Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: UGL Limited

Location: Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Engineering & Design Management / Operations

Date Posted: October 1, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage the design function for complex transport, technology, and critical infrastructure projects, ensuring engineering excellence and successful project delivery from concept through to execution.

• Coordinate and direct multidisciplinary design and engineering teams, fostering a high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement, innovation, and adherence to safety and quality standards.

• Oversee all aspects of the design process, including governance, assurance, risk management, verification, and validation, to ensure alignment with client, operational, and project-specific requirements.

• Drive collaboration with internal teams, technology partners, clients, and stakeholders to deliver innovative and fit-for-purpose engineering solutions that meet stringent project deadlines and budgetary constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity within UGL's Transport & Technology business, requiring significant experience in managing complex engineering design outcomes for large-scale infrastructure projects. The emphasis on multidisciplinary teams, governance, risk, and stakeholder engagement aligns it with strategic operations management within an engineering context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design and engineering teams throughout the entire project lifecycle, from initiation to final delivery.

• Manage design quality, governance, assurance, and compliance activities, ensuring all outputs meet regulatory, client, and internal standards.

• Oversee and facilitate design reviews, verification processes, and validation activities to confirm that design solutions are robust and meet all specified requirements.

• Ensure design outputs are meticulously aligned with customer expectations, operational needs, safety protocols, and overarching project objectives.

• Monitor project schedules, budgets, and resource allocation, implementing proactive measures to achieve key delivery milestones and financial targets.

• Provide critical technical leadership and support during tender development, bid, and proposal phases, contributing to winning new business opportunities.

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to project teams, senior management, and external stakeholders, offering expert guidance on complex engineering challenges.

• Foster strong collaboration and communication channels between internal engineering departments, technology partners, suppliers, and subcontractors to ensure seamless project execution.

• Proactively identify, assess, and manage technical risks, developing and implementing effective mitigation strategies to safeguard project integrity and outcomes.

• Mentor and develop engineers within the team, cultivating a culture of engineering excellence, continuous improvement, and pioneering innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a comprehensive management scope, encompassing technical leadership, team management, project controls (schedule, budget, risk), and strategic contributions to business development. This indicates a role that requires strong operational oversight of the design process within a project delivery framework.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree qualifications in Engineering or a closely related technical discipline. Experience:

• Extensive experience in delivering complex engineering, technology, or infrastructure projects, demonstrating a strong track record of success.

• Proven experience leading and managing design and engineering teams within demanding, complex project environments.

• Experience operating within highly regulated or safety-critical industry sectors. Required Skills:

• Engineering Management: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage engineering functions and multidisciplinary teams effectively.

• Design Governance & Assurance: Expertise in establishing and maintaining robust design governance frameworks, quality assurance processes, and compliance protocols.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional skills in building relationships, communicating effectively, and influencing a diverse range of stakeholders, including clients, partners, and internal teams.

• Project Lifecycle Management: Comprehensive understanding and practical application of managing engineering and design across the full project lifecycle.

• Technical Leadership: Ability to provide authoritative technical guidance, problem-solve complex issues, and drive engineering excellence.

• Risk Management: Proficient in identifying, assessing, and mitigating technical and project-related risks.

• Multidisciplinary Team Coordination: Proven success in coordinating and integrating diverse engineering disciplines to achieve common project goals.

• Budget & Schedule Management: Strong capability in overseeing and controlling project budgets and schedules to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery.

• Systems Engineering: Experience with systems engineering principles, methodologies, and application in complex project contexts.

• Infrastructure Project Delivery: Deep understanding of the processes and challenges associated with delivering major infrastructure projects.

Preferred Skills:

• Eligibility for or current registration as a Professional Engineer, Queensland (RPEQ).

• Experience with Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), Operational Technology (OT), or critical operational systems.

• Familiarity with systems assurance, software engineering, DevSecOps, and cloud-based solutions.

• Knowledge of data analytics, business intelligence, and digital technologies implementation.

• Experience with specific systems such as CCTV, access control, public address, communications systems, SCADA, or control systems.

• Exposure to communications, fibre, and networking infrastructure design.

• Background in rail, road, tunnel, defence, or aviation sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The RPEQ requirement is a critical technical qualification for engineering leadership roles in Queensland, indicating a strong emphasis on professional engineering standards and local regulatory compliance. The list of preferred technical areas suggests the company operates in sophisticated technology and infrastructure domains.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Delivery Case Studies: Showcase examples of complex engineering and design projects managed, highlighting your role, team leadership, and the successful integration of various engineering disciplines.

• Design Governance Frameworks: Examples of implemented design governance structures, quality assurance plans, and compliance checklists that you have developed or managed.

• Risk Mitigation Strategies: Documented instances of identifying, analyzing, and mitigating technical risks within engineering projects, with a focus on the process and outcomes.

• Stakeholder Management Plans: Evidence of strategic stakeholder engagement approaches used in past projects, detailing communication plans and successful resolution of complex stakeholder challenges.

Process Documentation:

• Design Workflow Optimization: Demonstrate experience in designing, documenting, and optimizing engineering and design workflows to improve efficiency, quality, and delivery timelines.

• Verification & Validation Processes: Provide examples of established processes for design verification and validation, including methodologies and tools used to ensure technical integrity.

• Cross-functional Integration Protocols: Detail processes you've implemented for seamless collaboration and information exchange between multidisciplinary engineering teams and external partners.

• Technical Risk Management Procedures: Outline your approach to formalizing technical risk management within the design phase, including reporting and escalation protocols.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role, a portfolio should emphasize not just technical design output, but the management of the design process. This includes demonstrating leadership in process definition, risk management, quality control, and stakeholder collaboration. The ability to articulate the "how" behind project success through documented processes and case studies is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the senior nature of the role (10+ years experience), RPEQ requirements, and the strategic importance of infrastructure projects in Brisbane, a competitive salary is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers in major Australian cities, the estimated annual salary range for this position is AUD $180,000 - $250,000, depending on qualifications, specific experience, and negotiation. Benefits:

• Career Development: Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within UGL's extensive project portfolio.

• Leadership Opportunities: Exposure to leading significant national infrastructure programs and developing leadership skills.

• Project Exposure: Work on some of Australia's most critical and high-profile transport, technology, and infrastructure projects.

• Collaborative Environment: Join a team of highly skilled professionals in a supportive and innovative work setting.

• Competitive Remuneration Package: Includes salary, potential for performance-based bonuses, and other standard employee benefits.

• Ongoing Training & Upskilling: Access to learning resources and development programs to enhance technical and leadership capabilities.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 38-40 hours per week. However, given the nature of project delivery, flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines, which could involve occasional extended hours or weekend work, particularly during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical compensation for senior engineering management roles in Australia, specifically in a major city like Brisbane, and factoring in the specialized requirements like RPEQ. Benefits are inferred from the company's description of growth opportunities and standard large corporate offerings.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Construction, and Maintenance Services, with a specialization in critical infrastructure projects, particularly within the Transport & Technology sector. UGL is a key player in delivering complex solutions for Australia's infrastructure needs.

Company Size: UGL Limited is a significant entity within its industry, suggesting a large organizational structure with numerous employees across various departments and project sites. This typically implies established processes, diverse career paths, and a robust operational framework.

Founded: UGL has a long-standing history in Australia, with roots tracing back decades, indicating a stable and experienced organization with a deep understanding of the infrastructure and services market. This history suggests a culture that values experience, reliability, and long-term project success.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The Transport & Technology business unit likely comprises specialized engineering disciplines, project management, and operational support functions.

• Reporting: The Design Manager reports to the Head of Engineering, indicating a clear hierarchy within the engineering function and a direct line of accountability for design outcomes.

• Collaboration: Expect extensive cross-functional collaboration with project managers, commercial teams, construction leads, technology partners, and client representatives.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using data analytics and insights to inform design decisions and optimize solutions.

• Process Optimization: A strong focus on refining design and engineering workflows to enhance efficiency, quality, and risk management.

• Agile & Iterative Approaches: While formal project management methodologies are key, a degree of agility and iterative development may be applied, especially in technology-focused aspects of projects.

Company Website: https://www.ugllimited.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: UGL's positioning as a provider of critical infrastructure services implies a culture that prioritizes safety, reliability, quality, and timely project delivery. The Transport & Technology division likely operates at the forefront of innovation within these sectors.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the engineering and design operations of UGL. It's a management role with significant responsibility for technical outcomes, team leadership, and project success. It sits above individual contributor engineers and junior design leads, focusing on strategic oversight and operational execution of the design function.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager reports to the Head of Engineering, indicating a direct link to senior leadership within the engineering discipline. This position likely has direct reports from various engineering disciplines involved in the design process.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's influence is critical to the overall success of major transport and infrastructure projects. Their ability to ensure robust, compliant, and efficient designs directly impacts project cost, schedule, safety, and long-term operational performance. They are a key driver of value realization and risk mitigation from the project's inception.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Leadership: Potential to advance to roles like Head of Engineering, Director of Engineering, or Program Director, overseeing larger portfolios and broader strategic initiatives.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific technology areas (e.g., ITS, OT, systems engineering) or project types (e.g., major rail infrastructure).

• Cross-Functional Roles: Transition into broader project management, operations management, or business development roles within UGL, leveraging their deep technical and project delivery understanding.

• Mentorship & Training: Develop leadership and mentoring skills by guiding and developing engineering talent within the organization, contributing to the company's knowledge base and succession planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Design Manager in a company like UGL typically involves progression from technical specialist to team lead, then to management of larger functions or specific project portfolios. The emphasis on RPEQ and complex infrastructure suggests a path toward chartered professional status and leadership in critical engineering domains.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, suggesting a primary base within UGL's Brisbane office or potentially project-specific site offices as required. The environment will likely be professional and corporate, supporting management and administrative functions.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Brisbane CBD & Inner Suburbs, Queensland, Australia. This central location offers accessibility via public transport and proximity to key business and government stakeholders.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office will serve as a central point for team meetings, design reviews, stakeholder consultations, and strategic planning. Expect a dynamic environment with opportunities for interaction with various project teams and departments.

• Technology & Tools: Access to standard corporate IT infrastructure, project management software, and potentially specialized design and engineering software relevant to the Transport & Technology sector.

• Team Interaction: Frequent engagement with direct reports, peers in project management, and senior leadership, fostering a culture of open communication and collaborative problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule will be full-time, likely aligning with typical business hours in Brisbane. However, the demands of major project delivery may necessitate flexibility, including occasional extended hours or weekend work to meet critical deadlines or address urgent project issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in a major city like Brisbane for a company involved in critical infrastructure suggests a professional office environment designed for collaboration, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement, with a strong emphasis on operational efficiency and project delivery timelines.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and application to assess alignment with the core requirements, particularly RPEQ eligibility and extensive project leadership experience.

• Technical Interview: A discussion with senior engineering leaders (e.g., Head of Engineering) focusing on your technical expertise, approach to design management, risk mitigation strategies, and experience with relevant technologies. Expect questions on systems engineering, governance, and quality assurance.

• Managerial & Behavioral Interview: An assessment of your leadership style, team management capabilities, stakeholder engagement skills, and problem-solving approach. Situational questions will explore how you handle conflict, manage priorities, and foster team performance.

• Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your work, focusing on case studies that demonstrate your ability to manage complex design outcomes, lead multidisciplinary teams, and deliver successful project results. Prepare to discuss your role, challenges, solutions, and the impact of your contributions.

• Final Interview/Offer: A final discussion, potentially with higher-level management, to confirm fit and extend an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 high-impact projects that best showcase your design management capabilities, particularly those involving complex infrastructure or technology.

• Focus on Process & Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the project's scope, your specific role and responsibilities, the design challenges faced, the processes you implemented (governance, risk, collaboration), the solutions developed, and the quantifiable outcomes (e.g., cost savings, schedule improvements, quality enhancements, safety records).

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize your leadership in coordinating multidisciplinary teams, managing stakeholders, and driving engineering excellence.

• Data Visualization: Use clear visuals, diagrams, and metrics to support your presentation and demonstrate the tangible impact of your work.

• RPEQ Relevance: If applicable, highlight projects where your RPEQ-level decision-making or oversight was crucial.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical design challenge or problem-solving scenario related to transport or infrastructure projects. Focus on your structured approach, risk assessment, and stakeholder considerations.

• Leadership Dilemma: Anticipate questions about managing difficult team members, resolving design conflicts between disciplines, or handling pressure from stakeholders regarding project timelines or budgets.

• Technical Deep Dive: Brush up on key technical areas mentioned in the preferred skills, such as systems engineering, ITS, OT, or safety-critical systems, as you may be asked to discuss them in detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior management role like this will heavily scrutinize leadership, strategic thinking, and process management capabilities. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly articulates the "how" and "why" behind successful project delivery, rather than just the "what," will be essential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or similar for schedule management, resource allocation, and project tracking.

• Collaboration Platforms: Experience with tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for team communication, document sharing, and real-time collaboration.

• Document Management Systems: Familiarity with systems for managing large volumes of design documentation, specifications, and reports (e.g., SharePoint, Aconex).

• ERP/Financial Systems: Understanding of how design and project costs integrate with broader enterprise resource planning or financial management systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence Tools: Exposure to BI platforms like Power BI or Tableau for creating dashboards and reports on project progress, budget adherence, and design performance metrics.

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to use Excel or more advanced statistical tools for analyzing project data to identify trends, risks, and areas for improvement.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a primary sales role, understanding how design requirements feed into client management and project scope definition within CRM systems could be beneficial.

• Workflow Automation: Familiarity with concepts of workflow automation in design processes, potentially through specialized engineering software or process management tools, to improve efficiency and reduce manual tasks.

• CAD/BIM Software: While not directly operating the software, a strong understanding of CAD (e.g., AutoCAD) and BIM (e.g., Revit) principles and their role in the design lifecycle is essential for effective management.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager, the emphasis is on understanding how various tools facilitate process management, collaboration, and reporting, rather than deep technical proficiency in every single tool. The ability to leverage technology for oversight and efficiency is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Engineering Excellence: A commitment to high standards of technical quality, innovation, and problem-solving in all design activities.

• Safety First: An unwavering dedication to safety in design and operations, recognizing the critical nature of infrastructure projects.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where multidisciplinary teams work cohesively, sharing knowledge and supporting each other to achieve project goals.

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding ethical standards and taking ownership of responsibilities, ensuring transparency and reliability in all dealings.

• Customer Focus: A dedication to understanding and meeting client needs, delivering solutions that are fit-for-purpose and add significant value.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for enhancing processes, technologies, and personal skills to drive better outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Encouraging a highly integrated approach where design, engineering, project management, and construction teams work in lockstep, with open lines of communication.

• Constructive Feedback: Promoting a culture where feedback is actively sought and given constructively, leading to iterative improvements in design and project execution.

• Knowledge Sharing: Facilitating the sharing of lessons learned, best practices, and technical insights across projects and teams to build organizational capability.

📝 Enhancement Note: UGL's focus on critical infrastructure suggests a culture that values robustness, reliability, and meticulous execution. The company's slogan, "Where great projects begin with great people," implies a strong emphasis on employee contribution and collaborative achievement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Complex Interdependencies: Navigating the intricate relationships between multiple engineering disciplines, technology partners, and project phases to ensure cohesive design outcomes.

• Balancing Competing Priorities: Effectively managing stakeholder demands, budget constraints, schedule pressures, and evolving technical requirements simultaneously.

• Driving Innovation in Traditional Sectors: Introducing new technologies and innovative design approaches within established, often risk-averse, infrastructure environments.

• Ensuring Compliance in Evolving Regulations: Staying abreast of and ensuring adherence to complex and potentially changing regulatory standards in safety-critical industries.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Leadership Training: Access to programs focused on strategic leadership, financial management, and executive decision-making.

• Industry-Specific Certifications: Opportunities to pursue advanced certifications in project management (e.g., PMP), systems engineering, or specialized technical domains relevant to transport and infrastructure.

• Mentorship Programs: Participation in formal or informal mentorship programs, either as a mentee to gain insights from senior leaders or as a mentor to develop leadership skills.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Gaining experience across a wide spectrum of major infrastructure projects, broadening technical knowledge and project delivery expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in large-scale engineering and construction projects, requiring strong problem-solving skills and adaptability. The growth opportunities align with progression into broader leadership roles and specialized technical mastery.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Leadership Philosophy: "Describe your approach to leading multidisciplinary design teams on complex infrastructure projects. How do you foster collaboration and ensure engineering excellence?" (Prepare with examples of team structures, communication strategies, and quality assurance methods.)

• Risk Management in Design: "How do you identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks throughout the design lifecycle of a major transport or technology project? Provide a specific example." (Focus on your process, documentation, and proactive measures.)

• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: "Imagine a situation where key stakeholders have conflicting requirements for a critical design element. How would you navigate this to reach a resolution that meets project objectives?" (Prepare with examples of negotiation, communication, and compromise.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding UGL's Role: "What is your understanding of UGL's contribution to Australia's critical infrastructure, and how does this Design Manager role fit into that mission?" (Research UGL's projects, values, and strategic goals.)

• Fit with Operations Culture: "This role requires a collaborative approach and a focus on continuous improvement. Can you share an example of how you've fostered such a culture in a previous team?" (Align your experience with UGL's stated values.)

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success and impact of your design management function? What key performance indicators (KPIs) do you typically track?" (Discuss metrics related to quality, schedule, budget, safety, and stakeholder satisfaction.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, follow a clear story arc: Project Context -> Your Role & Responsibilities -> Challenges Faced -> Your Strategy & Actions (Process, Tools, Leadership) -> Outcomes & Impact -> Lessons Learned.

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the tangible results of your work (e.g., "Reduced design deviations by 15%," "Delivered project 3 weeks ahead of schedule," "Achieved 99.8% compliance rating").

• Focus on Management & Leadership: While technical aspects are important, emphasize your strategic decision-making, team leadership, process implementation, and problem-solving skills.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific technical challenges, your decision-making process, and how you managed team dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just technical competence, but robust leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of process management within complex project environments. Your portfolio is your key tool to illustrate these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the UGL Taleo career portal link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your extensive experience in engineering management, design governance, stakeholder engagement, and complex infrastructure project delivery, specifically mentioning any experience with transport or technology projects.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your years of experience, qualifications (including RPEQ if applicable), key responsibilities in previous roles, and quantifiable achievements related to project outcomes, team leadership, and process improvements.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experiences using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions and prepare specific case studies for your portfolio presentation, focusing on your management and leadership impact.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research UGL Limited, its Transport & Technology business, and its recent projects. Understand their values, mission, and the specific challenges and opportunities within Australia's infrastructure sector.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.