Lead Structural Engineer (Design Review)

KEO Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

KEO Group seeks an experienced Lead Structural Engineer – Design Review with a strong background in steel structures to lead high‑level design reviews for major building projects in the UAE. Location: Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

The ideal candidate will have 20+ years in structural engineering, CAT-2/CAT-3 review experience, Chartered Engineer (CEng) or PE, and a proven record in independent assessments of steel and reinforced concrete structures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering is required.
• Master's Degree in Structural Engineering or related field is highly preferred.
• Minimum 20 years of professional experience in structural engineering with design and design review experience.
• Extensive experience in steel and reinforced concrete buildings, strong steel structures expertise.
• Minimum 15 years in a consultancy environment preferred.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) and/or PE is required.
• Experience undertaking independent technical/design reviews (CAT-2/CAT-3 or equivalent).
• Strong knowledge of international design codes and standards (SBC, AISC, ASCE, ACI, BS/Eurocodes, IBC, ASTM).
• Strong analytical, report writing, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead independent technical design reviews of complex steel and reinforced concrete building structures.
• Provide expert assessment of advanced steel structural systems and long-span structures.
• Conduct independent technical assessments including self-check calculations for safety and compliance.
• Identify design modifications and provide technical recommendations.
• Review structural calculations, drawings, specifications, and supporting documentation.
• Assess SSI, settlement, lateral soil pressure, and geotechnical-structural interactions.
• Ensure compliance with international standards: SBC, AISC, ASCE, ACI, BS/Eurocodes, IBC, ASTM.
• Prepare design review reports, memoranda, and recommendations.
• Provide technical support to the client during tendering, construction, and value engineering.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to resolve design/interface issues.
• Provide technical leadership on structural engineering matters throughout the project lifecycle.

Skills

Leadership

Technical leadership

Design review

Steel structures

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Civil/Structural Engineering

Master's in Structural Engineering

Tools

Structural analysis

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Lead Structural Engineer – Design Review with a very strong background in steel structures and extensive experience in structural design and independent technical design review. The ideal candidate will have significant experience with complex and advanced structural systems, particularly steel structures, and will be capable of leading high-level design reviews for major building projects.

Location: Abu Dhabi or Dubai, UAE

Key Responsibilities

• Lead independent technical design reviews of complex steel and reinforced concrete building structures.
• Provide expert assessment of advanced steel structural systems, including long-span structures, special and complex connections, composite systems, steel trusses, and atypical structural configurations.
• Conduct independent technical assessments comparable to CAT-2/CAT-3 design reviews, including performing self-check calculations and verifying the safety, stability, and compliance of structural designs.
• Identify and document required design modifications and provide technical recommendations, including certification confirming the design is safe and compliant where required.
• Review structural calculations, drawings, specifications, design assumptions, and supporting technical documentation.
• Assess soil–structure interaction (SSI) assumptions, settlement predictions, lateral soil pressure considerations, and the compatibility between structural and geotechnical design inputs.
• Ensure structural designs comply with applicable international standards, including SBC, AISC, ASCE, ACI, BS/Eurocodes, IBC, and ASTM.
• Prepare detailed design review reports, technical memoranda, correspondence, and technical recommendations.
• Provide technical support to the client during tendering, construction, design development, and value engineering stages.
• Review proposed design changes and value engineering solutions to ensure structural safety, compliance, and constructability.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders to resolve complex structural design and interface issues.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on structural engineering matters throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering is required.
• Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering or a related discipline is highly preferred.
• Minimum 20 years of professional experience in structural engineering, with a strong combination of structural design and design review experience.
• Extensive experience in the design and review of steel and reinforced concrete buildings, with particularly strong expertise in steel structures.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in a consultancy environment is preferred.
• Previous experience in a senior/lead structural engineering position within the last 7 years will be highly advantageous.
• Proven experience undertaking independent technical/design reviews, preferably CAT-2/CAT-3 or equivalent.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng – UK) and/or Professional Engineer (PE – USA) is required.
• Strong knowledge of international structural design codes and standards, including SBC, AISC, ASCE, ACI, BS/Eurocodes, IBC, and ASTM.
• Strong analytical, technical report writing, communication, and stakeholder management skills.