Sydney, NSW, Australia Hybrid

AECOM is hiring a Design Manager (Defence)

About the Role

Role details below.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and integrate large multidisciplinary design teams, driving technical coordination across architecture, civils, structural, MEP, fire, security, acoustics and specialist Defence consultants, ensuring fully integrated solutions.
  • Act as the primary client interface, engaging with Defence stakeholders and end users to extract operational requirements, translate them into technical briefs, and manage evolving scope within secure environments.
  • Own the front-end design strategy, establishing project execution plans, technical assurance processes, risk registers and programme controls from concept through detailed design.
  • Manage programme, commercial and governance obligations, ensuring delivery in line with DSC or framework requirements, maintaining compliance with Defence standards, security protocols, and regulatory controls.
  • Provide technical leadership and assurance, chairing design reviews, challenging discipline leads, resolving cross-discipline conflicts, ensuring buildability, safety, resilience and long-term asset performance.

Requirements

  • Australian Citizenship is required
  • Ability to work within secure environments
  • Strong understanding of programme control, commercial risk, technical governance and compliance frameworks
  • Credibility and confidence to challenge technical specialists while maintaining collaborative team dynamics

Nice to Have

  • 12+ years’ experience, with a strong technical grounding before transitioning into design management or multidisciplinary leadership
  • Proven track record delivering complex projects within Defence or other highly regulated sectors
  • Experience leading full design teams and acting as the Design Manager/Consultants Representative of contact for clients and key stakeholders
  • Understanding of the Defence contractual framework including DSC, DSSC, MC
  • Previous Defence experience is strongly preferred
  • Nuclear industry experience highly regarded
  • Prior defence clearance highly advantageous

Benefits

  • Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, 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
  • Robust global well-being program
  • Access to industry-leading technology and thinking
  • Transformational work with big impact
  • Work flexibility
  • Hybrid work options
About company
AECOM
AECOM is the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering solutions in water, environment, energy, transportation, and buildings. The company partners with public- and private-sector clients to solve complex challenges and build legacies through advisory, planning, design, engineering, and construction management. A Fortune 500 firm with $16.1 billion revenue in fiscal year 2025.
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Job Details
Department Building Engineering Team
Category other
Posted 2 months ago