Design Manager

Lucid Consulting Australia; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Lucid is seeking a Design Manager to join the Defence team in Newcastle, Australia, leading multidisciplinary design efforts for critical infrastructure projects. You will work with experienced engineers, project managers and Defence leaders to ensure safety, quality and adherence to programme and budget.

The role suits someone with a background in design leadership for complex projects, and who holds or can obtain AGSVA Baseline Security Clearance, with Australian Citizenship required.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex engineering/design projects in Defence or similarly complex environments.
• Hold or be eligible for AGSVA Baseline Security Clearance (or higher) and National Police Check.
• Australian Citizenship is required due to security requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering design teams on Defence projects.
• Act as Design Manager or Consultant Representative throughout project delivery.
• Manage internal engineering teams and external subconsultants to achieve project outcomes.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Defence clients and key stakeholders.
• Manage multiple projects with varying technical requirements, budgets and delivery programmes.
• Prepare and review scopes of work, technical reports and client deliverables.
• Support continuous improvement and technical excellence across the Defence team.

Skills

Leadership

Design management

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Technical reporting

Job description

Think Bold. Build Better. Belong at Lucid.

We're an employee-owned engineering and advisory firm where Lucid thinking drives progress. Here, you'll explore new ideas, challenge the status quo, and make a real difference - supported by clear pathways, modern tools, and a culture of innovation.

What this role is all about

Join Lucid's Defence team in Newcastle as a Design Manager and play a key role in delivering complex engineering projects that support Australia's critical infrastructure and national capability.

Working alongside experienced engineers, project managers and Defence leaders, you'll lead the coordination of multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest technical standards. You'll work closely with internal teams, clients and external consultants to deliver robust, practical and proven engineering solutions while balancing technical excellence, programme, budget and stakeholder expectations.

Whether you're an experienced Design Manager or an Architecture / Engineering design consultant who is looking to step into project leadership, this is an opportunity to influence project outcomes, mentor others and continue building your career within an employee-owned consultancy.

How you'll contribute day-to-day

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering design teams across Defence projects.
• Act as Design Manager and/or Consultant Representative throughout project delivery.
• Manage internal engineering teams and external subconsultants to deliver successful project outcomes.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Defence clients and key stakeholders.
• Manage multiple projects across varying technical disciplines, budgets and stages of the project lifecycle.
• Prepare and review scopes of work, technical reports, project documentation and client deliverables.
• Support continuous improvement and technical excellence across the Defence team.

What sets you up for success

To thrive in this role, you'll be someone who enjoys leading people, solving complex challenges and building strong relationships.

You’ll also bring

• Experience delivering infrastructure projects within the Defence sector or a similarly complex environment.
• Experience as a Design Manager or in a comparable project leadership role.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build long-term client relationships.
• Experience managing multiple projects with varying technical requirements, budgets and delivery programmes.
• Experience preparing and reviewing technical documentation and project design reporting.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and technical excellence.
• Hold, or be eligible to obtain and maintain, an AGSVA Baseline Security Clearance (or higher). This includes successfully completing Australian Government security vetting and a National Police Check.
• Australian Citizenship is required due to the security requirements associated with Defence projects. Applicants who hold Australian Permanent Residency and are at the final stage of obtaining Australian Citizenship (for example, awaiting their citizenship ceremony) may also be considered.

Life at Lucid

At Lucid, our people do more than deliver projects - they shape outcomes that matter. Their curiosity, commitment and drive to do things better are what set us apart. It's why we've built a workplace where people can thrive, grow and make an impact.

Lucid started in Adelaide with a simple belief: we could do things better. Not by being the biggest, but by being the most thoughtful, responsive and grounded partner to our clients.

Today, we're a team of 350+ people across Australia, united by a drive to turn complexity into clarity. Along the way, our people have opened new offices, led nationally significant projects and grown from graduates to leaders, shaping Lucid's journey as they shaped their own.

Lucid's culture is built on relationships and creating an environment where people can do great work. It's where curiosity is backed, initiative is supported and growth isn't just encouraged - it's expected.

We're a team that shares accountability.

At Lucid, we're committed to building a workplace where people are respected, supported and able to do their best work. We encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans and their families.

We don't use AI in our recruitment process, so our response times may occasionally be a little longer than others. We're a people-focused business and believe a person-to-person approach is the best way to connect, assess and support our candidates throughout their journey with Lucid.