Principal / Associate Architect – Aviation

WSP in the Middle East; Dammam; On-site; SAR 850,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the Middle East is seeking an experienced Principal / Associate Architect - Aviation to lead design and delivery of major airport projects across the region.

The ideal candidate will have 15+ years of relevant experience, strong aviation design capabilities and a proven background in airport projects, with leadership across landscape, façade, lighting and engineering interfaces.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture is required.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in architectural design with aviation focus.
• Experience in airport passenger terminal buildings, modernisation or expansion is preferred.
• Proven ability to lead architectural and interior design across all stages.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural and interior design across all stages from concept to delivery.
• Provide technical and design leadership for airport modernisation, refurbishment and expansion.
• Represent the architecture discipline in client meetings and design workshops.
• Coordinate with landscape, façade, lighting, MEP and other specialist interfaces.
• Develop terminal layouts that support passenger flows and operations.
• Ensure designs comply with building codes, fire safety, accessibility and aviation standards.
• Lead phasing strategies for live airport environments with minimal disruption.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Coordination across disciplines

BIM coordination

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture

Tools

BIM

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

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