Design Manager – MEP

Surbana Jurong; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A global multidisciplinary consultancy is seeking a Design Manager – MEP in the United Arab Emirates. In this pivotal role, you will lead and manage MEP design delivery across complex projects, ensuring alignment with quality and budget while effectively coordinating engineering disciplines. The ideal candidate should hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering and have at least 15 years of experience in MEP design, making substantial impact in delivering landmark projects and driving professional growth within a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in MEP design and delivery on building projects.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary MEP design teams.
• Experience delivering large-scale or complex projects is highly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Represent the company with clients and stakeholders.
• Lead and manage MEP design delivery across all project stages.
• Provide strong technical leadership and effective coordination across all MEP engineering disciplines.

Skills

Leadership

Technical judgment

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Job description

About Surbana Jurong

Surbana Jurong (SJ Group) is a global multidisciplinary consultancy dedicated to shaping cities, transforming communities, and delivering sustainable, people‑centric environments. With over 16,500 professionals across 40+ countries, our Middle East practice continues to grow rapidly, delivering complex and high‑profile projects across buildings, infrastructure, cities, and mixed‑use developments.

The Role

As a key member of SJ’s Building Services Design team, the Design Manager – MEP will play a pivotal role in the delivery of complex and high‑profile projects across the Middle East. This position requires strong leadership, sound technical judgement, and hands‑on design expertise to manage multidisciplinary MEP design delivery within demanding programme and commercial constraints. SJ values initiative, problem‑solving, ambition, and collaboration, and provides an environment that supports professional growth and increased responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent SJ on a day‑to‑day basis with Clients, Contractors, and key Stakeholders.
• Lead and manage MEP design delivery across all project stages, ensuring alignment with agreed scope, programme, quality, and budget.
• Provide strong technical leadership with a mandatory hands‑on design background, supporting high‑quality and practical engineering solutions.
• Ensure effective coordination across all MEP engineering disciplines, resolving spatial, technical, and interface constraints within the overall project design.
• Communicate clearly and confidently with project stakeholders, articulating design intent and providing direction to internal and external design teams.
• Manage and administer change control, variations, and associated commercial impacts in close collaboration with project leadership.

Key Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (B.E / B.Tech or M.E / M.Tech) in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering from a recognised university.
• Minimum 15 years’ experience in MEP design and delivery on building projects.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary MEP design teams, with responsibility for resources, budgets, and programme delivery.
• Experience delivering large‑scale or complex projects is highly advantageous.

Key Knowledge and Skills

• Strong commercial awareness, including experience managing change control, variations, and contractual impacts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently at senior client and stakeholder levels.
• Proven leadership capability with a collaborative and delivery‑focused approach.
• High level of ownership, accountability, and commitment to design quality and project outcomes.
• Ability to operate effectively within fast‑paced, multidisciplinary consultancy environments.

Why Join SJ?

Join a global, multidisciplinary consultancy delivering landmark projects across the Middle East. At SJ, you will collaborate with industry‑leading professionals, contribute to technically challenging developments, and grow your career within a supportive and forward‑thinking organisation.

How to Apply

Please submit your application through our official careers portal by clicking the “Apply Now” button and following the instructions.

Note: Recruitment for this role is managed internally. Unsolicited CVs from agencies will not be considered.

At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!