Lead Project Architect - Defence & Nuclear Infrastructure

AECOM; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global well-being program

Industry-leading technology & flexible

Hybrid work options

Extra annual leave (up to 6 weeks)

Flexible public holidays

Professional development & study leave

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director - Project Architect to lead the design and delivery of complex defence, research and nuclear facilities. You will guide multidisciplinary teams from concept through delivery, balancing design excellence with safety and regulatory requirements.

Your leadership will shape project direction, manage interfaces and ensure design integrity while engaging clients and stakeholders to align objectives across delivery stages. This role offers hybrid work options.

Qualifications

• Accredited architecture degree with Australian registration or eligibility.
• 10–15+ years of architecture experience, including leadership on complex, safety-critical projects.
• Proven experience as Project Architect and/or Principal Consultant on medium to large-scale projects.
• Experience in defence, laboratories, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or nuclear facilities.
• Strong knowledge of Defence design standards, government delivery frameworks, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience applying safety-in-design, human factors and complex systems integration in high-hazard environments.
• Australian citizenship or eligibility for AUKUS clearance; NSQEP recognition/postgraduate qualifications valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design and delivery of complex defence, research, and nuclear infrastructure projects.
• Act as Project Architect, maintaining design intent across all project stages.
• Oversee multidisciplinary design coordination across architecture, structures, services and systems.
• Translate regulatory requirements into architectural design responses with SME input.
• Ensure compliance with Defence, NCC, IAEA and nuclear frameworks.
• Lead client and stakeholder engagement to align objectives.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and drive delivery excellence.

Education

Architecture degree with Australian registration

Job description

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director - Project Architect to lead the design and delivery of complex defence, research and nuclear facilities. You will guide multidisciplinary teams from concept through delivery, balancing design excellence with safety and regulatory requirements.

Your leadership will shape project direction, manage interfaces and ensure design integrity while engaging clients and stakeholders to align objectives across delivery stages. This role offers hybrid work options.