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

Company Description

AECOM is dedicated to growing and evolving the built environment. Our portfolio includes iconic and award-winning buildings and landscapes, from strategic planning to project realization. We prioritize digital innovation and invest in sustainable solutions for clients and communities.

About the role

As an Associate Director – Project Architect, you will lead the design and delivery of complex facilities in highly regulated environments such as defense, research, and nuclear infrastructure. You will guide coordinated design outcomes from concept through to delivery, ensuring alignment with safety and operational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and delivery of complex defense, research, and nuclear infrastructure projects
• 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
• Manage interfaces and ensure design integrity is maintained throughout all stages of delivery
• Build trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders to align project objectives and expectations

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

Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, full-time, part-time, job-sharing, and hybrid work options are available. Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year, and flex public holidays. Continuous learning and growth opportunities are provided, including lunch and learns, professional development courses, financial study assistance, 5 days paid study leave, global career opportunities, and access to industry-leading technology and thinking. AECOM is committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and taking any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, 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. Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube.