Digital Design Lead (Structural) - Dubai
HDR · United Arab Emirates-Dubai ·
- Seniority
- Lead
- Category
- Design
- Experience
- 8+ years
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves\: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story\:' https\://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
In the role of Digital Design Lead (Structural), you will operate at an advanced specialist level, providing technical leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for structural digital delivery across projects. You will elevate discipline performance, ensure alignment with project and organizational standards, and guide teams in delivering high-quality BIM outcomes.
Responsibilities
- Lead the structural digital design function on projects, providing expert guidance and oversight to Digital Design staff while coordinating closely with Architects, Structural Engineers, and other technical leaders.
- Take ownership of the structural discipline model strategy, ensuring delivery aligns with the Level of Development (LOD), Digital Delivery Plan (DDP), and overall project objectives.
- Oversee the creation, management, and quality of BIM elements for structural systems, ensuring accuracy, constructability, and compliance with project standards and digital delivery requirements.
- Establish and maintain discipline-specific modeling methodologies, content libraries, workflows, and best practices to drive consistency and efficiency across projects.
- Provide technical leadership in the use of 3D modeling and BIM tools, supporting team capability development and resolving complex modeling, coordination, and structural integration challenges.
- Direct and review the production of detailed drawings, layouts, structural details, reinforcement documentation, and design deliverables to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with scope, schedule, and budget.
- Ensure the integrity of structural models, including project data, coordinates, shared positioning, scales, orientations, scope boundaries, and documentation structure.
- Lead model quality assurance processes, including audits, clash detection reviews, model health assessments, and constructability reviews, implementing corrective actions where required.
- Drive interdisciplinary coordination through structured Design Reviews and 3D Coordination processes, proactively identifying and resolving conflicts between structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, and other project disciplines.
- Act as the primary point of contact for structural digital delivery, collaborating with project leadership to align digital outputs with engineering intent and design requirements.
- Champion continuous improvement of digital delivery standards, tools, workflows, and BIM execution practices across the organization.
- Support and implement advanced Digital Delivery initiatives, including automation, reality capture integration, digital twins, data management strategies, and innovation in BIM processes.
- Mentor and support junior and mid-level digital design staff, fostering technical growth, quality awareness, and adherence to best practices.
- Ensure all structural digital outputs meet internal quality standards, client expectations, and project requirements.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Engineering Technology, Architecture, Construction Technology, or a related technical field, or a minimum of 8–10 years of progressive industry experience, including leadership responsibilities.
- Advanced proficiency in 3D design and BIM software, with extensive experience modeling and coordinating structural systems within a digital delivery environment.
- Strong understanding of digital delivery ecosystems, BIM standards, and document/data management infrastructure.
- Demonstrated expertise with 3D coordination and model review tools, including leading coordination workflows and resolving complex multidisciplinary design and construction issues.
- Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite and collaboration platforms, with the ability to support reporting, analysis, and team coordination.
- Proven leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence multidisciplinary teams and guide decision-making.
- Advanced understanding of structural engineering principles, building systems, construction methodologies, and design documentation, with the ability to interpret engineering intent and translate it into high-quality digital outputs.
- Experience developing and coordinating structural models for concrete, steel, timber, and other structural systems.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational capability, and ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining model quality and project standards.
- Experience leading BIM delivery for large-scale building, industrial, transportation, water, or infrastructure projects is preferred.
- Familiarity with industry standards, BIM execution planning, digital delivery best practices, and emerging technologies within the AEC industry.
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