Shop Drawing Lead % (M/F)

About ARX | Smart Minds

ARX is a global network of specialists in engineering, design, and architecture, providing 360° consulting, project management, and technical services across various sectors, including airports, bridges, and buildings. With a "glocal" approach, ARX combines global expertise with local knowledge to meet community needs and integrate international best practices. The company is expanding its presence in the Middle East, with offices in the UAE and KSA, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and engineering excellence in the GCC market.

The Role of Shop Drawing Lead

ARX | Smart Minds is seeking a Shop Drawing Lead for a full-time position in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This role requires a strong background in leading coordinated shop drawing delivery and translating design intent into practical construction information. The ideal candidate will demonstrate sound technical judgment, a structured approach to reviews, and the ability to guide drawing teams while resolving interfaces with designers, technical offices, and site teams. The position requires 5-10 years of experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead shop drawing planning, preparation, and internal checking, allocating work across drawing teams and aligning submissions with construction priorities and design information availability.
• Coordinate civil, structural, geotechnical, architectural, and MEP interfaces with discipline specialists to produce consistent drawing packages and resolve gaps, clashes, and conflicting details.
• Review shop drawings against issued-for-construction drawings, specifications, approved technical submissions, and relevant design calculations, referring design discrepancies to responsible designers.
• Lead constructability reviews covering dimensions, levels, setting out, openings, embedded items, access, tolerances, and construction sequencing with relevant discipline and site teams.
• Translate design review comments, technical clarifications, and site requirements into coordinated drawing revisions, maintaining traceability of decisions and responses.
• Coordinate RFIs and technical queries with consultants, designers, subcontractors, and suppliers, escalating unresolved issues that affect drawing release or site execution.
• Work with the technical office, BIM teams, and construction teams to align drawings, models, material submissions, and installation details at package interfaces.
• Manage drawing registers, submission schedules, review comment logs, and revision status with document control, tracking outstanding actions through to closure.
• Support site teams in interpreting coordinated drawings and resolving execution constraints, routing proposed changes through the agreed design review and approval process.
• Monitor drawing quality and delivery progress, report risks and dependencies, and mentor drawing team members in checking practices, detailing consistency, and technical coordination.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Relevant engineering or architectural qualification, or equivalent technical training supported by substantial shop drawing delivery experience.
• Proven experience on airport projects or large infrastructure projects is mandatory.
• Demonstrated experience leading shop drawing teams or coordinated drawing packages through technical review, submission, and construction support stages.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical submissions, with practical knowledge of civil and structural detailing and multidisciplinary interfaces.
• Sound understanding of constructability, construction sequencing, site constraints, and the integration of design information into executable details.
• Experience with RFIs, technical review comments, submission tracking, revision control, and technical office coordination.
• Proficiency in CAD drawing review and familiarity with BIM model coordination workflows; experience with AutoCAD, Revit, or Navisworks is preferred.
• Ability to guide technical teams, communicate review findings clearly, and manage competing drawing priorities across stakeholders.
• Middle East project experience is preferred.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to collaborate with a forward-thinking, synergistic, and innovative team.
• Exposure to cutting-edge projects driving Middle East / North African regions development.
• Personalized professional growth and developmental avenues tailored to your career aspirations.