
RMJM
Technical Design Director – Technical Advisory
- Permanent
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 15 - 20 yrs
- Urgent
Job expiry date: 03/12/2025
Job overview
Date posted
19/10/2025
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Salary
AED 60,000 - 100,000 per month
Compensation
Comprehensive package + relocation
Experience
15 - 20 yrs
Seniority
Director
Qualification
Professional qualification
Expiration date
03/12/2025
Job description
RMJM seeks a Technical Design Director – Technical Advisory (Site-Based, Landmark Project) to support the Abu Dhabi Studio, acting as the lead technical liaison between the design team, contractors, and client representatives on a landmark project, ensuring adherence to approved drawings and specifications and resolving construction-related design conflicts in real time without compromising design integrity. The role oversees shop drawings, material submittals, and RFIs to ensure compliance with design intent and project requirements; conducts regular site inspections to verify workmanship, materials, and systems meet technical and quality standards; and ensures construction activities comply with local regulations, international codes, and sustainability targets such as LEED and BREEAM. Responsibilities include leading defects prevention and resolution, reviewing constructability, advising on construction methodologies, sequencing, and logistics, collaborating on value engineering while maintaining design excellence, and assessing temporary works, structural interfaces, and MEP coordination to mitigate risks. The position identifies and escalates critical technical risks (e.g., structural, façade, waterproofing) that could impact schedule or budget; prepares daily/weekly technical reports documenting progress, issues, and resolutions; and supports testing and commissioning to ensure systems perform as designed. The role requires in-depth knowledge of construction techniques, BIM coordination, and modern delivery methods (design-build, fast-track), familiarity with local building codes, permits, and inspection processes, and proficiency in BIM/Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, and construction management software. Working conditions are site-based in Abu Dhabi, full-time, Monday to Saturday, on a large-scale, landmark project (high-rise, mixed-use, or cultural developments preferred).
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Act as the lead technical liaison between the design team, contractors, and client representatives, ensuring adherence to approved drawings and specifications.
- Resolve construction-related design conflicts in real time, providing practical solutions without compromising design integrity.
- Oversee shop drawings, material submittals, and RFIs, ensuring compliance with design intent and project requirements.
- Conduct regular site inspections to verify workmanship, materials, and systems meet technical and quality standards.
- Ensure all construction activities comply with local regulations, international codes, and sustainability targets such as LEED and BREEAM.
- Lead defects prevention and resolution and coordinate with contractors to implement corrective actions.
- Review and advise on construction methodologies, sequencing, and logistics to optimize efficiency and safety.
- Collaborate with contractors to identify value engineering opportunities while maintaining design excellence.
- Assess temporary works, structural interfaces, and MEP coordination to mitigate risks.
- Identify and escalate critical technical risks (including structural, façade, and waterproofing) that could impact schedule or budget.
- Prepare daily and weekly technical reports for project leadership, documenting progress, issues, and resolutions.
- Support the testing and commissioning process to ensure systems perform as designed.
Experience & skills
- Chartered Engineer/Architect (PE, RIBA, AIA, or equivalent) preferred.
- Minimum 15+ years in technical design and construction supervision with experience on large-scale, landmark projects (high-rise, mixed-use, or cultural developments preferred).
- Strong background in on-site problem-solving with expertise in façade systems, structural interfaces, MEP coordination, and waterproofing.
- In-depth knowledge of construction techniques, BIM coordination, and modern delivery methods such as design-build and fast-track.
- Familiarity with local building codes, permits, and inspection processes.
- Proficiency in BIM/Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, and construction management software.
- On-site based in Abu Dhabi, full-time, Monday to Saturday.