Job Description

Head of Structural Engineering – Dubai, UAE 

Industry: Architectural Structures / Advanced Composites / Engineering
Location: Dubai

Head of Structural Engineering …

Are you an accomplished Structural Engineering leader with a passion for innovation, advanced materials, and delivering world-class engineering solutions?
Our client is seeking a highly experienced Head of Structural Engineering to lead a talented engineering department working on cutting-edge architectural and composite-based structural projects across the UAE and beyond.

This is a rare opportunity to influence design, materials, simulation, and R&D at a senior level within a rapidly expanding organisation.

The Role

As the Head of Structural Engineering, you will steer the full structural engineering function — leading a skilled team, overseeing methodologies, and ensuring technical excellence across all projects.

You will:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary structural engineering team

• Provide structural solutions supporting tendering and new business opportunities

• Oversee engineering design, ensuring compliance with global codes and standards

• Approve structural calculations, FEA/FEM analyses, reports and design packages

• Drive best-practice design methodologies and improved workflows

• Collaborate closely with project managers, design leaders, QA and production

• Guide junior/mid-level engineers through technical challenges and career growth

• Conduct feasibility studies, risk assessments and structural optimisation work

• Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously

• Support R&D activities, new materials evaluation and innovation initiatives

• Influence organisational direction through technical leadership and strategic input

Technical Expertise Required

You will bring deep experience in structural analysis and advanced materials, including:

• Structural design using composites, metals, and hybrid materials

• Strong command of classical hand calculations and design spreadsheets

• Approval and oversight of FEM/FEA work

• Experience delivering large and complex structural engineering projects

• Advanced simulation and structural analysis tools, including:

  • MSC Nastran

  • MSC Apex

  • MSC Patran

  • Ansys

  • Idea Statica

Bonus skills (not essential but highly desirable):

• AutoCAD

• Rhino

• CATIA

• Automation of design checks, analysis processes, modelling, documentation, or project reporting

Who We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s Degree in Structural or Mechanical Engineering (Master’s preferred)

• 10+ years’ structural engineering experience

• 5+ years in a leadership/management role

• Chartered Engineer / PE licence (required)

• Strong team leadership and people-development capability

• Ability to manage conflict, drive change, and introduce new engineering approaches

• Excellent customer-facing communication skills

• Strong business awareness and experience supporting new business opportunities

Why This Role?

• Shape the structural engineering strategy of a high-growth organisation

• Lead exciting projects across architecture, composites, and engineered structures

• Work with world-leading simulation tools and advanced materials

• Influence innovation, design direction, and R&D investment

• Excellent long-term career progression within the UAE market