Job Overview: Senior Manager — Fire Safety and Standards

This is an executive “Life Safety” leadership role at Abu Dhabi Airports (AD Airports) , the operator of five airports including the state-of-the-art Zayed International Airport. As the Senior Manager of Fire Safety and Standards , you act as the “Technical Authority,” responsible for the “Protective DNA” of the UAE capital’s aviation infrastructure. This position is designed for a “Strategic Engineering Leader” who can navigate the complexities of NFPA codes, hydraulic modeling, and large-scale Operational Readiness (ORAT) with “Mechanical Accuracy.” You will be the primary engine of fire protection governance, ensuring that multi-billion-dirham capital projects and existing operations scale with “Zero-Failure” safety integrity.

Key Information

Employer: Abu Dhabi Airports Company (AD Airports)
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Sector: Aviation Infrastructure / Fire & Life Safety (FLS) Engineering
Experience: Minimum 8 Years in FLS Engineering (Airport Industry) + 4 Years in Senior Leadership
Education: Bachelor’s in Fire Protection or Mechanical Engineering
Key Certifications: NFPA CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) and PMI PMP

Key Responsibilities

You will manage the “Safety Architecture Lifecycle” across all Abu Dhabi airport assets:

Technical Authority & Governance: Establishing and enforcing Fire & Life Safety (FLS) design standards, compliance frameworks, and “Lessons Learned” protocols for the entire organization.
Engineering Design Review: Conducting high-level reviews of architectural drawings and specialized systems, including Fire Alarms (NFPA 72) , Sprinklers (NFPA 13) , Smoke Control, and Emergency Lighting.
Modeling & Analytics: Reviewing complex hydraulic calculations, heat/smoke modeling, and fire protection analyzes to validate system performance in massive terminal volumes.
ORAT & Commissioning: Overseeing Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and the handover from construction to operations, ensuring a seamless transition for the Airport Emergency Services.
Strategic Planning: Managing the full project lifecycle—from concept and value engineering to budget development and “Total Cost of Ownership” forecasting.
Consultancy Management: Leading multiple specialized consultancy teams (Design, Supervision, Peer Review) and defining detailed scopes of service for multi-million-dirham contracts.
Executive Liaison: Coordinating with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and providing board-level reporting on compliance risks and project milestones.

Candidate Requirements and Skills

AD Airports seeks a “Master Engineer” with a focus on aviation-specific fire hazards:

Professional Pedigree: At least 8 years of specialized airport fire safety experience, with a proven track record of delivering complex, large-scale aviation infrastructure.
Technical Intelligence: In-depth mastery of NFPA standards , International Building Codes (IBC), and building occupancy classifications specific to airports.
Modeling Proficiency: Hands-on experience interpreting hydraulic calculations and smoke modeling software outputs.
Operational Grit: The ability to lead multiple cross-functional teams and manage large vendor/consultancy contracts independently.
Soft Skill Mastery: Exceptional influence and negotiation skills to align architects, contractors, and regulatory bodies under a single safety vision.
Educational Foundation: A relevant Engineering degree supplemented by the NEBOSH International Diploma (preferred).

Salary and Benefits

This senior management role offers an elite “Total Rewards” package in the UAE capital:

Financial Integrity: A high-tier tax-free monthly salary commensurate with “Senior Manager” grade (Typically AED 45,000 – AED 65,000 depending on experience).
Lifestyle Support: Comprehensive executive benefits, including premium medical insurance, annual flight tickets, and car/transportation allowances.
Professional Growth: Direct influence over the safety strategy of the UAE’s critical national infrastructure.
Environment: Working within a world-class, multicultural organization at the forefront of aviation technology.
Future Security: Significant end-of-service gratuity and performance-based bonuses as per AD Airports policy.

Market Context: Airport Fire Safety Leadership 2026

In 2026, as airports integrate AI-driven fire detection and massive battery storage for electric ground vehicles, the FLS Technical Authority is the “Guardian” of hub resilience:

Focus Area	Critical Standard	Context
Terminal 1/3 & Zayed Intl	NFPA 13/72	Large Volume Protection
Hangar & Cargo	NFPA 11/409	Foam Suppression / High Risk
Fuel Farms	NFPA 30	Hazard Mitigation

Unique Job Description

Position: Senior Manager (Fire Safety & Standards) — Engineering the Shield of Abu Dhabi’s Hubs

Are you a “Safety Visionary” who believes that the integrity of a global airport is built on the strength of its engineering standards? Abu Dhabi Airports is seeking a Senior Manager – Fire Safety and Standards to join our elite technical leadership team. We don’t just “check alarms”; we engineer the Protective Frameworks and Life Safety DNA that allow our millions of passengers and global airline partners to Flourish . This is not a role for a “general inspector”; it’s a mission for a “Fire Protection Architect” —someone who can navigate the complexities of smoke modeling and IST commissioning with “technical grit” and provide the executive polish that our national aviation icon demands.

In this position, you are the pilot of our organizational resilience. You will spend your days (at the heart of Abu Dhabi’s aviation strategy ) architecting the governance, design reviews, and value engineering that define our reputation for “Zero-Failure” safety. Whether you are using your NFPA mastery to validate a complex sprinkler layout or utilizing your negotiation skills to align regulatory bodies, your “proactive mindset” and “excellence-first” attitude will be our greatest assets. You thrive in an environment where you are trusted to protect critical national infrastructure, challenged by the scale of mega-projects, and rewarded with a stable career at a global market leader.

We are looking for proactive leaders with a passion for engineering excellence and an “innovation-first” mindset. If you have the “resourcefulness” to lead multidisciplinary consultancy teams and the “discipline” to uphold international safety codes, Abu Dhabi Airports offers you a premier platform to reach your potential. Join us in Abu Dhabi, and let’s engineer a more extraordinary and secure future for the world of travel together.

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), Abu Dhabi

The Company

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is a public joint-stock company wholly owned by ADQ . Established in 2006, it is the primary engine driving the aviation industry in the UAE’s capital. ADAC operates a diverse portfolio of five commercial airports, including the flagship Zayed International Airport (AUH) . By March 2026, the company has solidified its position as a global aviation leader, following the record-breaking success of Terminal A , which has consolidated all operations into one of the world’s most technologically advanced “Mega-Terminals.” ADAC is currently executing a 2026 strategy focused on “Intelligent Total Airport Management,” integrating AI, blockchain for crypto-payments, and advanced biometrics to redefine the passenger journey.

Culture

The culture at ADAC is deeply rooted in the “Values of Zayed” — wisdom, respect, sustainability, and human development. It is a high-performance, multicultural environment characterized by:

“One Team” Spirit: A workforce representing over 50 nationalities working towards the vision of being the world’s leading airport group.
Service Excellence: A 2026 mandate prioritizing Inclusivity and Accessibility , ensuring that frontline staff are empowered through a “Recognition Scheme” to deliver empathetic, world-class hospitality.
Innovation DNA: A workplace that encourages “Intrapreneurship,” where employees collaborate with tech giants like SITA and Skyports to pioneer Advanced Air Mobility (eVTOL) and digital twin operations.
Resilience: Demonstrated by the company’s agile management of regional airspace shifts in early 2026, maintaining operational integrity through transparent stakeholder communication.

Location

ADAC manages a strategic network of aviation assets across the Emirate:

Zayed International Airport (AUH): The primary hub located 30km east of Abu Dhabi city. In 2026, it serves as the base for Etihad Airways and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi , featuring the award-winning Terminal A.
Al Bateen Executive Airport: Located just 10km from the city center, it is the region’s first dedicated business aviation airport and home to a new state-of-the-art Bombardier service facility.
Al Ain International Airport: Positioned as a hub for technology and innovation, hosting the UAE’s premier aerospace cluster.
Island Airports: Dedicated facilities on Sir Bani Yas and Delma Island , critical for tourism and connecting remote communities.
AD Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ): High-tech business parks located at AUH, Al Ain, and Al Bateen to foster global trade and logistics.

ADAC: 2026 Strategic Pillar & Innovation Matrix

Strategic Pillar	2026 Key Initiative	Operational Impact
Digital Transformation	Intelligent Total Airport Management (ITAM).	Real-time AI optimization of passenger flows and baggage.
Sustainability	Net-Zero Ground Operations.	Integration of solar power and thermodynamic cooling systems.
Economic Growth	AD Airports Free Zone Expansion.	Attracting global clusters in Aerospace, Pharma, and Tech.
Advanced Mobility	Vertiport Integration.	Partnering with Skyports for 2026-2027 air taxi trials.
Customer Experience	Biometric “Smart Travel” 2.0.	Seamless “Curbside-to-Gate” journey without physical documents.

2026 Career DNA & Professional Standards

Technical Surge: High demand for Data Architects, Data Governance Leads, and Program Managers to oversee the shift to “AI-First” airport management.
Nationalization (Kawader): A top-tier priority, offering specialized Airport Supervisory Programs for UAE Nationals with competitive starting salaries (up to AED 25,000+ post-training).
Compliance Rigor: Recruitment focuses on Head of Corporate Compliance and Fire Safety Standards roles to meet 2026’s heightened global security and ESG protocols.
Future-Ready Skills: Preference for candidates with certifications in BIM (Building Information Modeling) and experience in managing “Mega-Project” document control.

To apply for this job please visit www.adairports.ae.