Senior Architectural Permit Engineer

 

Description:

The Senior Architectural Permit Engineer is a full-time, on-site role based in Dubai Emirate, United Arab Emirates. The role involves leading and coordinating all architectural permitting activities, including preparing, reviewing, and submitting drawings, documents, and applications required by local authorities and regulatory bodies. Daily responsibilities include liaising with municipal and governmental agencies, ensuring compliance with building codes and planning regulations, and tracking permit status to meet project timelines. The Senior Architectural Permit Engineer collaborates closely with architectural, civil, MEP, and construction supervision teams to align design documentation with permitting requirements and resolve technical or regulatory issues. The role also includes guiding junior team members, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of permitting procedures, and providing clear reports and documentation to project managers and clients.

 

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Permits and authority approvals

• Plan, prepare and submit architectural building-permit applications to the relevant authorities and follow each one through to approval.

• Manage the full approval path: design and planning approvals, building permit, civil defense (fire and life safety), utility and other NOCs, and completion or occupancy certificates.

• Act as the main point of contact with authorities, clients and consultants; attend review meetings and close out authority comments within the required deadlines.

 

Technical review and coordination:

 

• Review architectural drawings, specifications and reports for compliance with building codes, planning regulations, fire and life safety, accessibility and sustainability requirements.

• Coordinate with structural, MEP, civil and landscape disciplines so that submitted packages are complete and consistent.

• Identify non-compliance early, advise the design team and propose practical design solutions that satisfy the authority.

 

Documentation and reporting:

 

• Maintain the permit tracker, submission register, authority comments log and approval certificates for every project.

• Prepare submission packages, application forms, cover letters and written responses to authority comments.

• Report permit status, risks and expected approval dates to the project manager or director on a regular basis.

 

Leadership and continuous improvement:

 

• Guide and review the work of junior permit engineers, architects and draftsmen.

• Keep up to date with changes in regulations and authority procedures, and develop checklists and standard procedures for the team.

 

Qualifications and Experience:

 

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or Architectural Engineering.

• Senior-level experience in building permits and authority approvals for building projects, preferably in the UAE (exact number of years to be confirmed).

• Proven record of obtaining approvals on a variety of project types and sizes.

• Professional registration with the local engineers' society or equivalent is an advantage.