Irrigation Manager

Gulf Contracting & Landscaping (GCL); Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Gulf Contracting & Landscaping (GCL) seeks an experienced Irrigation Manager to lead design coordination, installation and commissioning of irrigation systems across landscaping and infrastructure projects in the UAE.

You will provide technical leadership on irrigation networks, water management and controller systems, and work with Projects, Nursery and Civil teams to deliver packages safely and on budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural or Mechanical Engineering (or related field).
• 10+ years of experience in irrigation system design, installation and management in landscaping or contracting; 3+ years in a senior leadership role, ideally in UAE/GCC.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist leadership on irrigation design, installation and commissioning including piping, subsurface systems, pumps, controllers and sensors.
• Review designs, shop drawings and submittals; coordinate with consultants to resolve clashes.
• Oversee on-site irrigation works, ensure alignment with program, planting schedules and quality standards.
• Lead testing and commissioning, including controller programming, zoning, and flow/pressure tests; ensure handover meets design performance.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Nursery and Civil & Infrastructure teams to align irrigation with planting programs and project sequencing.

Skills

Irrigation design

Hydraulic calculations

Controller systems

Water sources

English communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

The Irrigation Manager is responsible for leading the design coordination, installation and commissioning of irrigation systems across landscaping and infrastructure projects. The role provides specialist technical leadership on irrigation networks, water management and controller systems, ensures efficient water use and plant health outcomes, and works closely with Projects, Civil & Infrastructure and the Nursery function to deliver irrigation packages safely, on time and to budget.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Technical Leadership & Design Coordination

• Provide specialist technical leadership on irrigation system design and installation, including piping networks, sub surface system, pump stations, controllers, sensors and authority water source approvals with connections.
• Review irrigation design packages, shop drawings and technical submittals, coordinating with consultants and designers to resolve technical queries and design clashes.
• Ensure irrigation designs and installations comply with relevant UAE standards (DM/ ADM), water authority requirements and water efficiency best practices.

Construction Delivery

• Oversee day-to-day execution of irrigation works on site, ensuring alignment with project program, planting schedules and quality standards.
• Coordinate closely with irrigation subcontractors and suppliers to ensure efficient sequencing, quality workmanship and timely completion.
• Lead testing and commissioning of irrigation systems, including controller programming, zoning and flow/pressure testing, ensuring systems operate to design performance prior to handover.
• Monitor and optimize irrigation scheduling post-handover during defects liability periods to support healthy plant establishment and efficient water use.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all irrigation work comply with quality assurance procedures and HSE requirements, including safe excavation and working near live utilities.
• Oversee testing and inspection of irrigation installations, ensuring timely close-out of non-conformances and authority inspections where applicable.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Project Managers, the Nursery Manager and Civil & Infrastructure team to align irrigation delivery with planting program and overall project sequencing.
• Coordinate with Commercial and Estimation teams on technical input for irrigation-related variations, claims and pricing.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATION:

• Minimum Qualification: Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field. Specialist irrigation design certification is an advantage.
• Minimum Experience: 10+ years of experience in irrigation system design, installation and management within the landscaping or contracting sector, with at least 3 years in a senior irrigation leadership role, ideally within the UAE/GCC market.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

• Job Specific: Strong technical knowledge of irrigation network design, hydraulic calculations, controller and sensor technology, water source and pump systems, and UAE water authority requirements; ability to read and coordinate irrigation and landscaping drawings.
• Generic Skills: Strong technical problem-solving, attention to detail, coordination across multiple trades, and good verbal and written communication skills in English (Arabic is an advantage).