Design Manager - Architecture

Parsons

Dubai

On-site

AED 390,600 - 613,800

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Parsons is seeking a Design Manager - Architecture in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to lead the architectural design development for a major railway programme. Candidates should have a minimum of 15 years of architectural design experience, particularly in complex transportation facilities.

The role involves overseeing architectural deliverables and managing multidisciplinary teams to create integrated and efficient designs. This is a full-time position where the ideal candidate will ensure compliance with design standards and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

Minimum 15 years of experience in architectural design and design management.
Proven expertise in rail, metro, and transportation infrastructure projects.
Strong experience managing architectural teams.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the architectural design for railway stations.
Oversee architectural deliverables across all design stages.
Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams for project integration.

Skills

Architectural design management

Railway station architecture

Metro station design

Transportation architecture

Public realm design

Passenger flow planning

Accessibility design

Wayfinding coordination

BIM coordination

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture

Tools

BIM platforms

Architectural coordination tools

Job description

Design Manager - Architecture Job Snapshot Role: Design Manager - Architecture Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Industry: Civil Engineering Function: Architect Experience: Minimum 15 years architectural design experience Job Type: Full-time

Design Manager - Architecture in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a Civil Engineering opportunity for a senior architectural leader with strong experience in rail, metro, airport, station design, transportation facilities, public realm planning, passenger flow, BIM coordination, multidisciplinary design integration, and authority-compliant architectural delivery. This role is suited for an experienced design manager who can lead architectural teams, coordinate complex interfaces, and deliver efficient, passenger-focused, buildable design solutions for a major railway project.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Industry: Civil Engineering
Function: Architect
Salary: 35000-55000
Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time

Context

The Design Manager - Architecture will lead the architectural design development of stations, ancillary buildings, public realm areas, and associated transportation facilities within a major railway programme. The role connects architectural design with passenger experience, operational performance, system integration, regulatory compliance, airport interfaces, and multidisciplinary coordination. By guiding design teams and resolving interfaces early, the position helps create functional, accessible, safe, maintainable, and technically coordinated station environments that support long-term transport operations.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage the architectural design process for railway stations, ancillary buildings, public realm interfaces, and transportation-related facilities.
Oversee architectural deliverables across concept, preliminary design, design development, tender, and pre-construction stages.
Review architectural drawings, design reports, technical packages, presentations, specifications, and tender deliverables for quality, consistency, and compliance.
Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams including infrastructure, rail systems, urban planning, MEP, structural, environmental, operational, and BIM teams.
Ensure architectural outputs align with project requirements, design standards, client expectations, authority regulations, operational needs, and programme milestones.
Coordinate with airport stakeholders where required to support seamless integration with terminals, landside access, passenger movement, and operational interfaces.
Guide station planning to support passenger flow, accessibility, wayfinding, crowd movement, safety, maintainability, and operational efficiency.
Monitor architectural design progress and ensure deliverables remain aligned with programme, budget, approval requirements, and project objectives.
Lead design reviews, coordination workshops, technical discussions, value engineering sessions, and risk assessment meetings.
Ensure architectural design supports overall system integration across stations, public interfaces, airport connections, and operational environments.
Coordinate with stakeholders, authorities, operators, and relevant entities to support approvals, design alignment, and regulatory compliance.
Identify architectural design risks, interface conflicts, coordination gaps, and approval challenges, then develop practical mitigation strategies.
Support preparation of technical reports, design presentations, tender packages, design narratives, and stakeholder documentation.
Ensure BIM integration and multidisciplinary coordination requirements are properly implemented across architectural work packages.
Provide technical leadership, review guidance, and quality direction to architectural design teams.
Work with engineering, systems, construction, and operations teams to ensure architectural solutions are technically feasible, buildable, safe, and passenger-focused.
Promote practical design decisions that balance design quality, operational efficiency, cost control, construction readiness, and long-term asset performance.

Ideal Profile

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture from a recognized university.
Minimum 15 years of experience in architectural design, design management, or multidisciplinary project coordination.
Proven expertise in rail, metro, airport, transportation infrastructure, stations, or large-scale public building projects.
Strong experience managing architectural teams and coordinating complex design interfaces across multiple disciplines.
Good understanding of station planning, passenger flow, accessibility, wayfinding, public realm design, integrated transport environments, and operational requirements.
Familiarity with international design standards, local regulatory requirements, authority approval processes, and transportation project design criteria.
Experience in design development, multidisciplinary coordination, design reviews, value engineering, and tender documentation.
Proficiency in BIM platforms and architectural coordination tools will be an advantage.
Experience working in complex multi-stakeholder environments, preferably within the GCC.
Experience on projects involving airport integration, intermodal transport hubs, terminal access, or aviation stakeholder interfaces is preferred.
Understanding of airport operations, passenger movement, and interfaces with aviation stakeholders will be an advantage.
Professional certification or membership with a relevant architectural or engineering institute will be an advantage.
Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and design coordination skills.
Ability to guide teams, resolve design issues, manage competing priorities, and support delivery in a fast-paced project environment.

Skills Set