Engineering Manager - Projects & Innovation

Harrison McMillan Pty Ltd; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Harrison McMillan Pty Ltd in Adelaide seeks an Engineering Manager – Projects & Innovation to provide strategic leadership across an NPD and R&D project portfolio. You will guide concept development, prototyping, validation, and implementation while ensuring safety, quality, and financial performance.

A multidisciplinary team reports to you, focusing on trenchless pipeline rehabilitation technologies. You will drive governance, budgeting, and cross-functional collaboration with Operations,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in engineering project management, product development, or R&D in industrial settings.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams through complex lifecycles.
• Proven governance, budgeting, scheduling, and reporting capabilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and governance for the Engineering Projects and Innovation team aligned with strategic objectives.
• Oversee planning, budgeting, scheduling, and performance reporting to stakeholders.
• Lead delivery of R&D and engineering projects from concept to handover with technical integrity.
• Coordinate cross-functional input to ensure successful integration of new technologies.
• Establish and enforce project management and engineering standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes, documentation, and system usage.
• Champion safety, quality, and environmental practices across engineering activities.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Scheduling

Risk management

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Project management software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

Postgraduate qualifications in Engineering Management or MBA (Desirable)

Tools

Project management software

Engineering documentation systems

Job description

Engineering Manager – Projects & Innovation

Position purpose and primary objectives:

The Engineering Projects & Innovation Manager provides strategic and technical leadership across this Company's engineering and research & development (R&D) project portfolio. This role is responsible for planning, developing, and delivering innovative engineering solutions that enhance company’s product performance, operational efficiency, and market competitiveness.

Reporting to the General Manager Operations, this position leads a multidisciplinary team to translate strategic innovation goals into viable projects through executing and guiding each phase from concept development and prototyping through to validation and implementation.

This role is to instil engineering excellence, project discipline, and effective collaboration across teams to drive technical advancement whilst maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, and financial performance. The Engineering Projects & Innovation Manager is central to shaping company’s engineering capabilities and contributing to the company’s reputation as an industry leader in trenchless pipeline rehabilitation technologies.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Leadership & Governance

• Provide leadership and direction for the Engineering Projects and Innovation team, ensuring alignment with company’s strategic and operational objectives.
• Contribute to operational planning and decision-making, supporting the GM Operations in achieving business performance and innovation goals.
• Build and develop a high-performing team that is ready to deliver on current and future projects.
• Establish and maintain a structured project governance process, covering the complete project lifecycle.
• Prepare and present project performance reports, budgets, and technical updates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and accountability across all engineering activities.

Engineering Project Development & Delivery

• Lead the delivery of R&D and engineering projects from concept through to handover to the Commercial team, ensuring technical integrity, schedule adherence, and budget control.
• Oversee and active involvement throughout the planning and execution of engineering design, testing, validation, and implementation activities.
• Coordinate cross-functional input from Operations, Quality, Purchasing and Commercial to ensure successful integration of new technologies and products.
• Implement consistent project management and engineering standards to drive predictability, repeatability, and efficiency in project delivery.
• Manage internal and external stakeholders to ensure clear communication, alignment, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure all projects achieve defined outcomes in performance, safety and quality.

Innovation & Technology Research & Development

• Drive a culture of innovation within the engineering team, encouraging creativity, continuous improvement, and applied research.
• Identify and develop emerging technologies, materials, and processes that support further innovation across company’s products.
• Collaborate with Parent group companies, suppliers, and research facilities to support joint development and testing initiatives.
• Oversee the design, fabrication, and evaluation of prototypes and trials that enhance operational performance aimed at reducing installation costs.
• Support the capture and protection of any intellectual property developed within the company.

Operational Excellence & Risk Management

• Establish and maintain best practice project management methodologies across all engineering and innovation activities.
• Develop, monitor, and control project budgets, schedules, and resource allocations.
• Identify and manage technical, operational, and commercial risks associated with engineering projects.
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering processes, documentation, and system utilisation.
• Ensure all projects comply with internal governance frameworks and relevant legislative or client requirements.

Quality, Safety & Environment (QSE)

• Champion a culture of safety, quality, and environmental responsibility across all engineering operations.
• Ensure all projects and activities comply with company’s Integrated Management System (IMS).
• Lead regular reviews of engineering risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
• Promote proactive health, safety, and environmental practices and continuous improvement in QSE performance.

Skills & Qualifications:

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering (or related discipline).
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in engineering project management, product development, or R&D within manufacturing, infrastructure, or industrial environments.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through complex project lifecycles.
• Demonstrated capability in project governance, budgeting, scheduling, and reporting.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Proficient in project management software and engineering documentation systems.

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualifications in Engineering Management, Project Management, or Business Administration.
• Experience working in a multinational corporate environment.
• Exposure to trenchless technologies, pipeline rehabilitation, or related infrastructure sectors.
• Experience with digital engineering platforms or innovation management systems.

Key Competencies & Attributes:

• Strategic and systems thinker with a strong engineering foundation.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to inspire, mentor, and develop technical teams.
• Strong commercial awareness with an ability to balance innovation, cost, and performance outcomes.
• Collaborative and confident communicator, able to build relationships across functions and geographies.
• Highly organised, disciplined, and results-focused.
• Resilient, proactive, and adaptable to changing project priorities.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, quality, and workplace safety.