Design Manager

Our Design Managers lead the engineering design of innovative, sustainable water and wastewater infrastructure for customers and communities across Australia. Delivery of fit‑for‑purpose design of essential assets such as desalination plants, water and wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, and associated works. Often running concurrent multiple multi‑disciplinary design teams, Design Managers ensure designs overcome challenges within budget and time in developing bespoke solutions to meet client requirements. Key Responsibilities Lead the design process from concept through commissioning, ensuring alignment with project delivery, client specifications and stakeholder requirements Manage and mentor members of our multidisciplinary internal design team Identify and scope site investigations and authority supply inputs to the design Coordinate external authorities, consultants and suppliers to deliver integrated design solutions Champion innovation whilst proactively managing design risks, approvals and changes to maintain project budget and schedule Oversee the comprehensive documentation of the design process, generating deliverables in accordance with contract requirements Coordinate and facilitate design safety workshops, meetings and investigations to ensure designs meet project quality, safety and environmental requirements Undertake engineering calculations and reviews, internal squad checks, drafting reviews and closing out of client comments to submissions About You Hello candidate , our ideal candidate will be passionate about leading the design of water industry infrastructure to deliver high‑quality infrastructure solutions for each unique project. A collaborative mindset is essential, as this role leverages strong relationships across internal teams and external stakeholders. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, meeting Engineers Australia Competency Standards Stage 2 for Professional Engineers Excellent communication skills including verbal and written communication, substantial experience chairing meetings, safety in design workshops and report writing Demonstrated experience in design management of water infrastructure, ideally for Australian projects in Australia Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance and design standards Experience managing design budgets, schedules, resources, external consultants, internal and external stakeholders and documentation to ensure design excellence within budget constraints Track record of integrating innovative design solutions, including new‑to‑market technologies Ideally, experience in Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) processes to develop solutions for clients and lead collaboration among consultants, authorities and project stakeholders, which will be highly regarded About Guidera O’Connor From desalination plants providing clean water to Australian communities, to treatment facilities that return wastewater safely to the environment, Guidera O’Connor designs and delivers tailored solutions that make a real difference to people’s lives. Pumping stations Filtration Odour control Aquifer storage and recovery Reuse systems We work with customers across Australia, including local government, mining and resources companies, private asset owners, head contractors and engineering organisations. Our business is founded on five guiding principles: Care, Integrity, Passion, Respect and Future, each of which informs our collaborative, innovative, solutions‑focused approach. More than infrastructure, we deliver value, creating the systems that make safe, clean water possible for people and communities across the country, now and into the future. Benefits Lunch provided each day Additional annual leave for service milestones and 15 days personal leave each year Excellent employee referral bonus Company‑funded wellbeing programme supporting your health and wellbeing goals Paid parental leave and cultural leave Fortnightly pay Regular recognition and celebration of success Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging At Guidera O’Connor we respect and value a diverse, inclusive and belonging workplace. We strongly encourage applications from people of all genders, ages and cultures. We are committed to reconciliation action and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for all positions. We are also committed to real progress toward gender equity in the engineering and construction industry and strongly encourage applications from female candidates for all positions. Please apply online. For more information about this opportunity, reach out to our recruitment team at ******@goc.net.au. Please note applications will only be accepted from candidates who have the right to work in Australia. #J-18808-Ljbffr