Design Manager

WSP in the Middle East; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global engineering firm is seeking a highly experienced Design Manager in Abu Dhabi to lead the design management for a major infrastructure masterplan project. The ideal candidate will have 15 years of experience, with at least 5 years in Abu Dhabi, managing multi-disciplinary teams and ensuring compliance with local design standards. The role offers competitive pay, flexible work arrangements, and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive pay

First-class medical cover

Generous annual leave

Paid professional subscriptions

Flexible work options

Qualifications

• 15 years of total professional experience in infrastructure design focused on roads and highways.
• Minimum of 5 years of recent experience working on design projects within Abu Dhabi.
• Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary design teams on large-scale projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead design management and coordination of infrastructure design teams.
• Serve as primary interface between design team, consultants, client, and authorities.
• Oversee preparation and submission of design deliverables.

Skills

Stakeholder coordination

Quality assurance

Communication skills

Innovation and value engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

BIM platforms

Job description

Overview

Job Description Think bigger scale Think higher profile Think ground-breaking Join WSP and you ll be at the heart of a team of international experts all dedicated to growing and sharing their expertise and working on projects that transform society for all of us. We are seeking a highly experienced Design Manager to join our team in Abu Dhabi supporting the delivery of a major infrastructure masterplan design project. This is a key leadership role within our transport and infrastructure division requiring deep technical knowledge, strong stakeholder coordination skills, and a track record of successful delivery in the UAE - particularly within Abu Dhabi.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design management and coordination of multi-disciplinary infrastructure design teams across roads, highways, utilities, and public realm elements of the masterplan.
• Serve as the primary interface between the internal design team, external consultants, client representatives, and regulatory authorities.
• Oversee the preparation, review, and submission of design deliverables in accordance with Abu Dhabi standards, regulations, and project timelines.
• Manage design risks, ensure quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC), and drive innovation and value engineering where applicable.
• Coordinate with planning, environmental, and architecture teams to ensure seamless integration across all masterplanning elements.
• Lead technical review workshops, design coordination meetings, and progress reporting for internal and client stakeholders.
• Support project managers and discipline leads in managing resources, schedules, and deliverables.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
• 15 years of total professional experience in infrastructure design with a focus on roads and highways.
• A minimum of 5 years of recent experience working on design projects within Abu Dhabi is essential.
• Proven experience in leading multi-disciplinary design teams on large-scale infrastructure or masterplanning projects.
• Deep understanding of Abu Dhabi design standards (DMT/ADM guidelines) and authority approval processes.
• Strong communication and coordination skills with clients, contractors, and authorities.
• Experience with design tools and platforms (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D, BIM platforms) is a plus.
• PMP, Chartership (e.g., MICE, PE), or equivalent professional certifications are desirable.

What we offer

What if we can have work-life balance? What if we can be rewarded in ways that support our individual needs? What if we can be accepted for who we are? Here at WSP, we can. WSP recognizes that work is only one part of our lives and making time for the other things in our life is important. Be that our families, our friends, or ourselves. So, if working from home, working part-time, or having flexible start and finish time will help with this, let us know as part of your application. As well as rewarding you with competitive pay, WSP offers standard benefits including first-class medical cover, generous annual leave, and paid professional subscriptions. Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.