About the Role: Responsibilities, Skills, and Requirements
Ever wondered what it’s like to leave your mark on the evolving skyline of Abu Dhabi? As our new Senior Design Architect, you’ll do just that — shaping spaces and communities with creativity and technical precision. If you’re passionate about innovative design, fluent in Arabic, and ready to bring your expertise to a collaborative team, this opportunity might be your next big move.
About the Company
We’re a well-established consulting engineering firm located right on Hamdan Street — the beating heart of Abu Dhabi. Our projects range from sleek urban developments to community spaces that feel like home, and we’re proud of our reputation for integrity, thoughtful design, and a bit of friendly competition (our end-of-week design critiques are legendary). While we work hard, we also believe in celebrating our wins and learning together, always striving for that blend of ambition and balance.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading architectural design on a variety of high-profile projects, from concept through to detailed drawings and delivery.
- Coordinating with multidisciplinary teams — engineers, planners, clients — to ensure design intent comes to life exactly (or better than) envisioned.
- Navigating regulatory requirements, especially Abu Dhabi/Al Ain Municipality guidelines, to ensure compliance at every stage.
- Presenting your ideas confidently in both Arabic and English, whether in team meetings, client presentations, or municipal submissions.
- Mentoring junior architects and sharing your technical know-how (and maybe a few industry war stories).
- Reviewing and refining designs, always pushing for solutions that balance beauty, sustainability, and practicality.
What You’ll Bring
Must-Haves
- Fluency in Arabic (spoken and written).
- 5–7 years’ experience with a consulting engineering company, preferably in the UAE.
- Strong working knowledge of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Municipality standards and regulations.
- A portfolio that demonstrates design excellence and technical depth.
- Collaborative spirit and genuine enthusiasm for mentoring and team problem-solving.
Nice-to-Haves
- Proficiency with Revit, AutoCAD, and SketchUp.
- Experience leading client-facing presentations.
- An eye for innovative, sustainable design practices.
Not sure you tick every box? We’d still love to hear from you.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- Competitive compensation and annual performance bonuses.
- Supportive, close-knit team — you’ll never feel like just a number.
- Office in a central, vibrant location (with great local coffee shops for those afternoon pick-me-ups).
- Ongoing professional development — from workshops to conferences, we invest in your growth.
- Flexible working hours and the possibility for hybrid arrangements.
- The satisfaction of seeing your designs become landmarks in a city you know and love.
If you’re looking for a place where your ideas are valued, your expertise is respected, and your impact is visible on the streets of Abu Dhabi, you’ll feel right at home with us.
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 design process from concept to delivery, especially in an urban context similar to Abu Dhabi?
- How have you navigated Abu Dhabi or Al Ain Municipality regulations in your previous roles, and what strategies do you use to ensure compliance while maintaining design integrity?
- Describe your experience working with multidisciplinary teams. How do you approach collaboration with engineers, planners, and clients to ensure alignment on project goals?
- What design tools and software are you most comfortable with, and how have you used Revit, AutoCAD, or SketchUp to streamline your workflow or enhance your presentations?
- Can you share an example of how you incorporated sustainable or innovative design solutions into a built project, balancing environmental goals with client requirements?
- Tell us about a time when you had to present complex architectural ideas to a client or municipal authority in both Arabic and English. How did you tailor your approach for different audiences?
- Describe a situation where you received constructive criticism during a design review. How did you respond, and what changes did you implement as a result?
- When mentoring junior architects, what’s your approach to balancing technical guidance with encouraging creative problem-solving?
- How do you handle conflicting feedback from different stakeholders — for example, when a client’s vision clashes with regulatory requirements or engineering constraints?
- Our team values open design critiques and shared learning. How do you contribute to a culture of constructive feedback and professional growth within your team?
- What motivates you most about seeing your designs realized in the urban fabric of a city like Abu Dhabi?
- How do you stay current with new architectural trends, technologies, or sustainability practices, and how do you integrate them into your work?
- Describe a time you had to adapt quickly to changing project requirements or tight deadlines. What strategies helped you and your team deliver successfully?
- In your view, what makes for a truly collaborative and supportive team environment in architectural consulting?