Senior Architectural Designer

We’re recruiting a Senior Architectural Designer for a multidisciplinary design studio in Dubai. This is an opportunity to join a small, entrepreneurial team working across commercial, mixed-use, hospitality and residential projects, with a growth path towards design management and studio leadership. Our client takes an unconventional, concept-led approach, working across ideation, partnerships, funding, design and delivery.

The role suits someone who combines strong creative thinking with technical rigour and enjoys taking ownership in a collaborative environment. Reporting to the Architectural Design Manager / Design Director, you’ll develop projects from concept through to construction documentation, coordinate with specialist consultants and support delivery on site.

Key Responsibilities

Develop concept and schematic designs that translate client briefs into coherent, buildable architectural proposals. Contribute to feasibility studies, competitions and early-stage ideation, including visuals and design narratives. Progress projects through developed and detailed design, protecting design intent while supporting value engineering.

Contribute to façade strategy and detailing alongside specialist consultants and contractors. Prepare and present design packages to clients and stakeholders. Manage your design tasks, programmes and deliverables against agreed milestones. Support resource planning and fee/budget performance. Coordinate with in-house colleagues and remote partners, delegate tasks and mentor junior designers.

Act as a day-to-day design contact for clients and consultants, escalating risks and changes. Coordinate structural, MEP, landscape, interiors, fire, façade and sustainability inputs. Produce and review technical drawings, specifications and construction documentation. Support compliance with applicable UAE regulations and authority requirements, including authority submissions.

Work within project BIM Execution Plans and Common Data Environments, maintaining model quality, drawing standards and Revit workflows. Review contractor submittals, shop drawings and mock-ups, respond to RFIs and attend site visits. Contribute to bids, proposals, studio standards, knowledge sharing and workflow improvements.

Help develop the studio’s own products, partnerships and future expansion. This is a full-time, on-site position in Dubai, with site visits as required.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Architecture or equivalent. At least five years’ professional architectural experience. A strong portfolio demonstrating creativity, conceptual design ability and compatibility with a concept-led studio. A strong understanding of the region. Experience across concept, schematic and detailed design through to construction documentation.

Proficiency in Revit and a sound understanding of BIM workflows. Experience coordinating multidisciplinary consultants. Strong presentation and communication skills, including the ability to explain and defend design decisions. Confidence working directly with clients and stakeholders. Fluent English. An entrepreneurial, collaborative approach and comfort working in a small, fast-moving team with overlapping responsibilities.

Desirable Large-scale commercial, mixed-use, hospitality or luxury residential project experience. Façade design and coordination experience. Familiarity with GCC authority approvals and local codes. Working knowledge of Rhino/Grasshopper, Enscape/Twinmotion and SketchUp. Experience collaborating with remote teams or partners.

UAE professional registration or equivalence, or willingness to pursue it Benefits Starting salary of AED 24,000 per month, subject to confirmation. Visa. Medical insurance. Annual flight allowance. Standard end-of-service benefits. Further benefits linked to personal and studio goals. A growth path towards Design Manager or studio leadership as the studio expands.