Senior Transportation Director - Design (CDU11) 20005210

Job Summary

The Senior Director, Design, leads and manages all design activities for the development, expansion, and enhancement of two metro rail systems. This role ensures the delivery of innovative, safe, sustainable, and cost-effective design solutions across all disciplines not limited to (civil, architectural, systems, rolling stock, and MEP), aligning with city values, project objectives, regulatory standards, and long-term operational needs.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

•Define the overall design strategy for metro infrastructure and systems to support project delivery and long-term operational efficiency.

•Oversee multidisciplinary design teams, including internal staff, external consultants, and contractors.

•Ensure integration of design with planning, construction, and operational requirements.

•Champion innovation, digital engineering (BIM), and sustainability in design processes.

Design Management

•Lead concept, and detailed design stages for all metro; stations, depots, tunnels, tracks, power supply, signaling, communication systems, and rolling stock.

•Establish and maintain design standards, technical specifications, and quality assurance frameworks.

•Review and approve major design deliverables, ensuring compliance with safety, regulatory, and operational standards.

•Manage design interfaces between different engineering disciplines and external stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement

•Collaborate with government agencies, transport authorities, urban planners, and utility providers to ensure design alignment.

•Present design proposals to executive leadership and external committees for approval.

•Engage with environmental and community groups to incorporate social and sustainability considerations.

Risk, Cost & Schedule Control

•Identify and mitigate design-related risks affecting cost, schedule, and safety.

•Ensure design solutions are value-engineered and optimized for lifecycle costs.

•Support procurement strategies, providing technical input for tendering and contractor selection.

Team Leadership

•Lead and mentor a high-performing team of design managers and engineers.

•Foster a culture of collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

•Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Transportation Engineering, or related field.

•15+ years of progressive experience in rail/metro infrastructure design and delivery.

•Proven track record of leading complex, multidisciplinary design projects for urban transit systems.

•Strong knowledge of international design standards (e.g., EN, AREMA, NFPA).

•Familiarity with BIM, digital twin technologies, and sustainable design practices.

•Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Key Competencies

•Strategic thinking and decision-making

•Strong technical expertise in rail and metro system design

•Excellent project and resource management abilities

•Effective collaboration across disciplines and organizations •Commitment to safety, quality, and environmental stewardship