About the Role: Responsibilities, Skills, and Requirements
Ever thought about how the skylines around us actually come to life? As the new Head of Engineering Design at our growing firm, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping Dubai’s next generation of spaces and structures—where innovation meets practical brilliance. If you’re passionate about leading talented teams, elevating design quality, and leaving a tangible mark on the city’s built environment, this could be your moment. Our projects matter, and so will your leadership.
About Us
We’re a close-knit engineering consultancy specializing in high-profile precast concrete developments with a distinctive presence in Dubai. You’ll find our team collaborating on everything from boundary-pushing residential estates to smart commercial infrastructure—always swapping ideas, sharing expertise, and celebrating our wins (big and small) together. We’re not a faceless corporation; Friday lunches, spontaneous design jams, and a seriously collaborative spirit are part of what makes us tick. Growth is real here, both for our company and for every individual on the team.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Steering and mentoring a team of skilled design engineers—guiding their growth and ensuring design vision stays consistent.
- Overseeing concept, structural, and precast detailing, ensuring every output resounds with precision (and pride).
- Reviewing design documentation for compliance with both international building codes and local Dubai Municipality standards.
- Liaising directly with clients, architects, and contractors to clarify project needs and ensure seamless delivery.
- Championing best practices in AutoCAD, Revit, and design software—sometimes even rolling up your sleeves for hands-on drawing reviews.
- Implementing efficient workflow processes that bring out the team’s best, from deadlines to detail checks.
- Encouraging a creative, solution-focused environment (where every challenge is a chance to innovate).
What You’ll Bring
Must-Haves
- 2–5 years’ proven experience as Head (or Lead) of a Design Department, ideally within an engineering or precast context.
- Advanced skillset in structural design, precast concrete detailing, and use of AutoCAD, Revit, and related engineering software.
- Deep familiarity with international building codes as well as Dubai Municipality regulatory requirements.
- Strong leadership—think mentorship, conflict navigation, and an instinct for nurturing talent.
- Clear, confident communication skills (especially when bridging technical and non-technical worlds).
Nice-to-Haves
- Track record delivering landmark projects in the GCC or a similar fast-paced market.
- Specialized training or certifications in structural engineering or precast technologies.
- A bit of humor and a knack for rallying teams through project crunches.
Not sure you tick every box? We’d still love to hear from you.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- Competitive compensation (and bonuses for project success)
- Flexible work policy: office-based culture with real leeway for remote days
- Professional support: access to continued learning, certifications, and industry events
- Team lunches, monthly outings, and a real sense of camaraderie—in and out of the project room
- Direct impact: Your work and leadership aren’t just valued, they’re visible in Dubai’s cityscape
We know that great design takes a special kind of team, and we never forget to celebrate the people behind the plans. Here, your leadership will help us build more than structures—it’ll shape careers and futures.
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.
- Can you walk us through a recent project where you led the structural and precast detailing process, especially in a fast-paced environment like Dubai?
- What’s your approach to mentoring junior design engineers and nurturing their technical and creative growth?
- How do you ensure design outputs comply with both international building codes and the specific requirements of Dubai Municipality?
- Tell us about a time you resolved a technical conflict between architects, clients, or contractors. What steps did you take to reach a solution?
- How do you implement and monitor efficient workflow processes to keep your team on track with deadlines and quality checks?
- What are some ways you encourage innovative thinking and solution-finding during challenging design phases?
- Describe your experience using AutoCAD and Revit for hands-on reviews. How do you balance leadership responsibilities with staying hands-on in the design process?
- How do you handle feedback and differing opinions within your team, especially under tight project deadlines?
- What motivates you to lead teams in high-profile or landmark projects, and how do you keep that motivation alive for your teammates?
- Can you share how you’ve promoted best practices in the use of design software across multidisciplinary teams?
- When joining a collaborative, close-knit team culture like ours, how would you build rapport and mutual trust?
- In moments of high pressure or project crunches, what do you do to keep your team motivated and focused?
- Tell us about a time you had to bridge a communication gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders. How did you ensure everyone’s needs were addressed?
- How do you like to celebrate project wins (big or small) with your colleagues?