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Senior Architect

About the Company

OMA is an international architecture and urbanism practice founded in 1975, with offices in Rotterdam, New York, Hong Kong, Brisbane and Abu Dhabi. OMA employs more than 200 architects, designers and researchers and has delivered a broad portfolio of projects worldwide. AMO, its research and design studio, often works alongside OMA’s architectural projects. 

About the Role

OMA’s Abu Dhabi office is looking for a Senior Architect to join the site supervision team for a high-end project in Abu Dhabi. You will support OMA’s appointed Site Supervision Lead in fulfilling OMA’s obligations during the construction stage. The role requires strong technical expertise, extensive site-based experience and sound judgement in resolving coordination matters while escalating material changes affecting the design intent to the design lead team. This is a site-based position in Abu Dhabi for the duration of the appointment.

Responsibilities

  • Review architectural shop drawings, coordination drawings, materials, product data, samples, mock-ups and method statements for compliance with the design intent, specifications and coordination requirements.
  • Respond promptly to RFIs and clarification requests, prepare supplementary details and minor coordination revisions, and assess proposed material substitutions for design and technical equivalence.
  • Distinguish between matters that can be resolved by the site supervision team and material design changes requiring escalation to the design lead team.
  • Package escalated matters clearly, identifying response deadlines and the consequences of delay, and flag unresolved risks before deadlines lapse.
  • Maintain clear written records of reviews, decisions, escalations and the design-intent boundaries applied.
  • Inspect architectural works, hold points, samples and mock-ups, with particular attention to finishes, tolerances, workmanship, materials and system integration.
  • Identify deviations from approved documentation at an early stage and ensure they are recorded and tracked through to resolution.
  • Immediately escalate matters affecting compliance, safety, durability or regulatory approval.
  • Represent OMA in technical coordination meetings, design workshops and authority interactions.
  • Contribute to progress and quality reporting, including photographic records, and support snagging, review of as-built and operation and maintenance documentation, and defect rectification during the Defects Notification Period.
  • Support the preparation and coordination of design lead team site visits and workshops.

Required

  • Degree in Architecture from an accredited institution, with professional registration or license, or eligibility to register in the UAE or another GCC country.
  • A minimum of 8–10 years’ post-qualification experience, including at least five years in a site-based construction supervision, site architect or delivery architect role on large-scale, architecturally complex projects in the GCC.
  • Demonstrated experience reviewing architectural shop drawings and technical submittals, particularly for façade, envelope and interior fit-out packages.
  • Sound judgement in distinguishing between matters that can be resolved locally and those requiring reference to the design lead team, with the confidence to decide and the discipline to escalate when warranted.
  • Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy.
  • A demonstrable ability to identify problems early and respond to queries promptly rather than allowing them to accumulate.
  • Strong technical writing skills for formal site records, review comments and reports.
  • Proficiency in Revit, Navisworks and AutoCAD, and in document control platforms such as Aconex, Procore or BIM 360.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.
  • Willingness to be based on site for the duration of the appointment.
  • The following experience would be considered an advantage:
  • Previous involvement in delivering a project designed by an internationally recognized design practice.
  • Experience with cultural, mixed-use or similarly complex building typologies.
  • Familiarity with FIDIC or equivalent international contract forms.
  • Experience mentoring or directing junior architects, resident engineers and/or inspectors.

What We Offer

  • Full-time, site-based employment in Abu Dhabi.
  • A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and 22 vacation days per year in addition to Abu Dhabi public holidays.
  • Career development opportunities within a globally recognized international architecture practice.

Application Process

Please submit the following via our online form:

  • A cover letter explaining your motivation for working at OMA.
  • Your CV/resume.
  • A portfolio in PDF format (maximum 30 pages) demonstrating relevant design, technical delivery and site supervision experience.

 

Applications without a portfolio will not be considered. Applications containing only QR codes or website links will not be reviewed.