Senior/Principal Designer (Heavy Machinery)

KBR Careers; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Defence project exposure

Job summary

KBR in Adelaide invites a Senior/Principal Designer to lead heavy machinery design across conveyors, cranes and material handling equipment. You will drive technical outcomes in a multidisciplinary team and mentor junior designers.

The role requires 8+ years in design and drafting, expert AutoCAD Plant 3D, and the ability to coordinate across mechanical, structural and electrical streams, with security clearance suitable for defence work.

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ experience in design and drafting focusing on heavy machinery systems.
• Experience designing conveyors, cranes or similar mechanical equipment.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Plant 3D (mandatory).
• Ability to lead design activities and coordinate across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of heavy machinery systems (conveyors, cranes, material handling).
• Develop and review 3D models and detailed drawings using AutoCAD Plant 3D.
• Ensure designs comply with engineering standards and project requirements.
• Coordinate inputs across mechanical, structural and electrical teams.
• Mentor junior designers and drafters.
• Contribute to design reviews, risk assessments and constructability reviews.
• Engage with clients and lead project coordination meetings; support on-site activities as needed.

Skills

Heavy machinery design

Leadership

Cross-discipline coordination

Clear communicator

Tools

AutoCAD Plant 3D

Revit

Job description

Title: Senior/Principal Designer (Heavy Machinery)

KBR is expanding our national capability and we’re looking for a Senior / Principal Designer (Heavy Machinery) to join our Adelaide team to support the delivery of complex engineering solutions across industrial and defence sectors. If you enjoy working across multidisciplinary projects, leading technical design outcomes, and operating in a collaborative, high-performing engineering environment — we’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of heavy machinery systems, including conveyors, cranes, and material handling equipment
• Develop and review 3D models and detailed drawings using AutoCAD Plant 3D (essential)
• Ensure designs comply with relevant engineering standards, codes, and project requirements
• Coordinate design inputs across multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical, structural, and electrical
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior designers and drafters
• Review and interpret engineering specifications, vendor data, and technical documentation
• Contribute to design reviews, risk assessments, and constructability reviews
• Support client engagement, technical discussions, and project coordination meetings
• Assist with site activities, including inspections and technical verification where required

Skills & Experience Required

• 8+ years’ experience in design and drafting, with a focus on heavy machinery systems
• Proven experience designing conveyors, cranes, or similar mechanical/industrial equipment
• Strong proficiency in AutoCAD Plant 3D (mandatory)
• Experience with additional CAD tools such as Revit (advantageous)
• Demonstrated ability to lead design activities and coordinate across disciplines
• Strong understanding of engineering standards, compliance, and safety requirements
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, multidisciplinary project environments
• Clear communicator who builds strong relationships and thrives in a team-focused culture

Security & Eligibility Requirements

• Australian Citizenship (mandatory)
• Ability to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Baseline Security Clearance
• Willingness to work on Defence-related projects in line with security protocols

About KBR

At KBR, we deliver real solutions with real impact — from national Defence programs to critical infrastructure projects. You’ll join a supportive, people-first environment with opportunities to grow, lead, and innovate. Work on high-profile industrial and defence projects. Industry-recognised technical leadership and expertise. Flexible working arrangements. Strong wellbeing and team culture. Clear pathways for leadership or technical advancement. KBR is renowned for working in partnership with our clients and construction partners to deliver exceptional outcomes, underpinned by our collaborative approach and “One Team” philosophy.

KBR values

Our KBR Values– We Value Our People, We Deliver, We Are People of Integrity, We Empower, We Are a Team of Teams.

We Value Our People– We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential.

We Deliver– We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high-quality, technology‑led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders.

We Are People of Integrity– We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business.

We Empower– We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision‑makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed.

We Are a Team of Teams– We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, more effective company.

We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals.

Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries.

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