Construction, architecture and real estate jobs in the UAE

About construction, architecture and real estate jobs

Construction, architecture and real estate jobs cover the design, delivery and management of buildings and infrastructure: civil, structural and MEP engineers, quantity surveyors, architects and interior designers, project managers, site supervisors, real estate brokers and property managers. Major residential, infrastructure, tourism and transport projects make it one of the largest employment sectors in the UAE.

Developers, main contractors, MEP subcontractors, engineering consultancies and project management firms recruit throughout the project cycle, from design and tendering to construction and handover. Dubai and Abu Dhabi account for most of the activity, with large projects also under way in Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and the northern emirates. Real estate agencies, developers' sales teams and property and facilities management companies employ brokers, leasing consultants and property managers.

Employers expect experience on comparable projects, familiarity with local authority approvals and international contracts such as FIDIC, and good command of tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, Primavera P6 or estimating software. Arabic is an advantage for authority liaison but rarely required.

Main roles

• Civil, structural and site engineer
• MEP engineer: mechanical, electrical, plumbing and HVAC
• Quantity surveyor, cost manager and estimator
• Architect, interior designer and BIM specialist
• Construction project manager and planner
• Real estate broker, leasing consultant and property manager

Sectors that are hiring in the UAE

• Real estate developers
• Main contractors and MEP subcontractors
• Engineering and design consultancies
• Infrastructure and transport projects
• Real estate agencies and property management
• Facilities management

Qualifications

Engineering and architecture roles require a recognised degree, which usually needs to be attested, and some positions require registration with the relevant municipality or authority. Professional memberships such as RICS for surveyors and PMP for project managers are valued. In Dubai, real estate brokers must be registered with the Dubai Land Department (RERA).