Senior Associate Architect - Building Design

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Dubai; On-site; AED 246,000 - 357,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM Middle East Ltd in Dubai seeks a Senior Associate Architect - Building Design to lead architectural development from concept through delivery, with BIM leadership and cross-disciplinary coordination.

You will ensure compliant, high-quality designs aligned with UAE regulations, manage stakeholders, mentor junior staff, and drive design quality across complex residential and commercial projects.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of professional architectural design experience.
• Experience leading design across commercial and residential projects.
• Proven BIM leadership with Revit and CAD proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural concepts and design development for complex buildings.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to resolve interfaces.
• Prepare drawings, specifications, schedules and BIM documentation.
• Direct modelling and documentation in Revit; coordinate CAD as needed.
• Assess sites and feasibility to identify design constraints.
• Present proposals to clients and stakeholders clearly.
• Ensure designs comply with UAE codes and sustainability requirements.
• Coordinate with structural, MEP, and other disciplines.
• Review packages for accuracy and coordination.
• Monitor milestones, deliverables and budgets; support programme goals.
• Provide guidance to junior architects and design staff.
• Promote BIM coordination and documentation standards.
• Evaluate new architectural technologies to improve performance.

Skills

Architectural design

Revit BIM

AutoCAD

Architectural drawings

Commercial & residential

Spatial planning

Building systems coordination

UAE building codes

International standards

Technical documentation

QA & review

Site feasibility

Multidisciplinary coordination

Constructability

Sustainability design

Client presentations

Project scheduling

Mentoring

Job description

Senior Associate Architect - Building Design

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Architecture and Planning

Function: Architect

Experience: Minimum 8 years

Job Type: Full-time

Position Overview

Senior Associate Architect - Building Design in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a senior Architecture and Planning opportunity for an accomplished architect experienced in commercial and residential building projects. AECOM is hiring a design professional who can lead architectural development from early concepts through coordinated delivery, combine BIM expertise with strong technical judgment, and guide multidisciplinary teams toward practical, compliant and high-quality building solutions. The position offers significant involvement in complex projects where architectural vision must align with constructability, sustainability, UAE regulations, client expectations and commercial objectives.

Job Details

• Country: United Arab Emirates
• City: Dubai
• Industry: Architecture and Planning
• Function: Architect
• Salary: 22000-32000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
• Gender: Any
• Candidate Nationality: Any
• Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

This role provides senior architectural leadership across the design lifecycle of building developments in Dubai. The Senior Associate Architect will shape concepts, coordinate technical design, review architectural outputs and help resolve interfaces between architecture, engineering and construction disciplines. Beyond producing strong designs, the position carries responsibility for maintaining delivery quality, supporting project schedules and budgets, mentoring developing architects and ensuring that proposed solutions can progress successfully from design intent into technically coordinated and buildable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead architectural concepts and design development for commercial, residential and other building projects from inception through completion.
• Translate client requirements, site conditions and project objectives into coherent architectural solutions.
• Prepare and oversee drawings, specifications, schedules and technical documentation using BIM-based design workflows.
• Direct architectural modelling and documentation in Revit and coordinate CAD information where required.
• Undertake site assessments and feasibility reviews to identify planning, design and development constraints.
• Present design proposals clearly to clients, project stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.
• Check architectural designs against UAE building codes, relevant international standards and applicable sustainability requirements.
• Coordinate closely with structural, MEP and other engineering disciplines to resolve design interfaces before they affect delivery.
• Work with contractors, consultants and specialist teams to address technical and constructability challenges.
• Review architectural packages for accuracy, coordination, consistency and overall design quality.
• Monitor design milestones, deliverables, resources and project priorities while supporting budget and programme objectives.
• Provide direction and constructive technical feedback to junior architects and design team members.
• Encourage effective BIM coordination and consistent documentation standards throughout the project lifecycle.
• Evaluate emerging architectural technologies, materials and design practices that can improve project performance.

Ideal Profile

The position suits an architect with at least eight years of professional architectural design experience, including substantial exposure to buildings and commercial developments. Candidates should also bring a minimum of three years in a senior, lead or comparable architectural capacity. A strong grasp of spatial planning, building systems, construction documentation and regulatory compliance is essential. The successful professional will be comfortable moving between creative design discussions and detailed technical coordination while maintaining control over quality, deadlines and stakeholder expectations. Experience working within multidisciplinary design environments is particularly valuable, as the role requires regular interaction with engineers, consultants, contractors, clients and developing architectural staff.

Skills Set

• Architectural concept and design development
• Revit and advanced BIM workflows
• AutoCAD
• Architectural drawings and specifications
• Commercial and residential building design
• Spatial planning
• Building systems coordination
• UAE building codes and regulatory requirements
• International construction and design standards
• Technical documentation
• Design quality assurance and review
• Site assessment and feasibility studies
• Multidisciplinary design coordination
• Constructability review
• Sustainability-focused design
• Client presentations and design communication
• Project programme and deliverables management
• Architectural team mentoring

Why Join Us

Dubai continues to generate demand for sophisticated architectural, engineering and urban development expertise as major building and infrastructure programmes reshape the city. This position provides an opportunity to contribute at senior level while working across technically demanding projects and multidisciplinary design environments. The role also offers scope to deepen BIM expertise, strengthen architectural leadership capabilities and participate in projects where design quality, sustainability and long-term asset performance carry substantial importance. A hybrid work model and access to an international network of engineering and design professionals further support long-term professional development.

About the Company

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting and professional services organization delivering planning, design, engineering, environmental, programme and construction management expertise. Its multidisciplinary teams work with public and private sector clients across buildings, transportation, water, energy and environmental projects, creating resilient and sustainable solutions throughout the project lifecycle.