Design Manager - Water Infrastructure

Aecom Australia Pty Ltd; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work

Hybrid work

Extra annual leave (up to 6 weeks)

Volunteer leave

Job summary

AECOM Australia Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead multi-disciplinary design delivery for water infrastructure projects in Melbourne, with flexible and hybrid work options. You will collaborate across the ANZ network and internationally where appropriate, contributing to sustainable outcomes for communities.

You will drive design governance, budgets, and risk management while mentoring a team of technical leaders and coordinating with clients, contractors and internal teams

Qualifications

• Relevant engineering qualification and consulting/design management experience.
• Proven experience delivering water infrastructure projects (plants, pipelines, etc.).
• Track record of managing large, complex designs within scope, schedule and budget.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Leadership and coordination capabilities.
• Familiarity with D&C/alliancing, risk management and safety processes.
• Experience in digital delivery (BIM/model coordination) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-discipline design delivery for water infrastructure aligned with client and contractor expectations.
• Ensure governance, safety and technical quality throughout design decisions.
• Manage design programs and budgets; proactively address risks to meet commitments.
• Chair design reviews and technical forums (HAZID/HAZOP).
• Drive digital delivery (3D models/BIM) and promote sustainability.
• Collaborate with ANZ leaders on resource planning and project setup.
• Support bids with clear design strategies and mentor emerging leaders.

Skills

Engineering degree

Design management

Water infrastructure

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Risk management

BIM / digital delivery

D&C / alliancing

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

BIM

Job description

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Following significant contract awards in our ANZ Water business, we are expanding our Water Infrastructure team - supported by a secure 10‑year pipeline of work.

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead multi-disciplinary design delivery for water infrastructure projects. This role is Melbourne-based with flexible work options and opportunities to collaborate across our ANZ network (and internationally where appropriate).

Our Water Infrastructure group partners with public and private clients across water and wastewater treatment, major conveyance and pipelines, pump stations, dams and storage, asset management, industrial and civil infrastructure, mining, and defence — with a strong focus on delivering sustainable outcomes for communities.

You will work closely with clients, contractors, and internal teams, contributing to delivery excellence and supporting our collaborative, growth-oriented culture.

By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to work and collaborate with interstate and international offices.

How you’ll make a difference

• Lead multi-discipline design delivery, aligning scope and outcomes with clients and contractors.
• Ensure design decisions uphold governance, safety, and technical quality throughout.
• Manage design programs and budgets, proactively addressing risks to meet commitments.
• Chair design reviews and technical forums (e.g., HAZID/HAZOP).
• Drive digital delivery (3D models/BIM) and promote sustainability.
• Collaborate with ANZ leaders on resource planning and project setup.
• Support bids with clear design strategies and mentor emerging technical leaders.

Qualifications

The qualities that help you thrive:

• Relevant engineering qualifications and consulting/design management experience.
• Proven experience in delivering water infrastructure projects (e.g., treatment plants, pipelines).
• Track record of managing large, complex designs within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Strong communication skills with effective stakeholder engagement.
• Leadership and coordination skills with a collaborative mindset.
• Familiarity with D&C/alliancing, risk management, and safety processes.
• Experience in digital delivery (e.g., BIM/model coordination) is a plus.

If you don’t tick every box, we still want to hear from you — your potential and mindset matter. All applications will be considered.

Additional Information

• By joining us, you’ll collaborate with teams across Australia, New Zealand and our global network, accessing diverse projects and professional growth opportunities.
• We welcome flexible working arrangements and strive to accommodate individual needs and preferences.
• We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why you’ll love working with us

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, part‑time, job‑sharing and hybrid options
• Purchase up to 6 weeks’ additional annual leave per year
• Volunteer and representation leave
• Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other public holidays for those that suit you better

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we, our clients and our communities live and work around 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.