Lead Architect (Metro)📣 Job Ad

About the Role

SYSTRA Arabia is seeking a Lead Architect (Metro) to join its Project Management Consultant (PMC) team. This full-time position is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and involves supporting the Engineering Manager on a significant metro project. The role focuses on overseeing architectural design management, technical coordination, and design review across all project phases.

Role Objectives

The Lead Architect will ensure that the metro station design achieves the highest standards of functionality, passenger experience, urban integration, buildability, and design excellence. This requires strong experience in the delivery of major transport, infrastructure, or iconic public building projects, with proven capability in managing multidisciplinary coordination within a PMC environment. A solid understanding of GCC project delivery standards, stakeholder expectations, approvals processes, and regional authority requirements is essential for success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Engineering Manager in all architectural matters within the PMC scope.
• Act as the architectural focal point within the PMC team, coordinating technical reviews and design decisions with the Engineering Manager.
• Manage and coordinate architectural interfaces with multidisciplinary teams, including structural, MEP, rail systems, urban design, landscape, and specialist consultants.
• Review concept, schematic, detailed design, IFC, and contractor submissions for quality, compliance, and completeness.
• Ensure the design intent of the iconic station is maintained throughout design development and construction.
• Support passenger-focused planning, station functionality, accessibility, safety, and public realm integration.
• Review façade systems, internal finishes, material palettes, and architectural detailing to ensure quality and durability.
• Monitor compliance with employer’s requirements, local authority regulations, transport authority criteria, and applicable international standards.
• Participate in design coordination meetings, technical workshops, authority discussions, and client presentations.
• Support value engineering while protecting critical design, operational, and passenger experience objectives.
• Review shop drawings, material submittals, mock-ups, RFIs, and as-built documentation during construction.
• Assist in resolving architectural and interface issues arising on site.
• Contribute to progress reporting, technical assessments, risk registers, and project documentation.
• Support testing, commissioning, completion, and handover from an architectural and finishes perspective.

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from a recognized institution.
• Minimum 12 years of post-graduate experience in architecture.
• Mandatory GCC experience, preferably in Saudi Arabia, on major building, transport, or infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience in PMC, design management, or client-side technical review roles.
• Previous involvement in iconic stations, metro stations, rail projects, airports, or complex public buildings is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary design coordination and architectural interfaces.
• Solid knowledge of local authority requirements, international standards, fire/life safety coordination, accessibility, and passenger movement planning.
• Experience in design review, construction support, technical submissions, and handover processes.
• Proficiency in reviewing drawings, specifications, material submissions, and technical reports.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills in a multicultural project environment.

Work Environment

This role operates within a Project Management Consultant (PMC) team dedicated to a large-scale metro project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment, collaborating with various engineering and design teams to achieve project objectives.

Application Process

Candidates meeting the specified requirements are encouraged to apply. Salary details for this position will be discussed during the interview process.