Lead Architect (PMC), Metro (Bid Opportunity)

Systra; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

SYSTRA in Riyadh seeks a Lead Architect to oversee architectural design and coordination for a major metro project within the PMC scope, focusing on station architecture and passenger environments.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in transportation architecture, proven leadership in design reviews, and strong collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. GCC and KSA experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience in architectural design, review and delivery.
• Experience on major metro, rail, or transportation infrastructure projects with focus on station architecture.
• Prior experience in a PMC, supervision consultant, client-side, or major multidisciplinary consultancy environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural review and coordination activities for metro station projects within the PMC scope.
• Review architectural designs, drawings, specifications, reports, and material submissions for compliance with project requirements and standards.
• Oversee coordination with structural, civil, MEP, urban design, and specialist systems teams for integrated delivery.
• Monitor design development and construction progress related to architectural works across stations and assets.
• Support client and PMC leadership in architectural decision-making and technical reviews.
• Review contractor submissions, shop drawings, method statements, and samples related to architectural works.
• Identify design issues and risks and support timely resolution.
• Participate in design review workshops, meetings and coordination sessions.
• Conduct site inspections to ensure compliance with approved designs and timelines.
• Support RFIs, NCRs, change requests, and technical queries related to architectural scope.
• Contribute to progress reporting, technical assessments and client-facing PMC deliverables.
• Promote high standards of design quality, functionality and passenger experience across station architecture.

Skills

Architectural design review

Multidisciplinary coordination

Stakeholder management

Construction-stage support

Site inspections

Technical leadership

Passenger experience design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture

Job description

SYSTRA is one of the world's leading engineering and consultancy groups specialising in public transport and sustainable mobility. With over 10,300 employees, SYSTRA's mission is to design safe and sustainable transport solutions to bring people together, develop social inclusion and facilitate access to employment, education and leisure throughout the world.

For 65 years, the Group has been working alongside cities and regions to contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their infrastructure and transport systems, throughout the life cycle of their projects. SYSTRA is involved from the earliest stages of design through to the testing, deployment and maintenance phases. The company provides all its services in over 80 countries worldwide and generates 74% of its turnover internationally. With its new services, SYSTRA supports its clients and partners in their digital, ecological and energy transition, in order to invent the mobility of tomorrow.

Context

We are seeking a Lead Architect to join our team for a major metro project, with a particular focus on station architecture. The ideal candidate will bring strong design review, multidisciplinary coordination, and project delivery experience within complex transportation environments, and will play a key role in overseeing architectural aspects of the project from design through construction.

This opportunity is part of a bid submission and is therefore subject to project award and client approval.

Missions/Main Duties

The Lead Architect will be responsible for leading the architectural review and coordination function across the PMC scope for metro stations and associated facilities. The role requires oversight of architectural design quality, technical compliance, interface coordination, and construction-stage support to ensure delivery aligns with the project objectives, applicable standards, and client expectations.

• Lead the architectural review and coordination activities for metro station projects within the PMC scope.
• Review architectural designs, drawings, specifications, reports, and material submissions for compliance with project requirements and applicable standards.
• Oversee architectural coordination with structural, civil, MEP, urban design, and specialist systems teams to ensure integrated project delivery.
• Monitor design development and construction progress related to architectural works across stations and associated assets.
• Support the client and PMC leadership team in architectural decision-making, technical reviews, and design quality assurance.
• Review contractor and consultant submissions, shop drawings, method statements, mock-ups, and material samples related to architectural works.
• Identify design issues, coordination clashes, technical risks, and constructability concerns, and support timely resolution.
• Participate in design review workshops, technical meetings, and stakeholder coordination sessions.
• Conduct site inspections and monitor architectural works to ensure compliance with approved designs, specifications, quality expectations, and project timelines.
• Support the management of RFIs, NCRs, change requests, and technical queries related to architectural scope.
• Contribute to progress reporting, technical assessments, and client-facing PMC deliverables.
• Promote high standards of design quality, functionality, passenger experience, and operational suitability across station architecture.

Profile/Skills

The successful candidate will be a technically strong and design-focused architect with the ability to lead architectural review and coordination on complex metro station projects. They should be capable of maintaining design quality while supporting practical and efficient project delivery within a PMC environment. Candidates with experience in high-profile or iconic developments will be viewed favorably.

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in architectural design, review, and delivery.
• Proven experience on major metro, rail, or transportation infrastructure projects, with a strong focus on station architecture.
• Prior experience in a PMC, supervision consultant, client-side, or major multidisciplinary consultancy environment is preferred.
• Strong experience in architectural design review, technical coordination, and construction-stage support.
• Experience working on iconic buildings will be preferred.
• Strong understanding of materials, finishes, passenger environments, and architectural detailing for complex public-facing infrastructure.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and manage interfaces across design and construction stages.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• GCC experience is mandatory.
• KSA experience is preferred.
• Familiarity with relevant international standards and regional authority requirements is an advantage.

Systra is an equal opportunities company; this position is open to all applicants.

Workplace Type

On-site