The Senior Engineering Manager is responsible for managing the design of all airport systems, building services, and infrastructure utilities for various development and expansion projects outlined in the airport’s master plan. This role ensures alignment with aviation business continuity, operational requirements, and organizational objectives while maintaining compliance with industry standards.

Responsibilities

Project Engineering & Design Oversight:

• Apply comprehensive knowledge of engineering design in Mechanical, Plumbing, Public Health, Fire Protection, Fire Alarm, Building Management Systems, VESDA, gas suppression, and infrastructure utilities.
• Interpret and ensure compliance with relevant standards, codes, and regulations (e.g., BS, BSEN, IEC/IEE, ASHRAE, ANSI, SMACNA, AMCA, ASTM, ASME, NFPA, NPC, LPC, DIN, UAE local authorities).
• Integrate sustainability principles into designs, contributing to certifications like LEED or ESTIDAMA.
• Understand and manage operational aspects of airport systems (e.g., PBB, GPU, PCA, BHS).
• Develop detailed scopes of work for consultants or contractors and execute in-house design & build projects (DBR, BOQ, GFC preparation).
• Design, coordinate, and interface airport systems (HVAC, Fire, Plumbing, Electrical, ELV, Lighting, Drainage, BHS, PBB, PCA, GPU, Scanners, AGL) with other engineering disciplines (ARCH, CIVIL, STRUCTURE).

Collaboration & Reporting:

• Collaborate with Contracts & Procurement, Project Controls, and Finance to ensure timely, on-budget, high-quality project execution.
• Prepare and submit management reports on budgets, schedules, change claims, disputes, and safety.
• Ensure adherence to technical aspects of projects in line with contracts, specifications, drawings, and BOQ.
• Provide guidance, managerial and technical support to project teams.
• Demonstrate commercial awareness in change control administration.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to resolve design-related issues.
• Prepare and present dashboard reports to senior management highlighting project status, risks, and mitigations.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement in the design department.

Compliance with Codes, Authorities, and Stakeholders:

• Ensure design processes comply with company policies, Design Management Plan, and guidelines.
• Manage consultants to maintain schedule, budget, and project expectations.
• Monitor consultants’ deliverables, perform QA audits, and ensure quality standards.
• Maintain design intent and performance criteria during design and construction, emphasizing value engineering and constructability.
• Ensure system designs integrate with existing systems to minimize spare parts, reduce OPEX, guarantee warranties, and standardize assets.

Sustainability & Emerging Technologies:

• Implement sustainability initiatives complying with national/international credit programs (ESTIDAMA, LEED, IGBC).
• Identify sustainable design solutions (solar power, recycled water reuse, energy-efficient fixtures).
Stay updated with emerging trends and implement innovative solutions to enhance project outcomes.

Requirements & Skills

Education & Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Plumbing Engineering from an accredited university (full-time) or equivalent.
• Certification in project management processes and knowledge of national and international codes/standards.

Experience:

• Airport Systems/ BHS experience required.
• Minimum 8+ years of relevant airport/aviation experience, including 5+ years in a managerial role performing design & engineering tasks.
• Experience in client/engineering consultancy roles designing and supervising airport services (infrastructure, utilities, building services).
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in UAE/GCC airports (greenfield or brownfield).
• Ability to interpret internal airport stakeholder requirements and apply to design.
• Experience with engineering software: AutoCAD, Navisworks, Revit (basic).
• Added advantage: experience in Facilities Management.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong understanding of engineering principles with lateral thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Commercial awareness and attention to detail in decision-making.
• Expert user of MS Office, BIM, and AutoCAD.