Principal Façade Consultant

Description

Zutari: Co-creating an engineered impact.

Zutari is a well-established, management-owned engineering firm with almost 90 years experience. As human-centred engineering consultants and advisors, we are trusted by our clients, business partners, communities and other stakeholders across Africa.

We co-create engineering solutions that have a positive impact and improve peoples lives. Zutari values inclusion and recognises the importance of a diverse, talented workforce, believing that people need other people to succeed.

What kind of talent do we pursue?

We employ people with the right attitude and a positive mindset, who are motivated by doing the right thing, getting things done and share a sense of urgency. People who have an impact in our teams and broader community. People who think differently and connect with those around them to co-create new opportunities and leave a meaningful legacy.

Job Description:

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Façade Consultant to lead the delivery and growth of façade engineering services across the Middle East. This senior leadership role is for a professional who is passionate about innovative, high-performance building envelopes and who thrives on delivering landmark projects that define city skylines.

The Principal Façade Consultant will provide technical authority, strategic direction, and commercial leadership across a portfolio of complex projects, while mentoring teams and strengthening client relationships.

Responsibilities:

• Lead façade engineering projects from concept through construction, delivering innovative, sustainable, and technically robust solutions.
• Define façade performance strategies, system typologies, material selections, and constructability approaches.
• Ensure full compliance with regional and international codes and standards (UAE Fire & Life Safety Code, Dubai Green Building Regulations, BS, EN, ASTM, etc.).
• Review and approve technical deliverables, design reports, performance studies, and detailed drawings.
• Work collaboratively with architects, structural engineers, contractors, and specialist suppliers to ensure seamless system integration.
• High technical expertise in façade glazed systems, opaque cladding, roofing systems, and others.
• Guide the façade team with technical solutions for various façade systems.
• Provide expert input into façade performance, building physics, structural coordination, and durability.
• Provide technical leadership during construction, including review of shop drawings, mock-ups, material submittals, and testing.
• Manage major façade packages, ensuring quality, programme, budget, and risk targets are achieved.
• Attend site meetings, inspections, and coordination workshops to ensure compliance with approved designs.
• Lead construction supervision phases by reviewing shop drawings, attending site meetings, and resolving technical issues.
• Support bids, fee proposals, contract negotiations, and commercial strategy.
• Mentor and develop façade engineers and consultants across different experience levels.
• Promote best practice, innovation, and knowledge sharing across the business.
• Support recruitment and capability building within the façade team.
• Proficiency in façade design and analysis tools, BIM platforms, and computational workflows.
• Strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and quality.
  
  
  

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a closely related field.
• At least 12 years of professional experience in façade engineering or design, with a substantial portfolio of projects in the Middle East.
• Demonstrated expertise in delivering complex façade systems for high-rise, commercial, mixed-use, and hospitality projects.
• Deep knowledge of building physics, façade structures, and integrated design workflows.
• Hands-on experience supporting construction stages and coordinating activities on-site.
• Strong leadership track record, complemented by excellent interpersonal and communication abilities.