Relocate to Australia: Associate Director - Project Architect (NSQEP)

Company Description

AECOM is dedicated to growing and evolving the built environment. Our portfolio includes iconic buildings and landscapes, from strategic planning to project realization. We invest in digital capabilities to ensure consistent and efficient scalable work across various sectors including social infrastructure, transit, technology, logistics, and commercial real estate. We focus on solutions that promote long-term health and wellbeing for all.

About the Role

As an Associate Director – Project Architect, you will lead the design and delivery of complex facilities within highly regulated environments such as defense, research, and nuclear infrastructure. You will provide architectural leadership across multidisciplinary teams, guiding coordinated design outcomes from concept through to delivery while maintaining strong alignment with safety and operational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and delivery of complex defense, research, and nuclear infrastructure projects within highly regulated environments
• Act as Project Architect, maintaining design intent and ensuring coordinated, high-quality outcomes across all project stages
• Lead multidisciplinary design coordination, integrating architectural, structural, services, and specialist systems into cohesive solutions
• Translate nuclear safety case and regulatory requirements into robust architectural design responses in collaboration with subject matter experts
• Oversee design development, technical documentation, and compliance with relevant standards including Defence, NCC, IAEA, and applicable nuclear frameworks
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to project teams while driving continuous improvement and delivery excellence

Qualifications

• Accredited degree in Architecture with registration as an Architect in Australia (or eligibility for registration)
• 10–15+ years’ experience in architecture, including leadership roles on complex, safety-critical projects
• Proven experience acting as Project Architect and/or Principal Consultant on medium to large-scale projects
• Demonstrated experience in highly regulated environments such as defense, laboratories, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or nuclear-related facilities
• Strong understanding of Defence design standards, government delivery frameworks, and regulatory compliance requirements
• Experience working with safety-in-design principles, human factors, and complex systems integration in high-hazard environments
• Australian Citizenship (or eligibility for AUKUS clearance) is required; NSQEP recognition and/or postgraduate qualifications are highly regarded

Additional Information

Why you’ll love working with us: Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, full-time, part-time, job-sharing and hybrid work options. Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year. Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better. Continuous learning and growth - lunch and learns, professional development courses, financial study assistance, 5 days paid study leave, global career opportunities. Ready to push the limits of what’s possible? We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and taking any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. All newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we, our clients and our communities live and work around Australia. We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses.