Design Project Manager

Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec; Western Australia; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

WGA, an AtkinsRéalis Company, is seeking a Design Manager to lead multidisciplinary design teams delivering Defence infrastructure projects in Australia. You will coordinate technical disciplines, manage stakeholders, and ensure design integrity from scope definition through delivery.

You will steer internal resources and partner teams, oversee multiple projects, and drive risk management, scopes, and technical quality across complex programmes.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience delivering infrastructure projects within Defence or similarly governed environments.
• Proven experience leading the design process in a Design Manager/Project Manager/Design Lead role.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and align technical, commercial and programme objectives.
• Strong client and stakeholder engagement skills with a track record of productive relationships.
• Experience managing several projects or workstreams concurrently with competing technical requirements, budgets and priorities.
• Capability in defining scopes and reviewing technical reports, design documentation and deliverables.
• Proactive approach to design risk, constructability, interfaces and issue resolution.
• Commitment to high-quality engineering outcomes, professional development and continuous improvement.
• Ability to obtain AGSVA Baseline Security Clearance or higher and satisfy vetting and police checks.
• Australian Citizenship is required due to Defence security requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and coordination of multidisciplinary design teams delivering Defence infrastructure projects.
• Lead the design management process, coordinating technical disciplines, project requirements and stakeholder expectations.
• Direct and coordinate internal engineering resources, specialist consultants and partners through the design lifecycle.
• Develop strong client and stakeholder relationships as a trusted contact during project delivery.
• Oversee a portfolio of projects at different development stages and balance programme, budget and risk priorities.
• Lead development and review of project scopes, design documentation, and technical reports.
• Identify and manage design interfaces, risks, changes and emerging issues.
• Contribute to Defence capability development and improvements to design management processes and quality.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Multidisciplinary coordination

Project delivery

Design risk management

Continuous improvement

Job description

• Key position with long-term opportunities
• Supportive team environment

About us:

WGA, an AtkinsRéalis Company, is a multidisciplinary engineering and project management consultancy delivering complex infrastructure projects across Australia and New Zealand. Combining deep local knowledge with global capability, we connect our clients to an extensive network of engineering specialists, innovative solutions, and industry-leading expertise across the transportation, water, power and renewables, ports and marine, defence, resources, and industrial sectors.

With a team of over 800 people, WGA provides a rich, diverse, and empowered workplace and offers you a chance to work alongside some of the best in the business. We offer a collaborative work environment that promotes mutual learning, respect, dignity, cultural openness, and an appreciation for diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

At WGA, you'll find inspiring career pathways, opportunities to learn from technical specialists, and the support to grow professionally and personally. We offer a range of employee benefits, including industry-leading parental leave, flexible working arrangements, work-from-home opportunities, and learning and development programs designed to help you succeed.

The role

As Design Manager, you will take a leading role in the successful delivery of multidisciplinary engineering projects within the Defence sector. Working closely with our clients, project teams and specialist partners, you will provide the coordination and leadership required to take projects from scope definition through design and delivery.

What you'll be responsible for

• Provide overall leadership and coordination of multidisciplinary design teams delivering Defence infrastructure projects.
• Lead the design management process, bringing together technical disciplines, project requirements and stakeholder expectations to achieve practical and well-coordinated outcomes.
• Direct and coordinate internal engineering resources, specialist consultants and other project partners throughout the design lifecycle.
• Develop strong working relationships with clients and key stakeholders, acting as a trusted point of contact throughout project delivery.
• Oversee a portfolio of projects at different stages of development, balancing competing priorities across programme, budget, risk and technical requirements.
• Lead the development and review of project scopes, design documentation, technical reports and other key project deliverables.
• Identify and manage design interfaces, risks, changes and emerging issues to support successful project outcomes.
• Contribute to the continued development of our Defence capability, including improvements to design management processes, project delivery and technical quality.

What you'll bring

We are looking for someone with a strong background in engineering design and project delivery who can provide leadership across complex, multidisciplinary projects. Ideally, you will bring:

• Demonstrated experience delivering infrastructure projects within Defence or another technically complex and highly governed environment.
• Proven experience leading the design process in a Design Manager, Project Manager, Design Lead or similar role.
• The ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and maintain alignment between technical, commercial and programme objectives.
• Strong client and stakeholder engagement skills, with a track record of developing productive, long-term professional relationships.
• Experience managing several projects or workstreams concurrently, including competing technical requirements, budgets, programmes and priorities.
• Strong capability in defining scopes and reviewing technical reports, design documentation and project deliverables.
• A proactive approach to design risk, constructability, interfaces and the resolution of technical issues.
• A commitment to high-quality engineering outcomes, professional development and continuous improvement.
• The ability to obtain and maintain an AGSVA Baseline Security Clearance or higher, including satisfying the relevant Australian Government security vetting and National Police Check requirements.
• Australian Citizenship, due to the security requirements associated with Defence projects. Candidates who are Australian Permanent Residents and are in the final stages of obtaining citizenship, such as awaiting their citizenship ceremony, may also be considered.

About working with us:

At WGA, we believe a diverse workplace fosters unique and progressive ideas and drives our culture of learning and knowledge sharing. We welcome applications from all candidates from all backgrounds. Join us and advance your career while enjoying the unique benefits and opportunities that come with being part of a local team with global reach.

WGA is a Work180 endorsed workplace for women, find out more atWGA | WORK180 Endorsed Employer