Design Manager I Energy

  • Full-time
  • State/Province: Victoria
  • Business Group: DCS
  • Legal Entity: AECOM Australia Pty Ltd
  • Business Line: Energy
  • Work Location Model: Hybrid
  • Operating Group: International
  • Primary Location: AU - Melbourne, VIC - Collins Square

Company Description

Come and grow with us.

AECOM’s Energy practice provides a wide range of services from consulting and engineering design to energy engineering, energy procurement and construction (EPC) for power, energy efficiency, and renewable energy clients. Our understanding of the big picture – and the interconnection between generation, distribution, storage, and the demand side of the meter – allows us to deliver holistic strategies that improve and modernise next generation energy infrastructure. We connect knowledge and experience across our global framework to bring together a unique combination of engineers, planners, scientists, and project managers who advance cleaner, secure, and more sustainable energy solutions.

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.

Job Description

"Energy is an exciting place to be working as we continue to see changes in the way we generate, transmit and use electricity across all our markets as we work to decarbonise the industry." – Mark Lampard, Sector Director - Transmission & Distribution

Design management and leadership role as Design Manager across AECOM’s Energy markets.  In this role, you will be working with an established team of design, technical and project delivery consultants to lead the design phase for critical Transmission and Distribution related infrastructure projects across the Eastern States of Australia, based in AECOM’s Melbourne office.

This role will suit an established Design Manager or a Project Engineer with strong hands-on design experience, looking to step into a broader technical and leadership role.  You will be motivated to make a difference across a range of project types including major and complex projects where understanding client needs, leading design and engineering excellence, while collaborating across key stakeholder groups, are core parts of your skillset.

You will be part of an established team looking to elevate AECOMs multidisciplinary design reputation in the energy sector and lead integrated technical frameworks for major grid and related infrastructure.  This role offers exposure to complex, high-profile projects and the opportunity to build long-term client relationships while contributing to Australia’s energy transition projects. You will work across a range of energy infrastructure related projects including with industrial, aviation, healthcare and related buildings projects, delivering multi-disciplinary design solutions for a range of key clients.

You will also have scope to mentor, coach, and develop the next generation of design managers and project engineers.

How you’ll make a difference:

  • Lead as Design Manager across a portfolio of Transmission & Distribution projects (including substation and transmission line design), driving technical excellence and leadership, strategic oversight and robust engineering decision-making.
  • Work closely with Project Managers and Project Directors to ensure seamless project delivery, effective design coordination, proactive risk management and strong programme performance.
  • Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams across the energy and broader infrastructure sectors, fostering a culture of technical quality while mentoring and developing junior engineers.
  • Maintain a strong client-facing presence, managing technical interfaces, responding to RFQs and building trusted, long-term client relationships.
  • Apply strong commercial judgement to align scope, budget, schedule, and long‑term objectives while finding common ground among stakeholders.
  • Support business growth by contributing to bids and proposals, working alongside practice leaders and the Bids & Proposals team to produce competitive, well-crafted submissions.
  • Leverage AECOM’s Australian and global technical network to bring leading practices and cutting‑edge solutions.
  • Supports the development of a high-performance design culture based on accountability and continuous improvement, through mentoring, coaching and development of others across project, workshare and technical teams.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced Design Manager or Project Engineer looking to make a difference through project design and delivery in the Energy sector.  You will be known for your leadership abilities, bringing together diverse internal, client and external teams, gaining agreement on the design approach for major, complex energy projects.  Inclusive leadership and design rigour across engineering requirements will be your norm, along with an ability to problem-solve and experience in delivery of complex projects. 

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don’t tick all the boxes, you could still be a perfect fit for this role. Please apply, all applications will be considered.

  • Proven design and engineering leadership, able to integrate diverse technical disciplines to drive successful project delivery toward a shared goal for grid scale transmission projects.
  • Strong Transmission & Distribution background, with proven experience in substation design - Transmission Lines experience is advantageous.
  • Ideally 10+ years’ experience in a consultancy, client-side, or contractor environment delivering complex energy infrastructure projects.
  • Registration on the National Engineering Register in Australia will be required, ideally supported by a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) designation or equivalent international accreditation.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Australian standards, regulatory requirements, and industry codes across a range of design delivery models.
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and client engagement skills, with the ability to guide internal and client technical teams, influence outcomes, and contribute to business growth as a trusted advisor.
  • Ability to provide commercial judgement and pragmatism, understanding design and build cost considerations for clients.
  • A passion for mentoring and the development of others design and engineering technical abilities, helping the next generation of AECOM engineers to build their careers.

Additional Information

Why you’ll love working with us

  • Flexible work arrangements available, aligned with the market and client facing role requirements
  • Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year         
  • Volunteer and representation leave
  • Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

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.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Learn more about life at AECOM: LinkedIn, Facebook , Instagram, X, YouTube - explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!

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. Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here: Our vision for Reconciliation.

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.  Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

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 come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

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.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

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