Principal / Associate Architect – Aviation

WSP USA; Dammam; On-site; SAR 420,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the Middle East seeks a Principal/Associate Architect – Aviation to lead design and delivery of major airport projects across the region. The role emphasizes leadership across architectural and interior design, terminal planning, and coordinating with landscape, façade, lighting, and engineering teams.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in architectural design with 5+ years in airport projects, strong stakeholder skills, and a track record delivering in live airport environments and

Qualifications

• 15+ years of architectural design experience.
• 5+ years of architectural design experience within airport/aviation projects.
• Strong understanding of terminal planning, passenger flows and airport requirements.
• Experience delivering design in live airport environments and coordinating multidisciplinary interfaces.
• Proven leadership in design reviews, coordination meetings and client presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural and interior design across all stages from concept to delivery.
• Provide design leadership for airport modernisation, refurbishment and expansion programmes.
• Represent the architecture discipline in client meetings and design workshops.
• Coordinate with landscape, façade, lighting, engineering and other design interfaces.
• Develop terminal layouts supporting passenger flows and operational requirements.
• Ensure compliance with building codes, life safety and aviation requirements.
• Mentor architectural team members and provide technical guidance.

Skills

Architectural leadership

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Coordination across disciplines

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture

Tools

BIM

Job description

WSP in the Middle East is currently seeking an experienced Principal / Associate Architect – Aviation to join our team and support the design and delivery of major airport projects across the region.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience, with strong aviation design capabilities and a proven background in airport projects. The role requires the ability to lead architectural and interior design delivery, with a strong understanding of airport planning, terminal design and operational requirements, while providing coordinated oversight across landscape, façade, lighting, engineering, and other specialist design interfaces.

• Lead architectural and interior design across all stages, from concept through detailed design and delivery.




• Provide technical and design leadership for airport modernisation, refurbishment and expansion programmes.




• Represent the architecture discipline in client meetings, design workshops, technical reviews and submissions.




• Make discipline-level design decisions and respond proactively to multidisciplinary coordination requirements.




• Coordinate with lead architects, interior designers, landscape, façade and specialist design teams, including lighting.




• Develop terminal layouts that support efficient passenger flows, operational requirements and appropriate levels of service.




• Integrate local cultural considerations, placemaking and wayfinding principles to enhance regional identity and passenger experience.




• Ensure designs comply with applicable building codes, fire and life safety requirements, accessibility standards and relevant aviation requirements.




• Develop design and phasing strategies for works within live operational airport environments, with a focus on minimising disruption to passengers and airport operations.




• Review architectural drawings, specifications and design deliverables for quality, durability, constructability and suitability for high-traffic airport environments.




• Coordinate architectural interfaces with structural, MEP, ICT, landscape, façade and specialist airport systems.




• Provide architectural oversight across interior design and specialist design interfaces, ensuring an integrated design approach.




• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to resolve design and coordination issues throughout project delivery.




• Provide technical guidance, design reviews and mentoring to architectural team members.




• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture.




• Minimum 15 years of experience in architectural design.




• Minimum 5 years of architectural design experience within airport or aviation projects.




• Proven experience in the planning and design of airport passenger terminal buildings, preferably including modernisation, refurbishment or expansion of operational terminals.




• Strong understanding of passenger flows, terminal processes and airport planning principles.




• Experience in interior design, material specification and placemaking within high-traffic public environments.




• Experience coordinating landscape, façade, lighting, interior design and other specialist design interfaces.




• Proficiency in BIM-based architectural design and multidisciplinary coordination.




• Demonstrable experience delivering design within live operational airport environments, including phased implementation.




• Familiarity with relevant international aviation requirements and airport design standards.




• Strong stakeholder management, presentation and communication skills.




• Experience working across multidisciplinary architectural and engineering teams.




• Experience of culturally responsive design within the GCC/Middle East would be advantageous.




• Proactive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to manage multiple architectural and specialist design interfaces.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.