Design Manager - Building Engineering

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager - Building Engineering

Company: AECOM

Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Engineering & Design Management / Project Management

Date Posted: March 22, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead multidisciplinary design coordination for complex building engineering projects, ensuring seamless integration across architectural, civil, structural, and building engineering disciplines.

• Serve as the primary client liaison, skillfully facilitating stakeholder engagement, extracting critical functional and operational requirements, and translating them into comprehensive design briefs.

• Drive front-end design strategy by establishing robust project execution plans, technical assurance frameworks, risk registers, and program controls from conceptualization through detailed design phases.

• Provide expert technical direction and leadership to resolve emergent challenges, including navigating technical, functional, and legislative requirements, maintaining high-level project oversight with the ability to delve deep into specifics when needed.

• Oversee stringent quality and design governance, chairing coordination reviews, ensuring strict adherence to sector-specific standards (e.g., healthcare, aviation, sports infrastructure, transport), and upholding technical assurance throughout the project lifecycle.

• Foster collaborative environments by providing leadership and mentorship to discipline leads, effectively resolving interface challenges, and driving the creation of buildable, efficient, and sustainable design outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior Design Manager within AECOM's Building Engineering team, focusing on large-scale, complex projects across critical sectors. The emphasis is on leading integrated design processes, client relationship management, and strategic project planning, requiring a blend of technical expertise and leadership acumen. The "10+ years" experience level, combined with the mention of "hands-on technical delivery before moving into multidisciplinary design leadership," suggests a role that bridges technical depth with strategic management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Orchestrate and lead multidisciplinary design coordination meetings and processes for major building projects, ensuring seamless integration and alignment across architectural, civil, structural, and building engineering disciplines from concept to construction documentation.

• Act as the key client-facing representative, managing relationships, facilitating productive stakeholder workshops, accurately capturing functional and operational project requirements, and translating these into clear, actionable design briefs.

• Develop and own the comprehensive front-end design strategy, including the creation of detailed project execution plans, robust technical assurance protocols, proactive risk registers, and effective programme controls.

• Provide critical technical direction and strategic leadership to overcome design challenges, ensuring compliance with all technical, functional, and legislative project requirements, maintaining a high-level understanding of the entire project while being prepared to dive deep into specific technical areas.

• Implement and maintain rigorous quality and design governance standards, including chairing coordination reviews, ensuring strict compliance with relevant sector-specific standards (e.g., healthcare, aviation, sports infrastructure, transport), and guaranteeing technical integrity throughout the design lifecycle.

• Lead, mentor, and develop discipline leads, fostering a culture of collaboration, proactively resolving inter-disciplinary interface challenges, and ensuring the delivery of designs that are buildable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable.

• Manage design team resources effectively, ensuring optimal allocation and performance to meet project timelines and deliverables.

• Stay abreast of industry best practices, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes relevant to building engineering and design management to continuously improve project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on integrated design processes, client management, and strategic project planning. The role requires a leader who can manage complex interdependencies, ensure technical rigor, and drive sustainable outcomes. The emphasis on "front-end design strategy" and "technical assurance" indicates a proactive approach to project risk and quality management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Structural) or a related technical field is typically required.

Experience:

• A minimum of 12 years of progressive engineering experience, with a significant portion dedicated to hands-on technical delivery in building engineering disciplines.

• Proven track record in leading multidisciplinary design teams for complex building projects, with demonstrated experience in sectors such as healthcare, aviation, sports venues, commercial, or transport infrastructure.

• Substantial experience in client-facing roles, with the ability to effectively represent the entire design team and engage with senior stakeholders.

Required Skills:

• Multidisciplinary Design Coordination: Expertise in integrating and managing design efforts across various engineering and architectural disciplines.

• Client Relationship Management: Proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships, understand their needs, and represent the design team effectively.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled in facilitating workshops, managing expectations, and ensuring alignment among diverse project stakeholders.

• Design Strategy & Planning: Ability to develop and articulate clear design strategies, project execution plans, and programme controls.

• Technical Assurance & Quality Governance: Deep understanding of quality management systems, technical review processes, and ensuring design compliance.

• Risk Management: Proficient in identifying, assessing, and mitigating design and project risks.

• Leadership & Mentoring: Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and mentor engineering teams and discipline leads.

• Commercial Acumen: Understanding of project financials, contract management, and commercial implications of design decisions.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex technical and functional challenges.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication for technical documentation, client presentations, and team leadership.

Preferred Skills:

• Sector-Specific Expertise: In-depth knowledge of design standards and requirements for healthcare, aviation, sports infrastructure, or defence projects.

• Australian Citizenship: Preferred due to the nature of some projects.

• Defence Clearance: Highly advantageous for relevant project involvement.

• Advanced Project Management Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile or Lean principles in design and construction.

• Digital Design Tools: Proficiency with BIM (Building Information Modeling) and other advanced digital design and collaboration platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of deep technical engineering experience and strong leadership capabilities, specifically within the context of complex building projects. The preference for Australian Citizenship and Defence Clearance indicates potential involvement in sensitive or government-related projects.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Integrated Design Process Case Studies: Showcase examples of leading integrated design efforts on complex building projects, detailing the coordination strategies, challenges overcome, and successful outcomes. Highlight how different engineering disciplines were harmonized.

• Client Engagement & Requirements Gathering: Present instances where you effectively managed client relationships, facilitated stakeholder workshops, and translated complex functional/operational needs into clear design briefs.

• Design Strategy & Execution Plans: Include examples of front-end design strategy development, outlining project execution plans, technical assurance frameworks, risk registers, and programme controls established for major projects.

• Technical Assurance & Quality Management: Demonstrate your approach to design governance and quality oversight. Provide examples of coordination reviews, compliance checks against sector-specific standards, and how technical assurance was maintained.

• Problem-Solving & Innovation: Showcase instances where you provided technical direction to solve complex design challenges, incorporating innovative solutions for buildability, efficiency, or sustainability.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Provide documentation or case studies illustrating your ability to design and optimize multidisciplinary design workflows, ensuring efficiency and clear communication channels.

• Implementation and Automation: Detail your experience in implementing design processes and leveraging technology (e.g., BIM, collaboration platforms) to enhance project delivery and automation.

• Measurement and Performance Analysis: Showcase how you measure the effectiveness of design processes, including the use of KPIs, technical assurance metrics, and feedback loops for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role, a portfolio should clearly demonstrate leadership in integrated design, client management, and strategic project planning. Emphasis should be placed on concrete examples of process implementation, risk mitigation, and the successful delivery of complex building projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Arrangements: Includes alternative start/finish times, part-time options, job-sharing, and hybrid work models to support work-life balance.

• Additional Annual Leave Purchase: Opportunity to buy up to 6 additional weeks of annual leave per year.

• Flex Public Holidays: Ability to swap standard public holidays for others that better suit personal needs.

• Continuous Learning & Growth: Access to extensive professional development opportunities, including lunch and learns, funded professional development courses, and financial study assistance.

• Paid Study Leave: 5 days of paid leave dedicated to study and professional development.

• Global Career Opportunities: Potential for international assignments and career advancement within AECOM's global network.

• Well-being Programs: Robust global well-being initiatives to support employee health and mental health.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Contribution to superannuation (Australia's retirement savings scheme).

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services.

• Professional Memberships: Support for maintaining professional body memberships.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid work model and flexible arrangement options allow for some flexibility in daily start and finish times, subject to project and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical compensation for senior engineering management roles in Australia, considering the specified experience level and the company's reputation. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting AECOM's commitment to employee well-being, professional development, and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Construction, and Infrastructure Consulting. AECOM operates globally, working on diverse projects including transportation, buildings, water, new energy, and environmental solutions.

Company Size: Fortune 500 company, indicating a large, established global enterprise with thousands of employees worldwide. AECOM is a significant player in the Australian market.

Founded: AECOM was founded in 1910, signifying a long history of expertise and stability in the infrastructure sector.

Team Structure:

• Building & Places (B&P) Business Line: This role falls under the Buildings & Places group, which focuses on designing and delivering iconic structures and urban environments.

• Integrated Design Teams: The Design Manager will lead multidisciplinary teams comprising architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, building services engineers (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), and potentially specialists in areas like acoustics, façade engineering, and sustainability.

• Reporting Structure: Typically, a Design Manager reports to a Project Director, Practice Lead, or a Senior Operations Manager within the Building Engineering or Design division. They, in turn, lead discipline leads and design engineers.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role demands extensive collaboration with project managers, client representatives, construction teams, specialist consultants, and regulatory bodies to ensure holistic project success.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: AECOM emphasizes leveraging data and analytics to inform design decisions and project strategies.

• Integrated Project Delivery: A focus on collaborative approaches that bring all stakeholders together early in the project lifecycle to optimize outcomes.

• Digital Innovation: Strong investment in digital capabilities, including BIM, virtual reality, and advanced modeling tools, to enhance design quality, efficiency, and client engagement.

• Sustainability Focus: Commitment to delivering sustainable outcomes, considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities throughout the project lifecycle.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: AECOM's culture is characterized by its global reach, commitment to innovation, diversity, and sustainability. The Building Engineering team likely operates with a strong emphasis on technical excellence, integrated design processes, and client satisfaction, supported by robust digital tools and a collaborative work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the design and engineering management sphere. It signifies a transition from deep technical specialization to strategic leadership and project oversight, managing complex, multidisciplinary design processes and client relationships.

Reporting Structure:

• The Design Manager typically reports to a senior leadership role within the Building & Places or Building Engineering division, such as a Director or Senior Principal.

Operations Impact:

• The Design Manager's role is critical to the successful delivery of building projects. Their ability to ensure integrated, compliant, efficient, and sustainable designs directly impacts project timelines, budgets, client satisfaction, and the ultimate success and reputation of AECOM.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific building sectors (e.g., healthcare, aviation) or advanced engineering disciplines.

• Project Leadership: Progress to roles such as Project Director, overseeing larger, more complex, or multiple concurrent projects.

• Practice Leadership: Move into leadership positions responsible for managing entire engineering disciplines or business units within AECOM, focusing on strategy, business development, and operational excellence.

• Global Mobility: Leverage AECOM's international presence for career opportunities in different regions or on global megaprojects.

• Business Development: Transition into roles with a greater focus on client acquisition, proposal management, and strategic growth initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant career step for experienced engineers looking to move into management and leadership. The growth opportunities are substantial, allowing for progression within technical leadership, project management, or broader business leadership roles within a global firm.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Environment. AECOM promotes a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. This means the Design Manager will split their time between AECOM's Brisbane office and working remotely.

Office Location(s): Primarily based in AECOM's Brisbane office, with potential engagement with teams in Sydney and Melbourne as mentioned in the job description. AECOM has multiple offices across Australia.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: The Brisbane office is likely equipped with modern collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, and potentially design studios to facilitate team interaction and project discussions.

• Technology Integration: Access to AECOM's standard suite of design, project management, and communication tools, including high-performance computing for complex modeling and BIM software.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with design teams, project managers, and leadership for mentorship, problem-solving, and fostering team cohesion. The hybrid model necessitates proactive communication strategies.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is expected. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility in daily schedules, allowing for adjustments to accommodate project deadlines, client meetings, and personal needs, provided core responsibilities and collaboration requirements are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key feature, requiring self-discipline and effective communication skills to manage distributed teams and ensure seamless project progress. The Brisbane office serves as the primary base, but collaboration with other Australian offices is expected.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruitment team will review applications for basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: An in-depth discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Director or Senior Manager) focusing on technical experience, leadership style, project history, and alignment with AECOM's values. Be prepared to discuss specific projects from your career.

• Technical/Design Challenge: Potentially a case study or problem-solving exercise related to managing a complex building engineering design. This could involve outlining a strategy for a specific project scenario, addressing interface issues, or demonstrating technical governance.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with key team members or discipline leads you would be working with to assess collaboration skills and team fit.

• Senior Leadership Interview: Final interview with a senior executive to discuss strategic alignment, career aspirations, and overall suitability for the role and AECOM.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-5 of your most relevant and impactful projects that showcase your capabilities in leading multidisciplinary design, client management, and strategic planning.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline:

  • Project Context: Brief description, sector, scale, and key challenges.
  • Your Role & Responsibilities: Specifically highlight your leadership in design coordination, client liaison, and strategy development.
  • Process & Methodology: Detail the integrated design process, risk management approach, and technical assurance measures you implemented.
  • Outcomes & Impact: Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., improved efficiency, cost savings, successful compliance, client satisfaction). Use metrics if available.
  • Lessons Learned: Briefly touch upon key learnings.

• Highlight Client Engagement: Showcase how you managed client expectations, facilitated workshops, and translated needs into design briefs.

• Demonstrate Technical Depth: Be ready to discuss technical challenges and solutions at a high level, and dive deep into specifics if asked.

• Focus on Sustainability & Efficiency: Emphasize how your designs contributed to buildable, efficient, and sustainable outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand AECOM's Sectors: Research AECOM's key market sectors (healthcare, aviation, sports, transport) and common challenges within them.

• Practice Integrated Design Scenarios: Think through how you would approach integrating diverse engineering disciplines on a large-scale project.

• Prepare for Client Management Questions: Be ready to discuss how you handle difficult clients, manage conflicting stakeholder requirements, and ensure client satisfaction.

• Review Risk Management: Prepare to discuss how you identify, assess, and mitigate design and project risks proactively.

• Articulate Leadership Style: Be ready to explain your approach to motivating teams, resolving conflicts, and mentoring junior engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess both technical competence and leadership capabilities. A strong, well-prepared portfolio that directly addresses the core responsibilities and required skills is crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software: Proficiency with industry-leading platforms such as Autodesk Revit, Navisworks, and potentially Bentley Systems products. Understanding of BIM standards and workflows is essential.

• Design & Engineering Software: Familiarity with various discipline-specific CAD and analysis software (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D, structural analysis tools, MEP design software). The manager needs to understand their application and integration.

• Project Management Software: Experience with platforms like Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or similar for program management, scheduling, and tracking.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, Bluebeam Revu, or AECOM's internal collaboration suites for document sharing, communication, and version control.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret data from design models, project schedules, and risk registers. Familiarity with Excel for data manipulation and basic analysis is a given.

• Reporting Dashboards: Experience using or interpreting data from project dashboards for performance tracking, risk monitoring, and stakeholder updates.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not directly a sales role, understanding client relationship management principles and potentially using CRM features for tracking client interactions and project opportunities could be beneficial.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Awareness of how automation can streamline design processes, document management, and reporting.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific software proficiency requirements aren't detailed, a Design Manager in a firm like AECOM is expected to be highly adept with BIM, project management tools, and collaborative platforms. The ability to understand and integrate various discipline-specific software is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in all dealings, from client interactions to design decisions.

• Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative, and technically sound design solutions that meet or exceed client expectations.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and cross-disciplinary cooperation is paramount for project success.

• Sustainability: Embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into design to create long-term value and positive community impact.

• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas, exploring advanced technologies, and continuously seeking better ways to deliver projects.

• Inclusion & Belonging: AECOM actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a workplace where everyone feels respected and can contribute their best work.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated & Proactive: Encouraging early and continuous collaboration between all design disciplines, clients, and stakeholders to anticipate and resolve issues proactively.

• Open Communication: Maintaining transparent and frequent communication channels, both within the project team and with external stakeholders.

• Feedback-Driven: Creating a culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and used for continuous improvement of design processes and outcomes.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture where senior team members mentor junior staff, and knowledge is shared across disciplines and projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: AECOM's stated values emphasize integrity, innovation, sustainability, and inclusion. The collaborative style is expected to be highly integrated, proactive, and communication-centric, reflecting the complex nature of their projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Diverse Disciplines: Effectively coordinating and integrating the work of multiple engineering disciplines, each with its own priorities, methodologies, and technical jargon.

• Client Expectations Management: Balancing demanding client requirements, budget constraints, and tight timelines while ensuring design quality and compliance.

• Navigating Complex Regulations: Ensuring designs meet stringent sector-specific standards and evolving legislative requirements.

• Technical Problem-Solving: Addressing unforeseen technical complexities and finding innovative, buildable solutions under pressure.

• Hybrid Team Management: Maintaining team cohesion, productivity, and effective communication across a hybrid work environment.

• Driving Innovation: Encouraging the adoption of new technologies and sustainable practices within established project frameworks.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technical Training: Access to specialized courses and certifications in areas like advanced BIM, sustainable design, or specific engineering disciplines.

• Leadership Development Programs: AECOM offers programs designed to hone leadership, project management, and strategic thinking skills.

• Industry Conferences & Seminars: Opportunities to attend key industry events to stay abreast of the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in building engineering and design.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Working on diverse projects across various sectors provides invaluable experience and broadens engineering knowledge.

• Mentorship from Senior Leadership: Direct guidance and learning from experienced directors and principals within AECOM.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges related to complexity, stakeholder management, and technical leadership. However, these challenges are balanced by robust growth opportunities within AECOM's global structure, focusing on both technical and leadership development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to leading a multidisciplinary design team on a complex healthcare project. How would you ensure integration and manage inter-disciplinary conflicts?" (Focus on integration, communication, problem-solving, and sector-specific knowledge).

• "Walk me through a time you had to manage a challenging client relationship or conflicting stakeholder demands. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight client management, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills).

• "How do you establish and maintain technical assurance and quality governance on a large-scale building project from concept through to detailed design?" (Emphasize process, standards, risk management, and quality control).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about AECOM's work in the Building Engineering sector, and why are you interested in this specific role at our company?" (Show research on AECOM's projects, values, and demonstrate genuine interest).

• "How do you foster a culture of collaboration and inclusion within your design teams, especially in a hybrid work environment?" (Relate to AECOM's values and your leadership style).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio projects as compelling stories of challenge, strategy, execution, and successful outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: Use numbers and data wherever possible to demonstrate the tangible results of your work (e.g., % reduction in design clashes, adherence to budget/schedule, energy efficiency improvements).

• Focus on Your Leadership: Clearly articulate your role, decisions, and contributions in each project, not just the team's collective achievement.

• Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready to elaborate on any aspect of your projects, from technical details to client interactions and process improvements.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Highlight specific instances where you successfully navigated complex technical or interpersonal challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, strong leadership, and client management skills, all within the context of AECOM's values and project types.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on SmartRecruiters.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight the specific keywords and responsibilities mentioned in this job description, focusing on "multidisciplinary design coordination," "client leadership," "design strategy," "technical assurance," and experience in relevant sectors (healthcare, aviation, sports, transport). Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a concise portfolio showcasing 3-5 key projects that best demonstrate your capabilities in leading complex building engineering design. Ensure each case study clearly outlines your role, the processes used, challenges overcome, and successful outcomes, with a focus on integration, client management, and technical governance.

• Research AECOM: Gain a thorough understanding of AECOM's recent projects, its values (especially regarding sustainability, innovation, and inclusion), and its position within the Australian engineering and construction market.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare answers to common interview questions, focusing on behavioral examples that demonstrate your leadership, problem-solving, and client management skills. Practice articulating your portfolio projects concisely and impactfully.

⚠️ 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.