Written by Julianne Tolentino | May 2025
Peyman Mohajer, Managing Director of 9E Global reflects on a career defined by bold design, sustainable thinking, and purpose-driven engineering.
Over four decades in construction, 27 of them rooted in the Middle East, Peyman Mohajer has carved a unique path defined by entrepreneurial vision, sustainable thinking, and trust-led leadership.
His pivotal decision to establish Whitby & Bird’s Dubai office in 2005 laid the foundation for a career that balances technical excellence with human-centric design.
From co-founding WME to launching 9E Global, Mohajer has consistently pushed boundaries, creating engineering solutions that go beyond structures to shape resilient, future-ready communities.
What were the pivotal milestones in your 40 years in construction, including 27 in the Middle East?
Since 2000, I had set my sights on starting my own engineering practice. It took four years to find the right opportunity—when I approached the London-based firm Whitby & Bird and established their Dubai office in 2005. Meeting clients directly allowed me to better understand their needs while also educating them on sustainable solutions.
That experience convinced me that I could make the greatest impact by stepping into a leadership role in engineering. I began telling my colleagues the sky’s the limit and saw a huge market opportunity to tap into a niche, offering a personal and trust-based service to build unique projects we can all be proud of.
What’s changed in your approach from co-founding WME to launching 9E Global?
When I co-founded WME, my goal was to deliver high-quality engineering projects that were structurally sound, beautifully designed and built to last. We grew by focusing on excellence, collaboration, and solving complex challenges with precision.
Over time, I began to see a bigger picture. Engineering isn’t just about buildings, it’s about people, the environment, and the future. That shift in thinking is what led us here to launch 9E Global.
With 9E, our vision is more ambitious and future-focused. We want to create designs that are not only strong and efficient but also sustainable, smart, and adaptable. Now, I see engineering as a tool for lasting impact, not just construction,
but transformation.
What’s your approach to balancing bold design with practical execution?
Tall buildings as well as iconic structures such as The Opus, the UAE Pavilion with long cantilevers, Ubora Tower in Business Bay with its vertical twist, Nakheel Mall and Tower on the Palm have all been once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and as a team,
we have pushed the boundaries and gone out of our comfort zone.
If and when there were uncertainties, we were not shy to bring experts to peer review our work and learn. We have influenced the overall design from the outset to ensure the most cost-effective solutions are provided whilst considering the environmental impact and use of sustainable materials in the construction.
What’s one thing the built environment urgently needs to rethink today?
We are at the cusp of a technological revolution similar to when the internet was launched. We have the AI revolution that is rapidly evolving, and our industry needs to make sure it does not fall behind.
In particular, design automation and seamless interface between the drawings and the design tools. Production of 3D images and drawings has become exponentially easier by utilising full BIM capabilities in the transfer of information to various players in
the industry, including contractors.
We’re witnessing substantial innovation in site supervision with the use of drones and digital cameras, allowing supervision to be completed remotely.
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind for future engineers?
I believe engineers have a responsibility to work together for the good of our communities.
That means being ethical, thoughtful, and committed to environmentally friendly solutions—always considering how our designs affect the planet.
The legacy I hope to leave is one that changes how we see the built environment: not just as structures, but as living systems that support people, uplift communities, and honour the Earth.
I want the next generation of engineers and builders to be bold enough to challenge convention yet grounded in purpose: to design with empathy and build with integrity.
My mission has always been to advance the industry by instilling a deep sense of responsibility for the social and environmental outcomes of our work. To do what is needed now, think globally and act locally. I envision a world where buildings are not only efficient and beautiful, but with the least carbon footprint and become catalysts for healthier, more resilient societies.