About the Role: Responsibilities, Skills, and Requirements
Introduction
Ever looked at a beautifully crafted architectural model and wondered about the journey from digital file to physical masterpiece? That’s exactly where you come in. We’re on the hunt for an experienced Architect/Project Manager to join our growing team in Business Bay, Dubai, and take the reins on our physical model-making projects. This isn’t a typical desk-bound architecture role — it’s a unique hybrid position where your technical eye meets hands-on project leadership, guiding intricate models from the initial editing stage all the way through production and final handover. If you’ve got a passion for precision and a knack for keeping complex timelines on track, this could be your next great move.
About the Company
We’re a specialized studio tucked right in the heart of Business Bay, and we do one thing exceptionally well: we turn architectural visions into tangible, gallery-worthy physical models. Our team is a tight-knit blend of creative problem-solvers and meticulous craftspeople who genuinely geek out over scale, materiality, and the perfect laser-cut finish. We work with some of the region’s most prominent developers and design firms, which means no two weeks look the same. The vibe here is collaborative and focused — we take our work seriously, but we also know when to step back, grab a coffee, and reset. Growth is real, opportunities are plenty, and your fingerprints will literally be on some of the most iconic projects shaping the UAE skyline.
What You’ll Be Doing (Responsibilities)
- Own the full project lifecycle — from the moment a digital model lands on your desk to the final quality check before it ships out the door. You’ll be the bridge between the client’s vision and our production floor.
- Lead the editing phase with a sharp eye for detail — reviewing 3D files, identifying potential production issues, and coordinating with our digital team to optimize models for fabrication.
- Coordinate production schedules like a pro, juggling multiple projects with different deadlines without breaking a sweat. You’ll be the calm in the storm when timelines tighten.
- Liaise directly with clients — you’ll be their main point of contact, updating them on progress, managing expectations, and handling any design tweaks or revisions that pop up along the way.
- Troubleshoot on the fly — whether it’s a material shortage, a technical glitch, or a last-minute design change, you’ll keep things moving and communicate clearly with both the team and the client.
- Ensure top-tier quality control at every stage — because “good enough” isn’t a phrase we use here. You’ll inspect work against the brief and make sure every handover is flawless.
What You’ll Bring (Qualifications)
Must-Haves:
- A degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related field — you’ve got the technical foundation to speak the language fluently.
- 3–5+ years of experience in project management, ideally within architectural model-making, fabrication, or a closely related production environment.
- Solid proficiency with 3D modeling software (Rhino, SketchUp, or similar) — you’re comfortable navigating files and spotting potential issues before they become costly mistakes.
- Strong organizational chops and a proven ability to manage multiple priorities without letting anything slip through the cracks.
- Excellent communication skills — you can talk to a client, a CNC operator, and a designer in the same hour and make everyone feel heard and understood.
Nice-to-Haves:
- Experience with laser cutting, CNC milling, or 3D printing workflows.
- Familiarity with materials like acrylic, wood, and resin — and how they behave at different scales.
- A background in luxury real estate or large-scale masterplan projects.
Not sure you tick every box? We’d still love to hear from you. If you’ve got the drive and a willingness to learn, we’re happy to explore whether you’re the right fit.
Why You’ll Love Working Here (Benefits & Perks)
- Prime Business Bay location — easy commute, surrounded by great cafés, and right in the middle of the action.
- A genuinely collaborative culture — you’ll work alongside people who care about craft and support each other’s growth.
- Real ownership and impact — this isn’t a role where you’re just another cog. You’ll have autonomy to make decisions and shape how projects come together.
- Competitive salary and benefits — because great work deserves great reward.
- Opportunities to grow with us — as our client base expands, so do the pathways for advancement within the studio.
At the end of the day, we’re looking for someone who takes pride in delivering something tangible — a physical object that represents months of someone’s design vision. If that sounds like you, we’d love to chat.
Common Interview Questions and Tips
To help you prepare and feel confident, here are some questions you might encounter during the interview process for this role.
Walk me through how you’d handle a situation where a client requests a significant design revision halfway through the production phase. What’s your immediate process, and how do you communicate the impact on timeline and cost?
Can you describe a time when you had to coordinate multiple projects with tight, overlapping deadlines? How did you prioritize, and what tools or systems did you rely on to keep everything on track?
When you receive a 3D model file for a new project, what’s your workflow for reviewing it before it goes to fabrication? What specific issues are you looking for, and how do you decide when to push back on the design team versus adapting it yourself?
Tell me about a project where something went wrong on the production floor — maybe a material shortage, a machine malfunction, or a quality issue. How did you troubleshoot it in the moment, and what did you do to prevent it from happening again?
How comfortable are you with Rhino or SketchUp when it comes to editing and optimizing models for fabrication? Can you give an example of a file you had to modify to make it production-ready, and what changes you made?
Describe a time when you had to deliver difficult news to a client — a delay, a budget overrun, or a technical limitation. How did you frame the conversation, and what did you do to maintain their trust?
What’s your experience with materials like acrylic, wood, or resin in a model-making context? How do you account for material behavior at different scales when planning a project?
Give me an example of a time you had to coordinate between a designer, a CNC operator, and a client simultaneously. How did you ensure everyone was aligned, and what did you do when their priorities conflicted?
What does “quality control” mean to you in the context of architectural model-making? Walk me through your personal checklist for a final handover before a model ships out.
Tell me about a time