The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is seeking a Structural Conservation Senior Specialist to lead the independent technical review, validation, and governance of structural assessments, material investigations, analytical models, and intervention strategies for modern heritage buildings across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
About the Role – Structural Conservation for Modern Heritage
Core Focus: Technical review, validation, and QA of structural assessments for heritage buildings
Technical Standards: ASCE 41 performance-based assessment, ADIBC/UAE regulations, ACI 318, ACI 562, ASCE 7, IEBC
Intervention Strategies: Repair, strengthening, retrofitting, restoration, and adaptive reuse
Software Tools: ETABS, SAFE, SAP2000, AutoCAD
Mission: DCT Abu Dhabi drives sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors
Career Growth & Cultural Heritage Impact
Strategic Location: Abu Dhabi – preserving cultural identity while building a global tourism destination
Specialized Expertise: Rare intersection of structural engineering and heritage conservation principles
Stakeholder Influence: Provide clear, defensible engineering positions to consultants, municipalities, and regulators
Career Growth: Lead research, capacity building, and policy development for modern heritage conservation
Position Overview
This Structural Conservation Senior Specialist role leads technical review and validation of structural assessments, material testing programmes, and intervention strategies for modern heritage buildings. You will assess structural behaviour considering material degradation and historic construction practices, review consultant methodologies and recommendations, validate repair and adaptive reuse strategies balancing safety with heritage preservation, supervise site works, and contribute to policy frameworks, research, and capacity building for modern heritage conservation across Abu Dhabi.
Why This Role Matters: As Structural Conservation Senior Specialist, you safeguard both structural safety and cultural authenticity for Abu Dhabi’s modern heritage buildings, apply advanced performance-based assessment methods like ASCE 41 where prescriptive codes could compromise heritage value, review and validate consultant work across concrete durability, corrosion mitigation, and structural strengthening strategies, shape policy, guidelines, and technical standards that will govern heritage conservation practice, and contribute to research, training, and awareness initiatives that build long-term capacity in a highly specialized engineering discipline.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Review & Structural Assessment
- Lead technical review, validation, and QA of structural assessments and conservation studies for modern heritage buildings
- Assess structural behaviour of existing modern heritage buildings, considering material degradation and historic construction practices
- Review and challenge consultant methodologies, assumptions, and analytical outputs for technical soundness
Conservation Intervention Strategy
- Evaluate and validate repair, strengthening, retrofitting, restoration, and adaptive reuse strategies
- Promote evidence-based and performance-based assessment approaches, including ASCE 41 where appropriate
- Balance structural safety requirements with preservation of authenticity, character, and original material fabric
Monitoring, Maintenance & Risk Management
- Plan, manage, and report on modern heritage sites per approved cyclical maintenance plans
- Coordinate condition monitoring, risk identification, and corrective actions for at-risk heritage assets
- Supervise site works related to structural improvements and conservation interventions
Policy, Research & Capacity Building
- Lead development of technical review frameworks, guidelines, and quality standards for conservation engineering
- Contribute to research, publications, training materials, and capacity building on modern heritage conservation
- Collaborate with consultants, municipalities, regulatory authorities, and academic institutions
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering
- Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering
- Professional certifications or memberships such as PE are an advantage
Experience Requirements
- 6-8 years of experience in concrete repair and durability engineering, including corrosion mitigation and cathodic protection
- Experience in structural condition assessment of existing and ageing structures, modelling, and advanced analysis
Technical Knowledge & Software
- Knowledge of ADIBC/UAE regulations, ACI 318, ACI 562, ASCE 7, IEBC, and ASCE 41
- Proficiency with ETABS, SAFE, SAP2000, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Suite
Essential Skills
- Technical expertise in structural assessment, material testing, and concrete durability strategy review
- Strong judgment reviewing consultant submissions and producing defensible technical recommendations
- Knowledge of conservation principles, minimal intervention, and material compatibility
- Language competency in English required; Arabic proficiency preferred
About DCT Abu Dhabi
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors. Through its work in cultural heritage, museums, historic environments, creative industries, and destination development, DCT Abu Dhabi plays a central role in preserving the emirate’s cultural identity while positioning Abu Dhabi as a leading global destination for culture and tourism.
Career Excellence: Lead structural conservation engineering that safeguards Abu Dhabi’s modern heritage while shaping the future of its cultural landscape.
Who Should Apply?
- Structural Engineers: With 6-8 years of concrete repair and durability engineering experience
- Heritage Conservation Specialists: Familiar with ASCE 41 and performance-based assessment approaches
- ETABS/SAP2000 Analysts: Experienced in structural condition assessment and advanced modelling
- PE-Certified Engineers: Seeking a senior technical governance role in cultural heritage
- Bilingual (English/Arabic) Professionals: Interested in a specialized public sector engineering career
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