Handover Defects Manager

Al Ashram Contracting; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Al Ashram Contracting seeks a seasoned Mechanical/Electrical Site Engineer to oversee defects liability, handovers, and regulatory approvals on major UAE building projects. You will coordinate with authorities, manage inspections, and ensure strict adherence to codes and safety standards.

The role requires 6–8 years in UAE/GCC construction, experience with consultants or Tier-1 contractors, and familiarity with FIDIC, NFPA/Fire codes, and building management systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum 6–8 years of experience within UAE or GCC construction.
• Minimum 2 years managing Defects Liability Period and handover transition.
• Experience as a Mechanical/Electrical Site Engineer on large building projects.
• Experience with consultants, developers or Tier-1 contractors preferred.
• FIDIC Contracts, UAE Building Codes, UAE Fire & Life Safety Code.
• Authority approval processes and building commissioning.
• Testing & Commissioning (T&C); preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Building Management Systems (BMS) and Fire Alarm/Fighting systems.
• HVAC, LV/ELV, plumbing, drainage; chiller, lifts, escalators, generators.
• PMP, PRINCE2, NEBOSH or IOSH Managing Safely; OSHA Construction Safety.
• CFM certification advantageous.
• Flexible to attend emergency call-outs for critical defects.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with UAE regulatory authorities including DM, DEWA, DCD, RTA, Nakheel, Trakhees as required.
• Ensure rectification works comply with local regulations and building codes.
• Support obtaining final authority approvals for completed rectification works.
• Manage post-handover activities between project team and facilities management.
• Coordinate final snagging, pre-handover, initial handover, and final completion inspections.
• Assist in issuing TOC and FCC.
• Ensure O&M manuals, warranties, spare parts, training records, and as-built drawings are submitted and accepted.
• Monitor contractor performance against KPIs and SLAs.
• Escalate defects and recommend contractual remedies where necessary.
• Coordinate with commercial/contracts on retention release linked to DLP.

Skills

Regulatory coordination

Contract management

Handover coordination

Quality & safety awareness

Stakeholder liaison

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering

Tools

BMS familiarity

FIDIC/Building codes knowledge

Job description

• Coordinate with UAE regulatory authorities where required, including Dubai Municipality (DM), DEWA, Dubai Civil Defence (DCD), RTA, DDA, Nakheel, Trakhees, or other relevant authorities depending on the project location.
• Ensure rectification works comply with local authority regulations, UAE Fire & Life Safety Code, and applicable building codes.
• Support obtaining final authority approvals related to completed rectification works where applicable.
• Manage post-handover activities between the Project Team and Facilities Management Team.
• Coordinate Final Snagging, Pre-Handover, Initial Handover, Practical Completion, and Final Completion inspections.
• Assist in achieving successful issuance of the Taking Over Certificate (TOC) and Final Completion Certificate (FCC).
• Ensure all Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Manuals, warranties, spare parts, training records, and as-built drawings have been submitted and accepted.
• Monitor contractor performance against contractual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Escalate unresolved defects to senior management and recommend contractual remedies where necessary.
• Coordinate with commercial and contracts teams regarding retention release linked to DLP completion.

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum 6–8 years of experience within the UAE or GCC construction industry.
• Minimum 2 years of experience managing Defects Liability Period, project handover facilities transition.
• Previous experience as a Mechanical/Electrical Site Engineer on large-scale building projects.
• Experience with consultants, developers, or Tier-1 contractors is highly preferred.
• FIDIC Contracts, UAE Building Codes, UAE Fire & Life Safety Code
• Authority approval processes, Building commissioning
• Testing & Commissioning (T&C), Preventive and Corrective Maintenance principles
• Building Management Systems (BMS) , Fire Alarm & Fire Fighting Systems
• HVAC Systems, LV & ELV Systems, Plumbing & Drainage
• Chilled Water Systems, Lift & Escalator Systems, Generator Systems
• PMP (Project Management Professional)
• PRINCE2, NEBOSH or IOSH Managing Safely , OSHA Construction Safety
• Certified Facilities Manager (CFM) – advantageous
• Flexible to attend emergency call-outs related to critical building defects when required.