Water Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Water Design Manager

Company: Mott MacDonald

Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia / Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Job Type: Full-time / Part-time

Category: Water Infrastructure Design & Management

Date Posted: 2026-09-07

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the technical design and end-to-end delivery of complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects, from conceptualization through to detailed design.

• Provide essential technical governance, design assurance, and sign-off for all design outputs, ensuring adherence to Australian Standards and client specifications.

• Manage, mentor, and foster the professional development of a team of design engineers and technical specialists within the water sector.

• Collaborate closely with Project Managers and key stakeholders to effectively manage project scope, timelines, risks, and overall quality.

• Drive business development initiatives, contribute to bid proposals, and cultivate strong client relationships within the Queensland water market.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for Mott MacDonald's ambitious Next Generation for Delivery (NG4D) program with Urban Utilities, focusing on significant water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades in South East Queensland. The position requires a blend of strong technical design leadership, project delivery acumen, and business development capabilities within the Australian water sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the conceptualization, detailed design, and successful execution of water and wastewater infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment with project objectives and client expectations.

• Implement and maintain robust technical governance frameworks, conducting thorough design reviews and providing authoritative sign-off on all design deliverables.

• Foster a high-performing design team by actively managing, mentoring, and developing the skills and career paths of design engineers and technical specialists.

• Proactively partner with Project Managers to meticulously manage project scope, program schedules, identified risks, and quality assurance protocols.

• Actively contribute to business development efforts by supporting bid preparation, client engagement, and fostering strategic relationships within the Queensland water utility market.

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives across design processes, safety protocols, and innovative solutions to enhance project delivery and operational efficiency.

• Interface with local delivery teams to provide expert digital engineering support and technical guidance, as well as collaborate with the Global Delivery Service team for offshore digital engineering support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior role requiring significant autonomy in technical leadership and project oversight. The emphasis on "digital engineering" and collaboration with a "Global Delivery Service team" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design and delivery, integrating modern technologies and international expertise.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline. Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in leading and delivering water infrastructure design projects, with a strong emphasis on projects within Australia.

• Demonstrated track record of successfully managing complex design processes, ensuring technical integrity, and meeting project deadlines.

• Proven experience in team leadership, including mentoring, performance management, and fostering a collaborative work environment. Required Skills:

• Expertise in water and wastewater infrastructure design principles and practices, including hydraulic modeling and system design.

• Strong technical leadership and design assurance capabilities, with a proven ability to review and approve complex engineering designs.

• Comprehensive project management skills, including scope, schedule, risk, and quality management within the infrastructure sector.

• Proficiency in digital engineering tools and methodologies relevant to water infrastructure design and delivery.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with clients, project teams, and internal stakeholders.

• Understanding of Australian Standards relevant to water and wastewater engineering. Preferred Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of South East Queensland (SEQ) Water, local council requirements, and specific utility standards.

• Professional accreditation such as CPEng (Chartered Professional Engineer) or RPEQ (Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland), or eligibility to obtain these.

• Experience with business development activities, including proposal writing and client relationship management in the Australian water sector.

• Familiarity with global delivery models and managing offshore technical support teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for CPEng/RPEQ and specific knowledge of SEQ Water and local utility standards indicates a strong emphasis on local regulatory compliance and established client relationships within the Queensland region. The mention of "digital engineering" and "Global Delivery Service team" points towards a need for adaptability and experience with integrated, potentially remote, design collaboration.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of three (3) distinct water or wastewater infrastructure projects where you held a lead design or management role, demonstrating end-to-end project lifecycle experience.

• For each project, clearly articulate your specific contributions, leadership responsibilities, and the technical challenges overcome.

• Provide evidence of successful design assurance and technical governance, highlighting instances where your oversight prevented potential issues or improved design outcomes.

• Include documentation or descriptions of processes used for design reviews, quality control, and risk mitigation specific to water infrastructure projects.

• Quantify project outcomes where possible, such as cost savings, schedule improvements, or enhanced operational efficiency achieved through your design leadership. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in developing and refining design workflows for water and wastewater projects, emphasizing efficiency and adherence to standards.

• Provide examples of how you have implemented or improved design processes using digital engineering tools or methodologies.

• Illustrate your approach to documenting design decisions, technical specifications, and project progress for internal and external stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Water Design Manager role, a portfolio should prominently feature technical design leadership, project delivery success, and process improvement initiatives within the water sector. Demonstrating experience with digital engineering and managing design teams will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Water Design Manager with 10+ years of experience in Brisbane/Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, the estimated annual salary range is AUD $150,000 - $200,000. This estimate accounts for the seniority of the role, the high demand for specialized water engineering expertise in the region, and the significant responsibilities associated with leading major infrastructure programs like NG4D. Benefits:

• A flexible and agile work atmosphere designed to support professional growth and personal life.

• Competitive base salary, complemented by Discretionary Group and Personal Performance Bonuses for eligible employees, reflecting individual and company success.

• Comprehensive insurance coverage including life, personal accident, and salary continuance insurance for peace of mind.

• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave, enhancing work-life balance.

• Access to employee resource groups, such as the Inclusive Network for Women, Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, and more, fostering a sense of community and engagement.

• Employee ownership model, offering a stake and voice in the business, with opportunities for increased ownership as a career grows.

• Direct pathway towards employee ownership from day one for this senior role. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week. The company promotes a flexible and agile work atmosphere, which may allow for some flexibility in daily start/end times, subject to project requirements and team coordination. Part-time arrangements are also considered for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on publicly available data for senior engineering management roles in major Australian cities, considering the specific industry (water infrastructure) and the employer's reputation. Benefits are directly extracted from the provided text, with emphasis on the unique employee ownership model and flexibility options.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Management, and Development Consultancy. Mott MacDonald operates across a broad spectrum of sectors including transport, energy, water, buildings, and wider infrastructure.

Company Size: Mott MacDonald is a large global organization. The provided data indicates a company size range that typically signifies hundreds to thousands of employees worldwide. This scale allows for diverse career opportunities and access to global expertise.

Founded: Mott MacDonald was founded in 1989. This history suggests a stable and established organization with a proven track record in delivering complex projects.

Team Structure:

• The Water team in Brisbane is part of a larger global water practice, likely comprising specialized engineers, designers, project managers, and technical experts focused on water and wastewater infrastructure.

• This role reports within the water design function, likely to a senior engineering manager or director, and has direct reports of design engineers and technical specialists.

• Collaboration is expected across local delivery teams in Queensland, the Global Delivery Service team for offshore support, and potentially with other disciplines within Mott MacDonald for integrated project delivery. Methodology:

• Mott MacDonald emphasizes a "brilliant people trusted to do brilliant things" approach, suggesting a culture of empowerment, excellence, and innovation.

• The company's global team structure implies a methodology that leverages diverse skills and experiences to deliver impactful projects.

• In the context of this role, methodologies will likely include robust technical design processes, digital engineering integration, rigorous quality assurance, and proactive risk management.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as vibrant, forward-thinking, and focused on collaborative excellence. The employee ownership model is a significant differentiator, fostering a culture of shared success and direct employee involvement in business direction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior management position, classified as a Water Design Manager. It sits at a strategic level within the operations of the water sector, responsible for both technical design excellence and team leadership. The role requires significant experience and the ability to influence project outcomes and client relationships.

Reporting Structure: The role will likely report to a Director or Senior Manager within Mott MacDonald's Water division in Australia. The successful candidate will manage a team of design engineers and technical specialists.

Operations Impact: The Water Design Manager will have a direct and significant impact on the successful delivery of critical water and wastewater infrastructure projects for Urban Utilities through the NG4D program. This includes shaping the future of water management in South East Queensland, addressing challenges like climate change and population growth, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of essential services. The role's success contributes directly to Mott MacDonald's reputation, client satisfaction, and ongoing business development in the region.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization & Leadership: Deepen expertise in specific areas of water engineering or advanced digital design techniques, potentially leading to principal or chief engineer roles.

• Management & Business Development: Progress into broader management roles, such as Water Sector Lead or Client Director, with increased responsibility for business strategy, client acquisition, and P&L management.

• Employee Ownership: As a senior role, there is a direct pathway towards employee ownership from day one, offering long-term career growth and a stake in the company's success.

• Global Mobility: Opportunities to contribute to or lead projects in other regions, leveraging Mott MacDonald's global presence and expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers substantial growth potential, particularly due to its direct contribution to a major, long-term program and the inherent employee ownership model. The emphasis on digital engineering suggests opportunities to develop cutting-edge skills.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Mott MacDonald operates with a hybrid work model. While the role is based in Brisbane or Sunshine Coast, employees are expected to work from the office, particularly for collaborative tasks, team meetings, and client interactions, while also having flexibility.

Office Location(s): Brisbane and Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. These locations provide proximity to key clients and projects within the region.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and efficiency. Expect a professional office environment equipped with the necessary tools and technology to support complex engineering design and project management.

• Opportunities for interaction with a diverse team of engineers, project managers, and specialists within the water sector, as well as cross-functional collaboration across Mott MacDonald's wider expertise areas.

• The hybrid model allows for a balance between focused individual work at home and collaborative engagement within the office setting.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered to support work-life balance. This flexibility is crucial for managing demanding project timelines while accommodating personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, requiring individuals to be adept at both independent work and collaborative engagement, whether in-person or remotely.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and cover letter to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's core requirements.

• Technical Interview: This stage will likely involve detailed discussions about your experience in water infrastructure design, technical leadership, and project delivery. Be prepared to discuss specific projects from your portfolio and your contributions to them. Expect questions related to Australian Standards and SEQ water practices.

• Management & Leadership Interview: Focuses on your experience in team management, mentoring, stakeholder engagement, and business development. Behavioral questions will assess your leadership style and problem-solving approach.

• Case Study/Presentation (Potential): You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio showcasing a complex water design project, highlighting your leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. This is a critical opportunity to demonstrate your operations impact.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss cultural fit, long-term career aspirations, and alignment with Mott MacDonald's values and employee ownership model.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your most impactful water infrastructure design projects that best represent your leadership, technical depth, and project delivery success.

• Quantify Achievements: For each project, clearly state the scale, budget, your role, key challenges, innovative solutions you implemented, and quantifiable results (e.g.,