Principal​/Associate Architect – Aviation

WSP in the Middle East is currently seeking an experienced Principal / Associate Architect – Aviation to join our team and support the design and delivery of major airport projects across the region.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience, with strong aviation design capabilities and a proven background in airport projects. The role requires the ability to lead architectural and interior design delivery, with a strong understanding of airport planning, terminal design and operational requirements, while providing coordinated oversight across landscape, façade, lighting, engineering, and other specialist design interfaces.

• Lead architectural and interior design across all stages, from concept through detailed design and delivery.

• Provide technical and design leadership for airport modernisation, refurbishment and expansion programmes.

• Represent the architecture discipline in client meetings, design workshops, technical reviews and submissions.

• Make discipline-level design decisions and respond proactively to multidisciplinary coordination requirements.

• Coordinate with lead architects, interior designers, landscape, façade and specialist design teams, including lighting.

• Develop terminal layouts that support efficient passenger flows, operational requirements and appropriate levels of service.

• Integrate local cultural considerations, placemaking and way finding principles to enhance regional identity and passenger experience.

• Ensure designs comply with applicable building codes, fire and life safety requirements, accessibility standards and relevant aviation requirements.

• Develop design and phasing strategies for works within live operational airport environments, with a focus on minimising disruption to passengers and airport operations.

• Review architectural drawings, specifications and design deliverables for quality, durability, constructability and suitability for high-traffic airport environments.

• Coordinate architectural interfaces with structural, MEP, ICT, landscape, façade and specialist airport systems.

• Provide architectural oversight across interior design and specialist design interfaces, ensuring an integrated design approach.

• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to resolve design and coordination issues throughout project delivery.

• Provide technical guidance, design reviews and mentoring to architectural team members.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture.

• Minimum 15 years of experience in architectural design.

• Minimum 5 years of architectural design experience within airport or aviation projects.

• Proven experience in the planning and design of airport passenger terminal buildings, preferably including modernisation, refurbishment or expansion of operational terminals.

• Strong understanding of passenger flows, terminal processes and airport planning principles.

• Experience in interior design, material specification and placemaking within high-traffic public environments.

• Experience coordinating landscape, façade, lighting, interior design and other specialist design interfaces.

• Proficiency in BIM-based architectural design and multidisciplinary coordination.

• Demonstrable experience delivering design within live operational airport environments, including phased implementation.

• Familiarity with relevant international aviation requirements and airport design standards.

• Strong stakeholder management, presentation and communication skills.

• Experience working across multidisciplinary architectural and engineering teams.

• Experience of culturally responsive design within the GCC/Middle East would be advantageous.

• Proactive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to manage multiple architectural and specialist design interfaces.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.