Senior Design Manager - Utilities

AECOM Corporation; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director - Utilities to lead the management and technical review of design on a major stormwater infrastructure programme in Abu Dhabi. You will oversee design consultants, ensure coordination, compliance and buildability, and align progress with programme and budget.

You will lead design across disciplines, review hydrological modelling, and manage approvals and NOC processes while mentoring a team of engineers to deliver high-quality, safety-focused designs for a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources or related discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
• Chartered status (CEng, MICE, CIWEM or equivalent) or an equivalent professional registration is preferred.
• 20+ years of experience in stormwater, drainage or water infrastructure design or design management, with 5+ years in the UAE or GCC.
• Proven experience managing or reviewing design on large infrastructure programmes, ideally in a PMC or client-side role.
• Strong knowledge of stormwater design and flood management, and familiarity with modelling tools such as InfoWorks ICM, MIKE, HEC-RAS or SWMM.
• Working knowledge of the design approval processes and standards used in Abu Dhabi.
• Good understanding of design coordination, BIM processes and the Common Data Environment.
• Familiarity with FIDIC contracts and how design affects cost and programme.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design management across the programme, from concept through to detailed design, tender and construction support.
• Manage the design consultants’ performance against the design programme, scope and quality requirements.
• Review design submissions for stormwater drainage networks, culverts, outfalls, pumping stations, attenuation and retention structures, and stormwater tunnels where applicable.
• Review hydrological and hydraulic modelling, flood risk assessments and climate resilience approaches, and challenge assumptions where needed.
• Coordinate design across disciplines (civil, structures, geotechnical, MEP, electrical and control systems), and provide consolidated comments and recommendations to the client.
• Run the design interface process with utilities, roads, other packages and third parties, and resolve clashes and open design issues.
• Make sure designs comply with the client’s requirements, the applicable standards and the requirements of the relevant Abu Dhabi authorities and utility providers.
• Manage the design approvals and no objection certificate (NOC) process, and track submissions through to approval.
• Lead constructability, value engineering and risk reviews, and assess the cost and programme impact of design changes.
• Manage the design change control process, and support the commercial team in assessing design-related variations and claims.
• Support the tender stage by reviewing tender design packages and answering technical clarifications.
• Prepare design progress reports and present them to the client, steering committees and senior stakeholders.
• Lead and mentor a team of design managers and engineers, and promote good design quality and safety in design.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Stormwater design

Design coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related

Master’s degree preferred

Chartered status or equivalent

Tools

InfoWorks ICM

MIKE

HEC-RAS

SWMM

Job description

• Legal Entity: AECOM MIDDLE EAST LIMITED ABU DHABI
• Business Line: Transportation
• Work Location Model: On-Site
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: AE - Abu Dhabi, UAE - Site - Interna

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM is seeking a Associate Director - Utilities to lead the management and technical review of design on a major stormwater infrastructure programme in Abu Dhabi. As part of the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) team acting on behalf of the client, you will oversee the design consultants and make sure designs are coordinated, compliant and fit for construction. You will also keep design progress aligned with the programme and budget

• Lead design management across the programme, from concept through to detailed design, tender and construction support.
• Manage the design consultants’ performance against the design programme, scope and quality requirements.
• Review design submissions for stormwater drainage networks, culverts, outfalls, pumping stations, attenuation and retention structures, and stormwater tunnels where applicable.
• Review hydrological and hydraulic modelling, flood risk assessments and climate resilience approaches, and challenge assumptions where needed.
• Coordinate design across disciplines (civil, structures, geotechnical, MEP, electrical and control systems), and provide consolidated comments and recommendations to the client.
• Run the design interface process with utilities, roads, other packages and third parties, and resolve clashes and open design issues.
• Make sure designs comply with the client’s requirements, the applicable standards and the requirements of the relevant Abu Dhabi authorities and utility providers.
• Manage the design approvals and no objection certificate (NOC) process, and track submissions through to approval.
• Lead constructability, value engineering and risk reviews, and assess the cost and programme impact of design changes.
• Manage the design change control process, and support the commercial team in assessing design-related variations and claims.
• Support the tender stage by reviewing tender design packages and answering technical clarifications.
• Prepare design progress reports and present them to the client, steering committees and senior stakeholders.
• Lead and mentor a team of design managers and engineers, and promote good design quality and safety in design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources or a related discipline. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Chartered status (CEng, MICE, CIWEM or equivalent) or an equivalent professional registration is preferred.
• 20+ years of experience in stormwater, drainage or water infrastructure design or design management, with 5+ years in the UAE or GCC.
• Proven experience managing or reviewing design on large infrastructure programmes, ideally in a PMC or client-side role.
• Strong knowledge of stormwater design and flood management, and familiarity with modelling tools such as InfoWorks ICM, MIKE, HEC-RAS or SWMM.
• Working knowledge of the design approval processes and standards used in Abu Dhabi.
• Good understanding of design coordination, BIM processes and the Common Data Environment.
• Familiarity with FIDIC contracts and how design affects cost and programme.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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