Being a woman engineering manager in Dubai: what nobody told me

السلام عليكم. I studied computer science in Khartoum at a time when US sanctions meant half the developer tools on the internet refused to work for us. I moved to Dubai in 2016 through a recruiter, with one suitcase and a lot of confidence I had not earned yet. Today I manage twelve engineers from nine countries at a logistics company. Here is what I wish someone had told me.

1. Negotiate the basic, not only the total

Gulf packages are usually split: basic salary plus housing, transport and other allowances. The total looks good. But in the UAE, end-of-service gratuity is calculated on the basic only: 21 days of basic for each of your first five years, then 30 days per year after that. Some other benefits are tied to basic too. A package with 40% basic and one with 60% basic can have the same total and very different value after five years. Ask to move part of the "other allowance" into basic. It costs the company little today.

2. There is no income tax, but there is cost

No income tax in the UAE, yes. But rent, school fees and health costs for family can be very high. When you compare an offer with home, compare what you save at the end of the month, not the salary.

3. Managing nine work cultures

Some of my engineers were raised to never disagree with a manager in public. Others will argue with me in a design review before I finish my sentence. Both are normal somewhere. What helped was making the norms explicit:

• "In this team, disagreeing in a design review is a contribution, not disrespect."
• "If you're blocked for more than half a day, say it. Nobody will think less of you."
• Before reviews, I ask everyone the same five questions in a 1:1, so the people who never self-promote get seen too.

During Ramadan, private sector working hours are reduced by two hours a day by law. I plan sprints around it from January. Nothing kills trust faster than a deadline at iftar time.

4. Being the woman in the room

In my first years, clients directed technical questions to the most junior man at the table. I was mistaken for the PM, for HR, once for someone's assistant. The first time it happens in a meeting, I answer the question anyway, calmly and well. If it happens a second time, I say: "I'll take that, I lead the team." No apology, no anger. Khalas. It almost never happens a third time.

5. Carrying home with you

Since the war started in April 2023, my parents and sisters have been displaced from Khartoum. There were weeks I ran sprint planning while waiting for a message that they had crossed safely. My team knew, because I told them. I'm glad I did. Your team can carry a little of it with you, if you let them.

For people who want a Gulf job

• LinkedIn plus specialist recruiters work better than job boards here.
• In my experience, senior backend engineers at mid-size Dubai companies see something like AED 25,000 to 40,000 a month total package. Big variation by company and nationality, unfortunately. Know the range before you talk numbers.
• Ask about visa costs, family sponsorship, health insurance for dependants and annual flight tickets. They are part of the package.

What questions do you have about working in the Gulf? I'll answer what I can, inshallah.