Technical Director - Design Management (NSQEP) - Relocate to Australia

AECOM; Olney; Hybrid; GBP 94,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional annual leave

Flexible public holidays

Learning and development support

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an experienced Technical Director level Design Manager to shape the design and delivery of a major defence infrastructure programme. You will lead integrated teams across Australia and the UK, guiding multidisciplinary building designs within a robust nuclear safety framework.

You will provide strategic leadership with hands-on technical involvement, ensuring safety, quality, and performance across complex projects while mentoring professionals and fostering a strong safety

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Engineering or related technical discipline, postgraduate qualifications highly regarded.
• 25+ years' experience delivering complex defence/nuclear projects in highly regulated environments.
• Chartered status or professional membership with a recognised industry body.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams through complex design and project delivery.
• Strong technical background in design management or safety-critical/defence infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated design teams across Australia and the UK, creating a collaborative culture that delivers high-quality outcomes.
• Provide technical leadership across complex process systems, with focus on radiological waste management and supporting infrastructure.
• Guide design integration across multiple disciplines, resolving technical issues and managing project risks.
• Support the Design Lead with technical advice, program planning, and representation in senior forums.
• Mentor engineers and specialists, promoting nuclear safety culture and NSQEP capability growth.

Skills

Leadership

Design management

Nuclear safety

Stakeholder management

Multidisciplinary teams

Education

Engineering degree

Postgraduate qualifications

Job description

Job Description Our Adelaide team is looking for an experienced Technical Director level Design Manager to join one of Australia's most significant defence infrastructure projects.

This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior leadership role where you'll help shape the design and delivery of a complex, safety-critical programme. You'll lead integrated teams across Australia and the UK, bringing people together to solve technical challenges, maintain design quality and deliver successful project outcomes.

You'll provide technical leadership across a number of nuclear facilities, contributing to the delivery of safety-significant infrastructure within a robust nuclear safety framework. You'll combine strategic leadership with hands‑on technical involvement, guiding the development of multidisciplinary building designs while maintaining a strong assurance and governance focus.

Working closely with design teams and stakeholders, you'll help resolve complex technical issues, manage critical interfaces and influence key design decisions. Acting as a trusted technical authority, you'll provide challenge, undertake technical reviews and verification activities, and ensure the required standards of safety, quality and performance.

Extensive experience delivering major nuclear and defence projects, and working within highly regulated environments, is essential.

How you'll make a difference:

• Lead integrated design teams across Australia and the UK, creating a collaborative culture that delivers consistent, high-quality outcomes.
• Provide technical leadership across complex process engineering systems, with particular focus on radiological waste management and supporting infrastructure.
• Guide design integration across multiple disciplines, helping resolve technical issues, manage project risks and support successful project delivery.
• Support the Design Lead by providing technical advice, contributing to program planning and representing the project in senior technical, client and safety forums when required.
• Mentor engineers and technical specialists, building capability across the team while promoting a strong nuclear safety culture and supporting the development of NSQEP capability across the programme.
• Build trusted relationships with clients and key stakeholders, understanding their challenges and delivering practical, innovative solutions.
• Contribute to business growth by identifying opportunities, supporting client engagement and maintaining the highest standards of technical excellence.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Engineering or a related technical discipline, with relevant postgraduate qualifications highly regarded.
• More than 25 years' experience delivering complex projects within defence, nuclear or other highly regulated industries.
• Chartered status or professional membership with a recognised industry body.
• Experience working within an NSQEP framework is highly regarded. Candidates with the capability to work within an NSQEP environment, demonstrated through significant experience in nuclear, defence or other highly regulated industries, are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams through complex design and project delivery.
• Strong technical background in design management or the delivery of safety‑critical / defence infrastructure.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships at all levels.
• A track record of developing high‑performing teams, contributing to business growth and delivering successful project outcomes. Technical publications or conference presentations would be viewed favourably.

Please note, suitable AUKUS defence clearance is essential for this role.

Our global portfolio of work comprises the design of iconic and award‑winning buildings and landscapes. From strategic planning through to project realisation, the connections we make among people and place provide sustainable outcomes for our clients and the communities we serve. We place a premium on investing in digital capabilities and innovations which bring a unique consistency and efficiency to our scalable work. Together with our clients, we are working to evolve and elevate the built environment across sectors including social infrastructure, transit, technology and logistics, and commercial and corporate real estate, while focusing on solutions that promote long term health and wellbeing for all.

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We're committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company , a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality , #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer ., We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

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.

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 and @AECOM.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity serious. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in‑person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

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.

Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, full-time, part-time, job-sharing and hybrid work options

• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year
• Flex public holidays - swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better
• Continuous learning and growth - lunch and learns, professional development courses, financial study assistance, 5 days paid study leave, global career opportunities