Design Manager (Marine)

WSP Global Inc.; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 400,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Abu Dhabi Ports seeks a Design Manager (Marine) to lead the engineering design of marine structures, port facilities, and coastal infrastructure in Abu Dhabi. You will guide concepts through construction with a focus on quality, safety, and compliance while managing budget and schedule.

You will mentor engineers, coordinate with clients and authorities, and deliver complex design work using AutoCAD, Civil 3D, STAAD, PLAXIS and BIM tools. On-site presence and travel to project sites are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Marine, or Structural Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer registration is required.
• Minimum 15 years in marine/port design with 5+ years in leadership.
• Strong knowledge of international maritime codes and UAE regulations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams on large projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full design lifecycle of marine and port infrastructure from concept to construction.
• Mentor multidisciplinary teams and ensure effective collaboration.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants and regulatory authorities for approvals.
• Develop design schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
• Review design outputs for quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Present technical reports and design reviews to senior management.
• Support procurement and construction with design clarification on site.

Skills

Leadership & mentoring

Stakeholder management

Communication

On-site coordination

Regulatory compliance awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Marine, or Structural Engineering

PE or Chartered Engineer registration

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

STAAD

PLAXIS

BIM tools

Job description

The Design Manager (Marine) will spearhead the engineering design of marine structures, port facilities, and coastal infrastructure for Abu Dhabi Ports. Reporting to the AE Maritime department, you will provide technical leadership from concept through construction, coordinate with clients and stakeholders, and guarantee that all deliverables meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance while staying within budget and schedule constraints.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the complete design lifecycle of marine and port infrastructure projects, from concept to construction.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams, ensuring effective collaboration and performance.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, and regulatory authorities to capture requirements and obtain approvals.
• Develop and maintain project design schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
• Ensure all design outputs comply with technical standards, quality, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Review and approve design calculations, drawings, and specifications.
• Facilitate value engineering and risk mitigation strategies throughout the project.
• Prepare and present technical reports, progress updates, and design reviews to senior management.
• Support procurement and construction phases by providing design clarification and on‑site assistance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and adopt best practices in marine engineering design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Marine, or Structural Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 15 years of experience in marine and port infrastructure design, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer registration.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams on large‑scale projects.
• Strong knowledge of international maritime codes, standards, and local UAE regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D, STAAD, PLAXIS) and BIM tools.
• Fluent in English; Arabic language skills are an advantage.
• Willingness to travel to project sites and work on‑site as required.