversee workflow in the document management system; ensure traceability and version control; verify deliverables meet all requirements before release.
• Leadership and Team Management: Lead and supervise subordinate engineers, architects, and draftsmen; assign tasks and monitor performance; provide mentorship and report to the Project Manager.

Skills

Requirements

Education and Specialization

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management from an accredited university.
• Degree Equivalency Certificate from the UAE Ministry of Education (if the degree was obtained outside the UAE).

Professional Licensing and Certifications (Mandatory)

• Valid registration with the UAE Society of Engineers – mandatory.
• Must hold a valid Engineer Classification License (Gray Card) issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT). The accepted specialties and corresponding degree requirements are:
• Civil Eng. – Soil Mechanics: Requires a degree in Civil Engineering (specialization in Geotechnics / Soil Mechanics).
• Civil Eng. – Building Systems: Requires a degree in Civil Engineering / Building Systems.
• Civil Eng.: Requires a degree in Civil Engineering.
• Structural Eng.: Requires a degree in Structural Engineering / Civil (Structural).
• Civil – Construction Management Eng.: Requires a degree in Civil Engineering / Construction Management.

Experience

• Minimum 10–12 years of professional experience in design management and engineering coordination within construction projects.
• Includes at least 5 years of experience in the UAE with authority approvals and electronic documentation systems.
• Includes at least 5 years of management experience within a General Contracting company.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and coordinating design, documentation, and construction workflows.

Knowledge and Skills

• Deep understanding of authority requirements, document structures, and submission hierarchies in Abu Dhabi.
• Strong knowledge of UAE Building Codes, ADM, Civil Defense, Estidama, EAD, and KEZAD regulations.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, MS Project, and Microsoft Office.
• English fluency (Upper‑Intermediate or higher); Arabic is an advantage.