Job Description

**************** About Studio 360 ***************

At Studio 360, we are more than just a design studio — we serve as the creative and technical engine behind Azizi Developments. Since our establishment in 2017, our multidisciplinary team has delivered innovative solutions in architecture, engineering, interiors, landscape, and MEP across a diverse array of sectors, including residential, commercial, hospitality, healthcare, and master planning. With three offices and a shared passion for excellence, we merge creativity, precision, and a human-centric approach to bring visionary projects to life. We lead in digital transformation by integrating advanced technologies and Building Information Modeling (BIM) at every stage of our design and delivery process. At Studio 360, you will be immersed in a dynamic environment where bold ideas, collaboration, and innovative tools converge to shape the skylines of tomorrow.

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Job Title

Mechanical Team Lead (Plumbing & Firefighting)

Department

MEP Design Team

Reporting Line

Reports to: MEP Design Manager / Head of MEP Design Location: Cairo, Egypt (Design Back Office) Supporting: Head Office – Dubai, UAE

Level of Seniority

Senior / Team Lead

Company Overview

The company's main office is based in Dubai, UAE. This position is based in the company's design back office in Cairo, Egypt, which operates as a technical design support hub delivering MEP design services for projects managed and executed by the Dubai head office.

Job Purpose

The Mechanical Team Lead (Plumbing & Firefighting) leads a team of engineers and BIM modelers responsible for the design and delivery of plumbing and fire protection systems across commercial, residential, hospitality, and healthcare projects, primarily serving the UAE and KSA markets. Beyond individual design ownership, this role carries direct people-leadership accountability: planning and allocating team workload, reviewing technical output for quality and code compliance, and acting as the discipline's primary technical authority in coordination with the Dubai head office, clients, and other engineering disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Resource Management

Lead, organize, and allocate the work of plumbing and firefighting engineers, designers, and BIM modelers across concurrent projects, balancing workload against deadlines and project priorities.
Provide day-to-day technical supervision, mentoring, and career development support to team members, reviewing their design output for accuracy, consistency, and code compliance.
Plan resourcing needs for upcoming projects and provide input to hiring, onboarding, and training of new team members.
Conduct technical training sessions to raise the team's design and BIM competency levels.

System Design & Engineering

Lead and review the design of plumbing systems, including domestic hot and cold water supply, drainage, sewerage, storm water, grey water, and (where applicable) medical gas and LPG/NG systems.
Lead and review the design of firefighting systems, including sprinkler networks, wet/dry standpipes, fire hydrant systems, fire pump and tank sizing, hose reels/cabinets, and clean-agent suppression systems (e.g., FM200) where required.
Oversee hydraulic calculations, pipe sizing, pump sizing, tank sizing, and static pressure calculations, using software such as Elite Fire/Hydratec or equivalent.
Review and approve general arrangement drawings, riser/isometric diagrams, schedules, and technical specifications prepared by the team.
Prepare and/or review early-stage design concepts, space allocation requirements, and basis-of-design documentation at each project stage.

BIM & Multidisciplinary Coordination

Oversee plumbing and firefighting modeling in Revit MEP, ensuring model accuracy, LOD compliance (up to LOD 500 where required), and adherence to the project BIM Execution Plan.
Direct clash detection and coordination using Navisworks Manage, working closely with HVAC, Electrical, Architectural, and Structural teams to resolve conflicts before issue.
Lead or participate in regular multidisciplinary coordination meetings, driving timely resolution of design and interface issues.

Codes, Compliance & Authority Submissions

Ensure all plumbing and firefighting designs comply with NFPA, UPC/IPC, and local authority requirements, including Dubai Civil Defence, DEWA, Trakhees, ADM, and the Saudi Building Code/Saudi Civil Defence requirements as applicable.
Oversee preparation and submission of authority approval packages, and lead resolution of authority review comments.

Project & Client Management

Act as the primary technical point of contact for the plumbing and firefighting discipline with the Dubai head office, clients, consultants, and contractors, ensuring alignment on design intent and delivery schedules.
Attend client and project meetings, presenting design solutions and addressing technical queries directly.
Take responsibility for the discipline's scope delivery within agreed budget and schedule, providing regular progress updates to project and design management.
Review shop drawings, material submittals, and vendor data for technical compliance during the construction phase, and support site teams with technical clarifications.
Support tender and proposal stages with technical input, quantity take-offs (BOQs), and preliminary design.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
Registration or eligibility for registration with a relevant professional body is an advantage (e.g., Engineers Syndicate, Saudi Council of Engineers for KSA-facing work).

Required Experience

10+ years of progressive experience in plumbing and firefighting design engineering, with a strong track record on projects in the UAE and KSA markets.
Demonstrated experience leading or supervising a team of engineers and/or designers, including workload planning and technical mentoring.
Proven experience within an MEP design consultancy, engineering back-office, or similar setup supporting Gulf-region projects.
Experience across a range of project types (commercial, residential, hospitality, healthcare, high-rise, or mixed-use) is preferred; experience with major client/authority frameworks (e.g., Dubai Civil Defence, MOH/CBAHI-compliant healthcare projects, high-rise/tower developments) is an advantage.

Required Technical Skills

Expert-level knowledge of Autodesk Revit MEP and Navisworks Manage for plumbing and firefighting modeling, coordination, and clash detection.
Strong proficiency in AutoCAD for design, drafting, and legacy drawing review.
Strong knowledge of hydraulic/fire calculation software (e.g., Elite Fire, Hydratec, or equivalent).
Solid working knowledge of NFPA, UPC/IPC standards, alongside UAE and KSA local codes and authority approval processes.
Familiarity with BIM execution plans (BEP), LOD requirements, and common data environment (CDE) platforms (e.g., BIM 360/ACC).
Strong technical report writing, specification development, and BOQ preparation skills.

Key Competencies

Proven leadership, team management, and mentoring capability.
Strong engineering judgment and independent decision-making ability.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, particularly in a cross-office (Cairo–Dubai) working model and with clients, consultants, and authorities.
Ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and tight deadlines across a team.
Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to design quality, safety compliance, and code adherence.
Composed and effective under pressure, with strong organizational skills.

Working Conditions

Based in the Cairo design back office, working in direct support of live projects managed from the Dubai head office.
May require occasional coordination calls aligned with Dubai/KSA working hours.
Occasional travel to Dubai or project sites in KSA may be required, based on project needs.