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.

• 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.