Design Manager

Role overview

Design delivery and coordination

• Lead the design team and establish design scope from architectural drawings, specifications, and contract requirements.
• Oversee shop drawings, fabrication drawings, technical details, and material submittals; review and approve documents before submission.
• Manage technical clarifications, revisions, submissions, and approvals, meeting agreed project schedules.
• Coordinate technical issues with project stakeholders and provide guidance on aluminum systems, curtain walls, doors, windows, skylights, and glass partitions.
• Coordinate with procurement and production to align designs with material availability, fabrication requirements, and technical feasibility.
• Identify design conflicts and risks; assess change impacts on cost, materials, fabrication, and installation schedules.
• Propose value engineering solutions and work with estimation and quantity surveying teams on cost control and variations.
• Monitor multiple projects and maintain records of submissions, approvals, revisions, and open technical issues.
• Support site teams during installation, train and evaluate design staff, and maintain departmental standards, quality procedures, and documentation.

Education and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in the Aluminum & Glass industry.
• Proven design management or senior design/technical office experience, including management of design teams and coordination across project groups.
• Previous UAE construction or facade industry experience is preferred.

Technical skills

• Knowledge of AutoCAD and technical drawing standards.
• Understanding of aluminum and glass systems, facade engineering, curtain walls, structural glazing, windows, doors, skylights, and related systems.
• Ability to review shop and fabrication drawings, material submittals, and technical specifications.
• Knowledge of construction details, building materials, fabrication methods, installation requirements, design coordination, and consultant approvals.
• Microsoft Office proficiency; project planning and scheduling tools are an advantage.

Leadership and performance

• Strong team leadership, planning, organizational, communication, and coordination abilities.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects, and attention to technical accuracy, quality, and deadlines.
• Key performance indicators include timely design submissions and the quality and accuracy of shop drawings.