Lead Architect

ATKINSREALIS OVERSEAS - DUBAI BRANCH; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 650,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salary

Life insurance coverage

Medical insurance

Annual leave balance

Company gratuity scheme

Discretionary bonus program

Annual flight contribution

Transportation & housing allowances

Employee Wellbeing Program

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis in Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced Lead Architect to drive architectural design coordination and provide on-site supervision for large-scale building projects.

You will review submissions, oversee multidisciplinary coordination, and ensure compliance with local regulations and project specifications throughout construction.

Qualifications

• Degree in architecture required; professional registration preferred.
• Minimum 15+ years of architecture experience with construction supervision/PMC/consultancy.
• Experience in large-scale mixed-use, commercial, hospitality, residential, aviation, healthcare or infrastructure projects in the UAE.
• Strong knowledge of architectural detailing, materials, construction methods and UAE regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design review and technical coordination throughout the project lifecycle.
• Supervise architectural works on-site ensuring compliance with drawings and contract.
• Review and approve shop drawings, submittals, RFIs, method statements and mock-ups.
• Conduct regular site inspections and prepare site observation reports.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, contractors and authorities to resolve issues.
• Monitor construction progress and ensure schedule adherence.
• Ensure compliance with UAE building codes and health & safety requirements.
• Lead QA/QC activities and manage snagging, de-snagging and handover processes.
• Mentor junior architects and site supervision staff.
• Participate in design changes, value engineering and on-site problem solving.

Skills

Leadership

Site supervision

Stakeholder management

Multidisciplinary teams

Construction coordination

Contractor management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture

Professional registration/accreditation preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description Overview

We are seeking an experienced Lead Architect to lead architectural design coordination and provide site supervision services for large-scale building projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the architectural intent is maintained throughout construction, managing multidisciplinary coordination, reviewing contractor submissions, and overseeing site execution in compliance with project specifications, local regulations, and quality standards.

Your role

• Lead architectural design review and technical coordination throughout project lifecycle.
• Supervise architectural works on-site and ensure compliance with approved drawings, specifications, and contract requirements.
• Review and approve shop drawings, material submittals, RFIs, method statements, and mock-ups.
• Conduct regular site inspections and prepare site observation reports.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, contractors, and authorities to resolve technical issues.
• Monitor construction progress and ensure adherence to project schedules.
• Ensure compliance with UAE building codes, authority regulations, and health & safety requirements.
• Lead architectural QA/QC activities and manage snagging, de-snagging, and handover processes.
• Mentor junior architects and site supervision staff.
• Participate in design changes, value engineering, and technical problem solving during construction.

About you

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture.
• Professional registration/accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 15+ years of experience in architecture, with significant experience in construction supervision/PMC/consultancy projects.
• Experience in large-scale mixed-use, commercial, hospitality, residential, aviation, healthcare, or infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of architectural detailing, building materials, construction methodologies, and UAE regulations.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, BIM platforms, and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working with international engineering consultancy firms.
• Previous experience in Abu Dhabi and familiarity with DMT, ADM, and UAE authority requirements.
• Site supervision experience on projects valued above USD 100M.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing contractor performance.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.

• Tax-free salary
• Life insurance coverage
• Medical insurance
• Annual leave balance
• Company gratuity scheme
• Discretionary bonus program
• Annual flight contribution
• Transportation & housing allowances
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. Find out more.

Worker Type Employee Job Type Regular At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences. Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear and Capital. News and information are available at Atkinsrealis or follow us on LinkedIn.