Our Adelaide team is looking for an experienced Technical Director level Design Manager to join one of Australia's most significant defence infrastructure projects.

This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior leadership role where you'll help shape the design and delivery of a complex, safety-critical programme. You'll lead integrated teams across Australia and the UK, bringing people together to solve technical challenges, maintain design quality and deliver successful project outcomes.

You’ll provide technical leadership across a number of nuclear facilities, contributing to the delivery of safety-significant infrastructure within a robust nuclear safety framework. You'll combine strategic leadership with hands-on technical involvement, guiding the development of multidisciplinary building designs while maintaining a strong assurance and governance focus.

Working closely with design teams and stakeholders, you'll help resolve complex technical issues, manage critical interfaces and influence key design decisions. Acting as a trusted technical authority, you'll provide challenge, undertake technical reviews and verification activities, and ensure the required standards of safety, quality and performance.

Extensive experience delivering major nuclear and defence projects, and working within highly regulated environments, is essential.

How you’ll make a difference:

• Lead integrated design teams across Australia and the UK, creating a collaborative culture that delivers consistent, high-quality outcomes.
• Provide technical leadership across complex process engineering systems, with particular focus on radiological waste management and supporting infrastructure.
• Guide design integration across multiple disciplines, helping resolve technical issues, manage project risks and support successful project delivery.
• Support the Design Lead by providing technical advice, contributing to program planning and representing the project in senior technical, client and safety forums when required.
• Mentor engineers and technical specialists, building capability across the team while promoting a strong nuclear safety culture and supporting the development of NSQEP capability across the programme.
• Build trusted relationships with clients and key stakeholders, understanding their challenges and delivering practical, innovative solutions.
• Contribute to business growth by identifying opportunities, supporting client engagement and maintaining the highest standards of technical excellence.

This role is located in Adelaide with relocation support available for suitably qualified candidates

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don’t tick all the boxes, you could still be a perfect fit for this role. Please apply, all applications will be considered.

The qualities that help you thrive:

• Degree-qualified in Engineering or a related technical discipline, with relevant postgraduate qualifications highly regarded.
• More than 25 years' experience delivering complex projects within defence, nuclear or other highly regulated industries.
• Chartered status or professional membership with a recognised industry body.
• Experience working within an NSQEP framework is highly regarded. Candidates with the capability to work within an NSQEP environment, demonstrated through significant experience in nuclear, defence or other highly regulated industries, are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams through complex design and project delivery.
• Strong technical background in design management or the delivery of safety-critical / defence infrastructure.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships at all levels.
• A track record of developing high-performing teams, contributing to business growth and delivering successful project outcomes. Technical publications or conference presentations would be viewed favourably.

Please note, suitable AUKUS defence clearance is essential for this role.

Why you’ll love working with us:

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, full-time, part-time, job-sharing and hybrid work options
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year
• Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better
• Continuous learning and growth - lunch and learns, professional development courses, financial study assistance, 5 days paid study leave, global career opportunities

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

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About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.