Senior Highway Design Engineer

AECOM; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM in Dubai is seeking a Senior Highway Design Engineer to lead geometric and detailed design of major highway infrastructure projects, mentor junior staff and engage with clients.

The role requires 8–12 years' highway design experience, strong UAE project background, and familiarity with RTA and local standards. This on-site position offers opportunities to shape transportation networks across the UAE.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering required.
• 8–12 years of highway design experience, UAE experience preferred.
• Experience with RTA infrastructure projects is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of highway geometric design, corridors and interchanges.

Responsibilities

• Lead the geometric and detailed design of major highway projects.
• Provide engineering leadership and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Review calculations, drawings, reports and specifications.
• Mentor junior engineers and support client engagements.
• Lead design reviews, risk assessments and value engineering.
• Ensure compliance with local standards (RTA/Dubai Municipality) and technical excellence.
• Support construction with RFIs, NCRs and design revisions.

Skills

Highway geometry design

Corridor modelling

Junction & interchange design

Value Engineering

Design management

Client relationship management

BIM collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Bentley OpenRoads Designer

Civil 3D

MicroStation

AutoCAD

ProjectWise

Bluebeam

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Corridor modelling

Company Description

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.

Work with Us. Change the World.

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.

Job Description

The Senior Highway Design Engineer leads the technical delivery of highway design packages across all project stages, providing engineering leadership, multidisciplinary coordination, mentoring of junior staff, and direct client engagement. The role is responsible for ensuring high-quality design solutions that satisfy client requirements while maintaining programme, budget, and technical excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead the geometric and detailed design of major highway infrastructure projects.
• Develop innovative engineering solutions for complex transportation challenges.
• Review and approve highway design calculations, drawings, reports, and specifications.
• Lead design reviews, interdisciplinary coordination, and technical workshops.
• Resolve complex engineering issues throughout project delivery.
• Lead Value Engineering studies and design optimisation exercises.
• Ensure compliance with RTA, Dubai Municipality, AASHTO and international design standards.
• Review temporary traffic management and construction staging proposals.
• Provide technical support during construction including RFIs, NCRs, design revisions and engineering assessments.

Project Management Support

• Plan and manage assigned design packages.
• Monitor project schedules and resource allocation.
• Coordinate internal and external design interfaces.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation measures.
• Support project managers in commercial and programme reporting.

Client Management

• Act as technical point of contact for clients.
• Attend client meetings and technical presentations.
• Respond to authority review comments.
• Support authority approvals and stakeholder coordination.

People Leadership

• Mentor Highway Design Engineers and Graduate Engineers.
• Review junior engineers' work prior to submission.
• Support technical development and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to staff performance reviews and development planning.

Quality and Governance

• Ensure compliance with AECOM Quality Management System.
• Lead independent design checks.
• Promote continuous improvement and best practices.
• Ensure lessons learned are incorporated into future projects.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering.

Master's degree is desirable.

Experience

• 8–12 years of highway design experience.
• Extensive experience delivering major highway projects.
• Strong UAE experience.
• Experience with RTA infrastructure projects is highly desirable.

Additional Information

Technical Expertise

• Highway geometric design
• Junction and interchange design
• Corridor modelling
• Earthworks optimisation
• Road safety engineering
• Utility coordination
• Construction staging
• Design management
• Value Engineering
• Design risk management

Experience with BIM collaboration environments is highly desirable.

Software Proficiency

• Bentley OpenRoads Designer
• Civil 3D
• MicroStation
• AutoCAD
• ProjectWise
• Bluebeam
• Microsoft Office

Knowledge

• RTA Road Design Manual
• Dubai Municipality standards
• AASHTO
• Local authority approval processes
• Highway BIM standards
• Construction methodologies
• Design management principles

Leadership Competencies

• Technical leadership
• Client relationship management
• Decision making
• Mentoring and coaching
• Communication and presentation
• Commercial awareness
• Risk management
• Stakeholder engagement

Key Performance Indicators

• Technical quality of deliverables
• Project programme performance
• Budget performance
• Client satisfaction
• Successful authority approvals
• Team development and mentoring
• Design innovation
• Quality compliance
• Resource utilization

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.

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.

ReqID: J10156501

Business Line: Transportation

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: ME and Africa

Career Area: Engineering

Work Location Model: On-Site