Senior Design Architect - Rail

Woods Bagot Pty Ltd.; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Woods Bagot Pty Ltd. seeks an experienced senior rail architect to lead design across the Middle East, shaping stations as civic destinations and elevating rail architecture beyond traditional delivery.

You will guide major rail, metro, TOD, and airport projects, mentoring teams and collaborating with clients to achieve exceptional design outcomes in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary studio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
• Post-graduate studies in architecture preferred.
• Registered Architect.
• 10+ years in architectural design, with Middle East experience preferred.
• Experience leading rail stations and major transport interchanges.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative rail design concepts that elevate quality.
• Lead design from concept to delivery for transit projects.
• Present to clients and manage project stakeholders.
• Coordinate teams and manage scope within fees.
• Mentor teams and promote design-review culture.

Skills

Rail architecture

Leadership

Client presentations

Rhino

Revit

InDesign

Sketching

Team management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture

Post-graduate studies in architecture

Registered Architect

Tools

Rhino

Revit

InDesign

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

About Woods Bagot – Architecture for Worlds Ahead

We design places that meet the challenges and opportunities of our rapidly changing world. Our commitment to exploration, impact and community creates enduring, forward‑thinking outcomes, unlocking humanity’s highest potential. With a global design culture devoted to creativity, resilience, and purpose – we ensure every project contributes to our client’s vision, inspiring future generations.

Woods Bagot is part of the 7C Network. The 7C Network is an integrated network of design and architecture companies that provides “Total Place Design,” a holistic approach to creating transformative environments. It combines capabilities from its constituent brands – including Woods Bagot, ERA-co, Impact Futures, and Customs Bureau – to offer services in placemaking, sustainability, architecture and interior design, and luxury concepts.

About the Role

Woods Bagot is seeking a senior design-led rail architect to help grow our transport and mobility sector across the Middle East. This is not a traditional infrastructure role. We are looking for someone who sees stations as civic destinations, understands the relationship between transport and place, and can elevate rail architecture beyond engineering-led delivery.

The successful candidate will help shape major rail, metro, high-speed rail, transit-oriented development (TOD), airport and mobility projects across the region while contributing to the wider design culture of the studio.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop creative, innovative solutions that elevate the practice’s design quality.
• Lead project design from concept development through delivery.
• Deliver projects with professionalism and expertise.
• Lead client presentations confidently and build strong relationships with project stakeholders.
• Coordinate project teams and manage their work within the agreed fee.
• Create high-quality, imaginative concepts for medium- and large-scale projects.
• Identify and mitigate project risks in accordance with Woods Bagot’s management systems.
• Raise project teams’ knowledge and capability through professional leadership and mentoring.
• Promote a continuous design-review culture, welcome external critique, and share knowledge with others.
• Travel to other Woods Bagot studios as required to support global business needs.

About You

You are an experienced and confident design leader with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, able to build strong relationships with both internal and external clients and work effectively as part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team. You are comfortable operating in fast-paced environments, remaining composed under pressure and navigating demanding client expectations while maintaining a high standard of design and delivery. Naturally inquisitive and solutions-focused, you bring strong problem-solving abilities and a collaborative approach to overcoming complex project challenges. You are fluent in both written and spoken English and confident communicating with stakeholders at all levels.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Architecture
• Post-graduate studies in architecture is preferred
• Registered Architect
• Experience taking projects from vision through delivery
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience of architectural design (of these years, ideally 2 years within the Middle East)
• Skilled hand sketcher with the ability to convey ideas clearly and efficiently
• Demonstrated work experience within international Architectural firms
• Led the design of rail stations, metro networks, high-speed rail projects or major transport interchanges Demonstrated experience of leading the design of large high-profile projects
• Experience in leading large teams interfacing with LDC’s, Contractors and head Client
• Intermediate to advanced skills within Rhino and Revit software
• Advanced Adobe Suite skills, particularly Indesign

7C - Total Place Design Network

7C is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status. At 7C, we are committed to creating an environment where difference is celebrated, valued and respected, practices are equitable, and our people feel like they belong. We accept that none of us is smarter than all of us. We believe building a diverse workforce is the foundation to creativity and innovative design – it is only by working together that we can realise the potential of our people, clients and communities around us. Through our inclusive leadership and our truly global studio network, you will find your voice and have the support and flexibility required to bring your whole self to work and build an exceptional career.