Associate Director – Architecture (NSQEP)

AECOM; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Hybrid work options

Additional annual leave (up to 6 weeks

Flex public holidays

Learning & development programs

Global career opportunities

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director – Architecture (NSQEP) in Adelaide to lead architectural design on complex defence, research and nuclear projects. You will guide multidisciplinary teams, ensure safety and compliance, and shape design strategies aligning with nuclear safety and Defence standards.

The role is based in Adelaide with relocation support for qualified candidates. Hybrid work options, leadership opportunities, and a path to grow within a global infrastructure leader are offered.

Qualifications

• Accredited degree in Architecture with Nuclear / NSQEP experience.
• 10–15 years' architecture experience including leadership on complex projects.
• Experience in regulated environments with nuclear or defence exposure preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design and delivery of defence, research and nuclear projects.
• Provide design leadership across multidisciplinary teams for high-quality outputs.
• Oversee outputs supporting nuclear safety, regulatory approvals and governance.
• Act as trusted advisor to clients, stakeholders and partners through all project phases.
• Guide development of innovative, practical design solutions for complex buildings.
• Mentor architecture team members and foster a collaborative culture.
• Support business growth through client engagement and technical leadership.

Skills

Architecture

Nuclear experience

Leadership

Education

Accredited architecture degree

Job description

• Full-time
• State/Province: South Australia
• Business Group: DCS
• Legal Entity: AECOM Australia Pty Ltd
• Business Line: B&P - Buildings & Places
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: AU - Adelaide, SA

Company Description

Come and grow with us.

Our global portfolio of work comprises the design of iconic and award-winning buildings and landscapes. From strategic planning through to project realisation, the connections we make among people and place provide sustainable outcomes for our clients and the communities we serve. We place a premium on investing in digital capabilities and innovations which bring a unique consistency and efficiency to our scalable work. Together with our clients, we are working to evolve and elevate the built environment across sectors including social infrastructure, transit, technology and logistics, and commercial and corporate real estate, while focusing on solutions that promote long term health and wellbeing for all.

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

Job Description

As an Associate Director – Architecture (NSQEP), you will provide architectural leadership on complex defence, research and nuclear infrastructure projects. Combining strong design capability with experience in highly regulated environments, you will lead multidisciplinary teams in the planning, design and delivery of facilities that prioritise safety and operational performance. You will play a key role in shaping design strategy, guiding project teams and ensuring architectural outcomes align with nuclear safety requirements, Defence standards and international best practice.

This role is based in Adelaide. Suitably qualified candidates will be considered for relocation.

How you’ll make a difference:

• Lead the architectural design and delivery of complex defence, research and nuclear infrastructure projects.
• Provide design leadership across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring high-quality and coordinated project outcomes.
• Oversee architectural outputs that support nuclear safety requirements, regulatory approvals and project governance.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, stakeholders and project partners throughout all phases of project delivery.
• Guide the development of innovative, practical and resilient design solutions across complex building typologies.
• Mentor and develop architecture team members while fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Support business growth through client engagement, technical leadership and the delivery of exceptional project outcomes.

Qualifications

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.

The qualities that help you thrive:

• Accredited degree in Architecture with Nuclear / Nuclear Defence / NSQEP expeirence.
• Ideally, 10–15 years' experience in architecture, including leadership roles on complex defence, research, healthcare, laboratory or safety-critical projects.
• Demonstrated experience delivering projects within highly regulated environments, with exposure to nuclear or defence sectors highly regarded.
• Strong understanding of nuclear safety frameworks, Defence design requirements and government project delivery standards.
• Experience leading architectural teams and managing multidisciplinary project delivery.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and client relationship skills.
• Chartered status, professional membership or relevant postgraduate qualifications will be highly regarded.

Given the nature of our projects, Australian Citizenship (or AUKUS Clearance) is required.

Additional Information

Why you’ll love working with us:

• 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

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.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the landson which we, our clients and our communities live and workaround Australia.We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses.Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here:https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

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.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options.Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility.As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.