Structural Draftsman Job Description UAE 2025 — Responsibilities, Qualifications and Salary
A Structural Draftsman in UAE earns between AED 48,000 and AED 96,000 per year. The role produces structural engineering drawings and details from engineer’s calculations and sketches using AutoCAD or Revit. It requires a diploma or bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or drafting, 2 to 6 years of structural drafting experience, and proficiency in AutoCAD.
UAE and Saudi Arabia
Salary: AED 48,000–96,000
Updated 2025
Structural Draftsman Responsibilities
The table below lists the primary responsibilities of a Structural Draftsman in UAE and Saudi Arabia as of 2025. Each responsibility is stated as a discrete, measurable activity.
| Responsibility | Frequency | Output / Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Produce structural drawings from engineer’s calculations and marked-up sketches | Per project | Drawings issued to agreed programme with engineer’s check stamp |
| Prepare reinforcement detailing drawings for concrete structures | Per element | Reinforcement drawings reviewed and approved by structural engineer |
| Update drawings following design revisions and RFI responses | Per revision | Revision clouds clear; revision index updated |
| Maintain drawing register and document control | Ongoing | Drawing register current and accessible to project team |
| Coordinate structural drawings with architectural and MEP drawings | Per coordination cycle | Clash report reviewed and resolved with respective discipline |
| Produce as-built drawings from site mark-ups | Per project | As-builts submitted within 30 days of practical completion |
Structural Draftsman Qualifications and Requirements
The following qualifications apply to a Structural Draftsman role in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Requirements vary by sector and employer size.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Education | Diploma or bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Drafting, or Construction Technology |
| Experience | 2 to 6 years of structural drafting experience |
| CAD | AutoCAD required; Revit Structure or Tekla Structures preferred |
| Standards | BS 8110, ACI 318, or equivalent reinforced concrete detailing standards knowledge |
| Attention to detail | Accuracy in dimension, annotation, and drawing standard compliance |
| Communication | Drawing register maintenance and RFI documentation skills |
All employment contracts in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. A Structural Draftsman employed in mainland UAE requires a Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) approved contract. ADGM, DIFC, and free zone employees are subject to their respective authority’s employment regulations.
How RFS Recruits a Structural Draftsman
- You brief RFS with the role specification, seniority level, and team structure. The briefing call takes 30 minutes.
- RFS searches its active candidate database and activates direct outreach within 24 hours of instruction.
- RFS delivers a shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened Structural Draftsman candidates within 48 to 72 hours.
- You conduct interviews. RFS coordinates scheduling and candidate communication throughout.
- RFS supports offer negotiation and manages the candidate’s notice period and onboarding.
- The 6-month replacement guarantee activates from the candidate’s start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Structural Draftsman earn in UAE?
A Structural Draftsman in UAE earns between AED 48,000 and AED 96,000 per year. Senior draftsmen with Revit and BIM experience earn AED 72,000 to AED 96,000. Junior draftsmen with 1 to 3 years earn AED 48,000 to AED 66,000.
What CAD software is used by structural draftsmen in UAE?
AutoCAD is the standard tool for structural drafting in UAE, required by all employers. Revit Structure is increasingly specified for BIM-enabled projects, particularly large mixed-use developments and government projects. Tekla Structures is used for structural steel detailing. Microstation is used on some infrastructure projects.
Does RFS recruit Structural Draftsmen?
Yes. RFS sources Structural Draftsman candidates for engineering consultancies and contractors across UAE and Saudi Arabia. A shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened candidates is delivered within 48 to 72 hours. The retained search fee is 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation.
What a Structural Draftsman does in UAE
A Structural Draftsman in UAE produces detailed structural engineering drawings and BIM models under the supervision of a structural engineer, preparing reinforcement drawings, formwork plans, and shop drawings for construction of buildings and infrastructure across UAE projects submitted to Dubai Municipality or Abu Dhabi City Municipality.
Key responsibilities
- Produce reinforced concrete structural drawings including slabs, beams, columns, and foundations from engineer calculations
- Develop structural steel connection details and erection drawings for UAE projects
- Create 3D structural BIM models in Revit Structure coordinated with architectural and MEP models
- Prepare shop drawings for steel structures, precast elements, and specialised structural components
- Revise drawings to incorporate RFI responses and structural design changes during construction
- Maintain the drawing register and document control for all structural deliverables
- Coordinate with the structural engineer on drawing checking and approval workflow
- Prepare as-built drawings after construction completion for the client documentation package
- Comply with UAE Municipality drawing format and title block requirements for authority submissions
- Support the senior engineer with quantity take-off and schedule preparation from structural drawings
Qualifications required
- Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in civil or structural engineering or technical drafting
- 3 to 7 years structural drafting experience with at least 2 years on UAE or GCC projects
- Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit Structure for structural drawing production
- Knowledge of UAE Municipality structural drawing submission standards
- Reinforced concrete and structural steel detailing experience for UAE building types
- BIM coordination experience using Navisworks preferred for multi-discipline projects
- Arabic language skills an advantage for UAE team and authority correspondence
- Experience on UAE high-rise, commercial, or infrastructure project types preferred
Structural Draftsman salary by employer type in UAE
| Employer type | Annual salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| International or UAE structural consultancy | 100,000–180,000 |
| Tier 1 main contractor technical team (UAE) | 90,000–170,000 |
| Developer project design team | 95,000–175,000 |
| Precast or structural steel fabricator (UAE) | 85,000–165,000 |
Contract terms for this role in UAE
Structural Draftsman roles carry a 30 day notice period in UAE. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 applies to your end-of-service gratuity at 21 days basic salary per year for the first five years.
Hire a Structural Draftsman in UAE or Saudi Arabia
RFS delivers a shortlist of pre-screened Structural Draftsman candidates in 48 to 72 hours. Retained search fee: 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation. 6-month replacement guarantee on all placements.
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UAE Market Data — Structural Draftsman 2025
Salary Range (AED/month)
AED 10,000 – 45,000 (varies by seniority)
Tax-free. Source: Michael Page UAE 2026, Indeed UAE 2025
Industry
Construction — UAE & GCC
Required Certifications (UAE Market)
PMP / PRINCE2 for PMs. MRICS / MCIOB for QS/site roles. CIOB membership valued. NEC/FIDIC contract knowledge.
UAE-Specific Regulatory Skills
Dubai Building Code (Dubai Municipality), Abu Dhabi International Building Code (ADIBC), RERA registration for Dubai projects, Trakhees approval for free zone projects, UAE Fire and Life Safety Code.
RFS HR Consultancy places structural draftsman professionals across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider UAE and GCC. View our construction recruitment services Dubai UAE or check the construction salary guide UAE 2025.
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