Arada | Senior Architect, Riyadh

Arada; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Arada is seeking a Senior Architect in Riyadh to act as the in-house architectural expert on major developments. You will guide design across the full lifecycle from concept through IFC to construction, ensuring alignment with Arada’s design intent, quality and brand standards in a fast-paced developer-led environment.

You will collaborate with international consultants, drive innovative, sustainable design solutions, and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality outcomes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from a recognised university; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Professional registration / architectural licensing – e.g., Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) registration, RIBA, AIA or equivalent – is preferred.
• Proficiency in BIM (Revit) and architectural software.
• Minimum 10 years of professional architectural experience within an international design consultancy, developer, or leading architectural practice.
• Proven experience delivering complex architectural projects across residential, mixed-use, hospitality, retail, commercial, cultural, or master planning sectors.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating excellence in concept design, architectural storytelling, visualization, and design development.
• Experience working on large-scale developments within the Middle East is preferred, with Saudi Arabia experience highly advantageous.
• Experience collaborating with international consultants and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong understanding of architectural design principles, building systems, sustainability, and construction methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of innovative architectural concepts across residential, mixed-use, hospitality, retail, cultural, and master-planned communities.
• Shape project vision through compelling design narratives, spatial planning, and creative architectural solutions.
• Collaborate with leading international and regional consultants to deliver high-quality design outcomes.
• Drive design excellence by integrating innovation, sustainability, emerging technologies, BIM, and AI-driven design tools.
• Develop projects from concept through detailed design, IFC documentation, and construction support while maintaining design intent.
• Coordinate closely with multidisciplinary teams including Structural, MEP, Landscape, Interior Design, and Infrastructure specialists.
• Review and guide consultant submissions to ensure quality, functionality, constructability, and alignment with project objectives.
• Balance aesthetics, user experience, commercial objectives, budget, and delivery requirements throughout the design process.
• Support design reviews, workshops, technical presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Ensure compliance with Saudi Building Code, authority requirements, sustainability standards, and international best practices.
• Contribute to BIM-led design coordination, clash detection, and digital project delivery processes.
• Provide architectural support during tendering and construction stages, reviewing RFIs, shop drawings, materials, and technical submissions.
• Champion design quality and help deliver landmark developments that set new benchmarks across Saudi Arabia.
• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

Skills

Architectural design

BIM / Revit

Design coordination

Stakeholder management

Team collaboration

Detailing

Technical documentation

Presentation skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Architecture

Master's Degree preferred

Professional registration (SCE / RIBA / AIA) preferred

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Navisworks

Job description

About us

At Arada, we create communities that inspire healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. Through innovative developments, exceptional customer experiences and a commitment to sustainability, we are shaping places where people can live, work and thrive.

Joining Arada means becoming part of a collaborative, ambitious and forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering excellence across every aspect of our business.

Role Purpose:

The Senior Architect will act as ARADA’s in-house architectural expertise on assigned projects, developing and coordinating architectural design across the full project lifecycle – from concept design through detailed design and authority approvals to construction completion. Working on the client side, the role safeguards ARADA’s design intent, quality and brand standards while ensuring that solutions are well coordinated, compliant, buildable and commercially viable.

The successful candidate will combine sound architectural and technical ability with commercial awareness and a practical understanding of delivering complex projects within a fast-paced, developer-led environment, working closely with internal teams and external consultants.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of innovative architectural concepts across residential, mixed-use, hospitality, retail, cultural, and master-planned communities.

• Shape project vision through compelling design narratives, spatial planning, and creative architectural solutions.

• Collaborate with leading international and regional consultants to deliver high-quality design outcomes.

• Drive design excellence by integrating innovation, sustainability, emerging technologies, BIM, and AI-driven design tools.

• Develop projects from concept through detailed design, IFC documentation, and construction support while maintaining design intent.

• Coordinate closely with multidisciplinary teams including Structural, MEP, Landscape, Interior Design, and Infrastructure specialists.

• Review and guide consultant submissions to ensure quality, functionality, constructability, and alignment with project objectives.

• Balance aesthetics, user experience, commercial objectives, budget, and delivery requirements throughout the design process.

• Support design reviews, workshops, technical presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities.

• Ensure compliance with Saudi Building Code, authority requirements, sustainability standards, and international best practices.

• Contribute to BIM-led design coordination, clash detection, and digital project delivery processes.

• Provide architectural support during tendering and construction stages, reviewing RFIs, shop drawings, materials, and technical submissions.

• Champion design quality and help deliver landmark developments that set new benchmarks across Saudi Arabia.

• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong architectural and technical knowledge, including detailing and building systems.

• Design coordination across architecture, engineering, infrastructure, landscape and interiors.

• Attention to detail and a quality-focused mindset.

• Communication and presentation skills, including design storytelling.

• Stakeholder management across internal teams, consultants and authorities.

• Problem-solving and sound, timely decision-making.

• Time management across multiple deliverables and deadlines.

• Team collaboration within multidisciplinary, developer-led teams.

• Report writing and clear technical documentation.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from a recognised university; Master’s Degree preferred.

• Professional registration / architectural licensing – e.g., Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) registration, RIBA, AIA or equivalent – is preferred.

• Proficiency in BIM (Revit) and architectural software.

• Minimum 10 years of professional architectural experience within an international design consultancy, developer, or leading architectural practice.

• Proven experience delivering complex architectural projects across residential, mixed-use, hospitality, retail, commercial, cultural, or master planning sectors.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating excellence in concept design, architectural storytelling, visualization, and design development.

• Experience working on large-scale developments within the Middle East is preferred, with Saudi Arabia experience highly advantageous.

• Experience collaborating with international consultants and multidisciplinary project teams.

• Strong understanding of architectural design principles, building systems, sustainability, and construction methodologies.

Using GenAI in Your Application Process

To support a fair and consistent experience for all candidates, we ask that assessments and interviews are completed independently and without assistance from generative AI tools. This ensures we understand your strengths, your thinking, and how you approach real situations.

Why join Arada?

At Arada, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that transform communities while working alongside talented professionals in a culture that values innovation, collaboration and continuous growth. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Arada is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and make employment decisions based on merit, experience and business needs.