Senior Roads Design Engineer

Role Overview

Senior Roads Design Engineer at Nova International General Contracting. Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Company Overview

Nova International General Contracting is a UAE-based general contracting and construction company specialized in executing branded residences. The organization is committed to delivering excellence, quality, innovation, and client satisfaction, with ambitions to grow as a trusted partner and deliver landmark developments that shape the future of the UAE's built environment.

Role Purpose

Review and verify all road design deliverables produced by the appointed design consultant for a large-scale, phased residential Design & Build development on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Ensure all submitted road designs meet project requirements, Abu Dhabi Department of Transport standards, and applicable codes of practice before approval for construction.

Key Responsibilities

Roads Design Review & Verification

• Review all road design submissions from the appointed consultant including drawings, calculations, specifications, and reports.
• Verify road design solutions comply with Abu Dhabi Department of Transport standards, applicable UAE codes, and project-specific requirements.
• Assess horizontal and vertical road geometry, sight lines, superelevation, and alignment for technical adequacy and authority compliance.
• Review intersection and junction designs, roundabout layouts, turning radii, and traffic management provisions.
• Evaluate pavement design reports, material specifications, and subgrade treatment recommendations.
• Review road cross-sections, kerb details, footpath and cycle track provisions, and road furniture layouts.
• Check signage, road marking, and wayfinding designs for compliance with Department of Transport standards.
• Identify design deficiencies or non-conformances and prepare formal technical review comments for consultant response and close-out.
• Maintain a road design submission register and track review cycles, comment status, and approval milestones.

Authority & Compliance

• Ensure road design submissions are aligned with Department of Transport requirements, Department of Municipalities planning conditions, TASAREEH permit requirements, and Miral/Yas Island-specific road standards.
• Provide technical input to support Department of Transport NOC applications and authority review processes for road infrastructure.
• Stay current with Abu Dhabi road design manuals, geometric design standards, and Yas Island development requirements.

Construction Support

• Review and comment on road construction shop drawings, contractor submittals, pavement mix designs, and method statements.
• Support resolution of technical queries and design clarifications related to road works during construction.
• Conduct periodic site visits to verify road construction is executed in accordance with approved designs and specifications.

Coordination & Reporting

• Coordinate with the Drainage Design Engineer to ensure road and drainage designs are fully integrated and clash-free.
• Liaise with the Infrastructure Lead Engineer and NOC team on road-related authority submissions and approvals.
• Attend design review meetings and technical workshops with the consultant and project team.
• Prepare and maintain design review logs, technical comment registers, and submission tracking reports.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (BSc or BEng) from an accredited university — mandatory.
• Master's Degree in Transportation Engineering, Highway Engineering, or Civil Engineering — advantageous.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with ICE, ASCE, or equivalent — preferred but not mandatory.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in road design engineering with a strong UAE track record.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing road design packages on large-scale residential or master development projects in Abu Dhabi.
• Strong working knowledge of Department of Transport Abu Dhabi Road Design Manual and geometric design standards — essential.
• Prior experience on Yas Island projects or with Yas Island/Miral authority requirements — highly advantageous.
• Experience in Design & Build projects covering both pre-construction design review and construction phase support.
• Familiarity with drainage design principles sufficient for design integration and coordination purposes.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Civil 3D — mandatory for road design review and mark-up.
• Ability to interpret and assess road geometry, pavement design reports, and traffic engineering outputs.
• Familiarity with traffic modelling software outputs (VISSIM, SIDRA, or equivalent) — advantageous.
• Knowledge of Department of Transport Abu Dhabi Road Design Manual and relevant UAE design standards.
• Working knowledge of document control and project management systems.
• Road Design Technical Expertise (UAE Standards).
• Design Review & Quality Assurance.
• Department of Transport & Abu Dhabi Regulatory Compliance.
• Pavement & Geometric Design Assessment.
• Coordination with Drainage & Infrastructure Disciplines.
• Attention to Detail & Critical Thinking.
• Communication & Reporting.

Additional Information

• Valid UAE driving licence — required.
• Excellent written and spoken English; Arabic is advantageous.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple road design review packages simultaneously.
• Good communication and coordination skills for interfacing with design consultants and the project team.
• Working knowledge of the following authorities and standards: Department of Transport (Abu Dhabi Road Design Manual, geometric standards, access and traffic requirements); Department of Municipalities (development and planning compliance for road infrastructure); TASAREEH (permit and approval management platform for Abu Dhabi construction works); Miral Asset Management (Yas Island master developer road NOC and development approval processes); Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (road crossing and utility corridor coordination); Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (road and drainage interface coordination).
• This role offers the opportunity to play a key role in delivering a flagship luxury residential project with strong backing from an experienced developer and a growing project pipeline.
• Senior-level responsibility at project level with close interaction with leadership.
• Opportunity to help shape how project control is done in a fast-growing contracting organization.
• Nova International General Contracting is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are treated fairly and with respect.