Engineering / Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Engineering / Design Manager

Company: Aurecon

Location: Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Engineering Management / Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-23

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering and design activities across complex infrastructure projects, ensuring seamless integration from concept to delivery.

• Drive critical operations processes such as safety in design, technical assurance, and engineering governance to uphold the highest standards of project execution and risk mitigation.

• Manage technical interfaces, priorities, and project constraints, fostering a collaborative environment to achieve safe, timely, and high-quality engineering outcomes.

• Build and maintain strong client relationships through effective communication and proactive engagement, representing Aurecon's commitment to delivering impactful solutions.

• Resolve design issues, manage technical risks, and oversee engineering changes within project frameworks, ensuring operational efficiency and project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Engineering / Design Manager," the responsibilities heavily lean into operational oversight of the design process, including governance, risk management, and stakeholder coordination. This positions the role as a critical operational function within the engineering and design lifecycle, rather than a purely technical design role. The "Industrial Mechanical" team context suggests a focus on operational assets and infrastructure.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee multidisciplinary engineering and design efforts from initial concept development through to final project delivery, ensuring alignment with project objectives and Aurecon's operational standards.

• Manage critical engineering interfaces, establish clear priorities, and ensure timely delivery of all design-related deliverables, focusing on safety, quality, and efficiency.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with project managers, discipline leads, clients, contractors, and other delivery partners, ensuring effective communication and alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

• Champion and implement robust safety in design principles, technical assurance protocols, and engineering governance frameworks, conducting rigorous design reviews to mitigate risks and ensure compliance.

• Proactively identify, assess, and resolve design issues, manage technical risks, and control engineering changes and project constraints to maintain project integrity and operational performance.

• Cultivate and strengthen trusted client relationships by maintaining clear, consistent, and effective project communication, ensuring client satisfaction and fostering long-term partnerships.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of engineering processes and methodologies, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement in design coordination and project execution efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a strong operational focus on managing the process of engineering and design, rather than the direct technical execution of design tasks. This includes coordination, governance, risk management, and stakeholder communication, all critical elements of operational excellence in a project delivery environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, ideally Mechanical Engineering. Broader engineering backgrounds will be considered.

Experience: Demonstrated experience in coordinating multidisciplinary engineering and design on complex projects, with a strong project delivery focus.

Required Skills:

• Multidisciplinary Engineering Coordination: Proven ability to manage and integrate design activities across various engineering disciplines (e.g., mechanical, electrical, civil) from concept to delivery.

• Project Delivery Focus: Strong understanding of project lifecycles, with the capability to manage interfaces, priorities, risks, and technical outcomes effectively.

• Safety in Design: In-depth knowledge and practical application of safety in design principles, ensuring that safety is a core consideration throughout the engineering process.

• Technical Assurance & Governance: Expertise in establishing and maintaining technical assurance frameworks and engineering governance processes to ensure quality, compliance, and risk mitigation.

• Client Engagement & Stakeholder Management: Excellent skills in building rapport, managing expectations, and communicating effectively with clients, internal teams, and external partners.

• Technical Risk Management: Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks associated with engineering designs and project execution.

• Problem-Solving: A practical, collaborative approach to identifying and resolving complex design and project-related challenges.

• Communication Skills: Superior written and verbal communication abilities for clear and effective interaction with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Industrial Mechanical Systems: Specific experience or understanding of industrial mechanical systems and their operational requirements.

• Design Review Facilitation: Experience in leading and facilitating formal design review meetings and workshops.

• Contract Management (Engineering Aspects): Familiarity with managing engineering aspects of contracts and interfaces with contractors.

• Digital Engineering Tools: Proficiency with relevant digital engineering platforms and collaboration tools for design management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The AI-identified "5-10 Years" experience level is a reasonable inference for a management role overseeing complex projects. The emphasis on "project delivery focus" and "coordinating multidisciplinary engineering" points towards operational management skills rather than pure technical design expertise. The inclusion of "Safety in Design" and "Technical Assurance" underscores the operational governance aspect of this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Coordination Case Studies: Showcase instances where you successfully coordinated multidisciplinary engineering and design efforts on complex projects, detailing your role, the challenges faced, and the operational methodologies employed.

• Process Improvement Initiatives: Provide examples of how you have identified and implemented improvements in engineering design processes, workflow optimization, or technical assurance protocols to enhance efficiency and quality.

• Risk Management Documentation: Include evidence of your ability to manage technical risks, detailing risk assessment strategies, mitigation plans, and their successful implementation in past projects.

• Stakeholder Management Examples: Present case studies demonstrating your approach to client engagement and stakeholder management, highlighting how you built trust and ensured effective communication to achieve project goals.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Documented examples of designing or optimizing engineering design workflows, including process mapping, identification of bottlenecks, and implementation of efficiency improvements.

• Technical Governance Frameworks: Examples of contributing to or implementing technical governance frameworks, including procedures for design reviews, assurance checks, and quality control measures.

• Performance Measurement: Evidence of how you have tracked and reported on key operational metrics related to design delivery, such as timeliness, budget adherence for design phases, quality scores, and risk reduction.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role managing the process of engineering and design, a portfolio demonstrating operational effectiveness is crucial. This includes showcasing how candidates manage complexity, ensure quality and safety through defined processes, and handle stakeholder interactions. The emphasis is on demonstrating how they manage these operational aspects, not just the technical outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Engineering / Design Managers with 5-10 years of experience in Perth, Australia, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between AUD $130,000 - $180,000 per annum. This estimate considers the seniority of the role, the specialized skills required, and the cost of living and market rates in Perth.

Benefits:

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Aurecon offers flexibility, allowing for adjustments to work schedules and arrangements to support work-life balance.

• Part-time Options: The company is open to discussing part-time employment arrangements, providing further flexibility for individuals.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, skill development, and career progression within a leading engineering consultancy.

• Health and Wellbeing Programs: Access to programs and resources designed to support the physical and mental wellbeing of employees.

• Superannuation Contributions: Standard employer contributions to retirement savings as per Australian regulations.

• Project Impact: The opportunity to work on significant infrastructure projects that contribute to community development and sustainability.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week, with a focus on achieving project milestones and operational efficiency. Flexibility in daily start and end times may be available, subject to project needs and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for similar roles in Perth, Australia. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation. The benefits are derived from the raw input and common offerings in the Australian professional services sector. The "Hybrid" work arrangement implies a balance between office-based collaboration and remote flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering Consultancy, Infrastructure, Sustainability, Built Environment. Aurecon operates within a sector critical for economic development and societal well-being, focusing on creating sustainable infrastructure solutions. The "Industrial Mechanical" team context suggests a specialization in operational assets, manufacturing facilities, or heavy industry infrastructure.

Company Size: Over 6,000 people across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. This indicates a large, established organization with diverse expertise, offering significant opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and exposure to a wide range of projects and operational challenges.

Founded: Founded in 2009 (formed from the merger of Connell Wagner, Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners, and Africon). This history provides a foundation of extensive experience and a robust reputation in the engineering and design consultancy space.

Team Structure:

• Industrial Mechanical Team: Likely a specialized group focused on mechanical engineering aspects of industrial projects, requiring strong coordination with other disciplines.

• Reporting Structure: The role reports into a senior project or operations leadership position, with direct management or oversight of design teams and interfaces.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role inherently requires close collaboration with project management, discipline leads (electrical, civil, structural), client representatives, and external contractors, emphasizing a highly integrated operational approach.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Aurecon emphasizes data analysis to inform project decisions and optimize operational outcomes.

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: A culture that encourages diverse perspectives and collaborative approaches to tackle complex engineering challenges.

• Innovation & Sustainability: A commitment to engineering possibilities and creating sustainable infrastructure solutions, driving innovation in design and delivery processes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Aurecon's positioning as a global engineering consultancy with a focus on sustainability and creating infrastructure that "makes life better" provides context for the operational values and project scope. The "Industrial Mechanical" team implies a focus on tangible, operational assets, requiring a practical and efficient approach to design management.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Management role within the operations of engineering design. It sits at a mid-to-senior level, requiring leadership and oversight of complex processes and stakeholder relationships, rather than solely individual technical contribution. The focus is on managing the delivery of engineering design as an operational function.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a senior leader within the project delivery or engineering management structure, likely a Project Director, Operations Manager, or similar. It requires effective communication and alignment with higher management on project status, risks, and operational performance.

Operations Impact: This role has a significant impact on project success by ensuring that engineering and design processes are executed efficiently, safely, and to a high standard. It directly influences project timelines, budgets, quality outcomes, client satisfaction, and the overall risk profile of projects, thereby impacting Aurecon's profitability and reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization Advancement: Deepen expertise in industrial mechanical systems or specific areas of engineering governance and assurance.

• Project Leadership Development: Progress into roles with broader project management responsibilities or leadership of larger, more complex multidisciplinary projects.

• Operations Management Progression: Transition into senior operations management roles, overseeing multiple projects or a larger portfolio of engineering services.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop advanced client relationship skills, leading to opportunities in business development or key account management.

• Mentorship and Team Development: Opportunity to mentor junior engineers and designers, contributing to the development of future talent within Aurecon's operational teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for this role moves beyond pure technical engineering into managing the operational execution of design. Growth opportunities are geared towards broader leadership, strategic operational oversight, and client-facing roles, reflecting its position in the management hierarchy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. This suggests a blend of office-based collaboration and remote work. The office is likely designed to facilitate collaboration, team meetings, and focused work sessions.

Office Location(s): Perth, Western Australia. This specific location implies working within the Australian context, potentially with a focus on local projects and industries within Western Australia.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment will likely feature meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan workstations designed to encourage interaction and knowledge sharing among engineering and design teams.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to Aurecon's suite of digital engineering tools, project management software, and communication platforms necessary for managing design processes and collaborating remotely.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to interact with fellow engineering managers, discipline leads, project managers, and support staff, fostering a cohesive team dynamic essential for operational success.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the hybrid nature and project-driven environment may require flexibility to meet deadlines and client demands. The focus is on delivering outcomes rather than strict adherence to hours, aligning with modern operational management practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the work environment is a key aspect for operations professionals, requiring strong self-management and effective communication strategies to maintain productivity and team cohesion across different work settings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and resume by the recruitment team, focusing on alignment with core requirements and operational experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Hiring Manager to assess your technical background, leadership style, project coordination experience, and understanding of operations management principles in engineering. Be prepared to discuss your approach to managing multidisciplinary design teams and complex project interfaces.

• Technical/Case Study Assessment: This may involve a technical challenge or case study, likely focusing on a scenario related to managing a complex engineering design, resolving a technical risk, or optimizing a design workflow. Prepare to present your problem-solving approach, considering safety, quality, and efficiency.

• Team/Panel Interview: An opportunity to meet with other team members, discipline leads, or senior management. This stage assesses cultural fit, collaborative capabilities, and your ability to integrate into Aurecon's operational structure.

• Final Interview/Offer: A concluding discussion, potentially with senior leadership, to finalize terms and extend an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Operational Impact: For each project in your portfolio, clearly articulate your specific role in coordinating design operations, managing interfaces, driving safety/governance, and resolving technical challenges.

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your contributions. Examples include improvements in design delivery time, reduction in design errors, successful management of technical risks, or positive client feedback.

• Showcase Process Ownership: Include examples of process improvements you've implemented or managed within the design lifecycle. Detail the problem, your proposed solution, the implementation steps, and the resulting operational benefits.

• Focus on Collaboration: Demonstrate your ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders. Provide examples of how you facilitated communication, resolved conflicts, and fostered a collaborative design environment.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by key responsibility area, making it easy for reviewers to understand your capabilities and operational approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Aurecon's Values: Research Aurecon's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and client outcomes. Frame your responses and solutions in alignment with these values.

• Scenario-Based Problem Solving: Practice responding to hypothetical challenges related to managing design teams, handling scope changes, mitigating technical risks, or ensuring design compliance. Focus on structured problem-solving methodologies.

• Stakeholder Communication Practice: Prepare to articulate complex technical and operational issues clearly and concisely to different audiences, including technical experts and non-technical stakeholders.

• Safety and Governance Emphasis: Be ready to discuss your approach to embedding safety in design and maintaining robust engineering governance, as these are critical operational aspects for Aurecon.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review for this role will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to manage the operational aspects of engineering design. This means demonstrating structured approaches, risk mitigation strategies, stakeholder management skills, and a focus on efficiency and quality in the design delivery process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency in platforms like Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Asana, or similar for planning, tracking, and managing project timelines and deliverables.

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

• Design Software Integration: Familiarity with how engineering design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, SolidWorks) integrates into broader project workflows and how to manage design data effectively.

• Document Management Systems: Experience with systems for organizing, storing, and retrieving project documentation, ensuring version control and accessibility.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Reporting Tools: Ability to generate and interpret project status reports, risk registers, and performance dashboards.

• Data Analysis Software: Familiarity with basic data analysis tools or techniques to track design progress, identify trends, and support decision-making.

• Dashboarding Tools: Experience with tools like Power BI or Tableau is a plus for visualizing project performance and operational metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM (Client Relationship Management): While not a direct sales role, understanding CRM principles for managing client interactions and project communications is beneficial.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Awareness of or experience with tools that can automate repetitive tasks within the design or project management lifecycle.

• Integration Technologies: Understanding how different project systems and software platforms can be integrated to streamline data flow and improve operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role focuses on tools that support project management, team collaboration, and effective data handling within an engineering operations context. While direct design software proficiency might not be paramount, understanding how these tools integrate into the broader project delivery process is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Delivery: A commitment to high-quality execution, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and to specification, reflecting a strong operational discipline.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and teams work together cohesively to achieve common goals, essential for managing multidisciplinary projects.

• Innovation & Problem-Solving: Encouraging creative thinking and practical solutions to overcome complex engineering challenges, driving continuous improvement in design processes.

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding the highest ethical standards and taking ownership of responsibilities, crucial for maintaining trust with clients and stakeholders.

• Sustainability Focus: A dedication to creating infrastructure that benefits people and the planet, integrating sustainable practices into design and project execution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A proactive approach to breaking down silos between engineering disciplines, project management, and client teams to ensure seamless project flow.

• Open Communication & Feedback: Encouraging transparent communication channels and a culture where constructive feedback is welcomed to refine processes and improve outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and technical expertise across teams to elevate the collective operational capability.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aurecon's values emphasize a blend of technical excellence, collaborative spirit, and a forward-thinking approach to sustainability. For an operations-focused role, demonstrating how these values translate into daily work—through efficient processes, effective teamwork, and responsible decision-making—will be key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Multidisciplinary Complexity: Effectively coordinating diverse engineering disciplines, each with its own priorities, methodologies, and technical requirements, to ensure a cohesive design outcome.

• Balancing Project Demands with Operational Standards: Navigating competing pressures from project timelines and budgets while upholding Aurecon's rigorous standards for safety, quality, and technical assurance.

• Resolving Technical Conflicts: Mediating and resolving disagreements or conflicts between different engineering specializations or between design requirements and site constraints.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying abreast of new digital engineering tools, design methodologies, and sustainability standards, and integrating them effectively into project operations.

• Client Expectation Management: Continuously managing and aligning client expectations with project realities, particularly regarding scope, schedule, and technical deliverables.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Project Management Certifications: Opportunities to pursue certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2, enhancing project and operations management skills.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to Aurecon's internal leadership training to hone management, communication, and strategic decision-making capabilities.

• Specialized Technical Training: Further training in areas like safety in design, specific industrial systems, or advanced digital engineering tools.

• Industry Conferences and Forums: Participation in industry events to network, learn about emerging trends, and benchmark operational best practices.

• Mentorship: Guidance from senior leaders within Aurecon, providing insights into career progression and strategic operational thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the operational complexities inherent in managing large-scale engineering projects. Growth opportunities are geared towards enhancing both the technical and leadership aspects of operations management within the engineering sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you managed a complex multidisciplinary engineering design project from concept to delivery. What were the key operational challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your coordination, risk management, and stakeholder engagement strategies.)

• "How do you ensure safety in design is embedded throughout the engineering process, especially when managing diverse teams with varying priorities?" (Prepare to discuss your governance approach and proactive safety measures.)

• "Walk me through your process for managing technical risks and engineering changes on a project. How do you balance project constraints with the need for robust engineering solutions?" (Highlight your problem-solving methodology and decision-making criteria.)

• "How do you build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with clients and contractors in a project environment?" (Provide specific examples of your communication and engagement techniques.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Aurecon, and how do your values align with our commitment to sustainability and engineering possibilities?" (Research Aurecon's recent projects and sustainability initiatives.)

• "How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive environment within your engineering teams?" (Discuss your approach to team dynamics and conflict resolution.)

• "How do you measure success in your role as an Engineering/Design Manager, beyond project completion?" (Think about operational efficiency, client satisfaction, team development, and risk reduction.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, use a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or similar framework to clearly articulate the operational context, your responsibilities, the actions you took, and the measurable outcomes.

• Emphasize Process and Management: Focus on how you managed the design process, coordinated teams, mitigated risks, and ensured quality, rather than just the technical details of the design itself.

• Highlight Key Operations Skills: Explicitly call out your skills in coordination, governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and problem-solving as demonstrated through your project examples.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific decisions, challenges, and alternative approaches you might have considered. Demonstrate your analytical and critical thinking abilities.

• Connect to Aurecon's Needs: Tailor your examples to resonate with Aurecon's stated values and project types, showing how your operational experience is a direct fit for their needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating operational leadership, a structured approach to managing complex processes, and the ability to drive outcomes through effective coordination and stakeholder management, all within the context of Aurecon's industry and values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Engineering / Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the Aurecon careers portal via the provided link.

• Operations Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in coordinating multidisciplinary engineering, managing technical interfaces, driving safety in design, and stakeholder engagement. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Resume Optimization for Operations Roles: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your responsibilities in process management, risk mitigation, and team coordination. Use keywords like "engineering governance," "technical assurance," "project delivery," and "stakeholder management."

• Operations Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experiences using the STAR method, focusing on operational challenges and solutions. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your leadership, problem-solving skills, and ability to manage complex projects.

• Company Research: Investigate Aurecon's recent projects, particularly in the industrial sector, and understand their approach to sustainability and client collaboration. Be ready to discuss how your operational expertise aligns with their strategic goals.

⚠️ 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.

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