Senior Design Manager (Airfield + Infrastructure)

Parsons Corporation

What You'll Be Doing:

1. Technical Delivery Leadership
Lead and manage the technical design delivery of all airside and airfield infrastructure works, ensuring alignment with IDDP objectives and operational requirements.
Develop and maintain technical delivery strategies, design criteria, and performance standards.
Coordinate with Program Director and Deputy Program Director to align design activities with overall program objectives.
Ensure design deliverables meet quality, schedule, and budget targets.

2. Design Management & Coordination
Coordinate multi-disciplinary design activities across apron, taxiways, aircraft stands, and related systems.
Lead design review workshops to assess technical completeness, constructability, and compliance with standards.
Ensure designs are optimized for performance, maintainability, life-cycle efficiency, and sustainability.
Manage design consultants and specialist sub-consultants to deliver high-quality design outputs.

3. Technical Compliance & Standards
Ensure all designs comply with ICAO standards, local building codes, ESTIDAMA requirements, and airport operational standards.
Review and approve technical specifications, design criteria, and engineering documentation.
Monitor design deliverables to ensure compliance with project standards, quality benchmarks, and regulatory requirements.
Coordinate with regulatory authorities and obtain necessary design approvals and permits.

4. Interface & Systems Integration
Lead coordination and resolution of interface issues across airside and airfield infrastructure and adjacent systems.
Ensure seamless integration between all technical disciplines and specialist systems.
Coordinate with other Senior Design Managers to resolve cross-discipline interfaces and dependencies.
Facilitate technical coordination meetings to address integration challenges and maintain project alignment.

5. BIM & Digital Design Coordination
Oversee BIM implementation and digital design coordination for all design packages.
Ensure effective use of BIM 360, Navisworks, and other digital platforms for clash detection and coordination.
Lead federated model reviews and coordinate resolution of design conflicts.
Promote digital engineering practices and innovation in design delivery.

6. Risk Management & Value Engineering
Lead identification and mitigation of design-related risks that may impact cost, schedule, or performance.
Facilitate value engineering and design optimization workshops to enhance project value.
Promote innovative design solutions that improve efficiency, sustainability, and constructability.
Maintain design risk register and implement mitigation strategies.

7. Scheduling & Progress Oversight
Monitor design deliverables and ensure alignment with overall project schedule and milestone targets.
Coordinate with Program Controls Manager to track progress, identify deviations, and implement corrective actions.
Ensure timely completion of design submissions to support procurement and construction schedules.
Report design progress and performance metrics to program leadership.

8. Stakeholder Coordination & Technical Approvals
Liaise with Abu Dhabi Airports, design consultants, regulatory authorities, and other key stakeholders.
Facilitate collaboration among project teams to resolve technical challenges and maintain alignment.
Prepare and present technical reports, design review outcomes, and decision papers to senior management.
Secure necessary technical approvals and client sign-offs for design deliverables.

9. Constructability & Design for Manufacture
Lead constructability reviews to ensure designs are practical, buildable, and optimized for construction.
Promote Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) principles to enhance construction efficiency.
Coordinate with construction teams and contractors during Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase.
Ensure design solutions support efficient construction sequencing and logistics.

10. Leadership, Mentorship & Continuous Improvement
Mentor design engineers, technical staff, and support teams, fostering technical excellence and collaborative teamwork.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and knowledge sharing across design disciplines.
Capture and document lessons learned to inform future project phases and enhance organizational capability.
Support professional development and capability building within the design team.