“I work for AECOM because we cover a broad engineering landscape which challenges our engineering and consultancy skills through the best projects. The depth of skill and knowledge across the regions means anything is possible.” – Sean O'Leary, Practice Leader, Building Services VIC + SA
Everyone belongs at AECOM
Australia’s and New Zealand's Defence infrastructure challenges are multifaceted, involving
the development of physical infrastructure, regulatory frameworks and human capital. Our team has earned the trust of Defence through decades of consistent delivery and genuine partnership. Behind every Defence project is a team of passionate, skilled professionals who bring deep insight, technical excellence, and a shared commitment to national security.
Job DescriptionThe Nuclear Suitably Qualified and Experienced (NSQEP) Technical Director of Architecture provides senior leadership for the planning, design, and delivery of defence infrastructure in Australia. This role combines architectural excellence with nuclear safety competence, ensuring that facilities are conceived, designed, and delivered in compliance with the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator (ANNPSR), Defence standards, and international best practice (IAEA/ONR).
As Technical Director, you will shape design strategy, guide multidisciplinary teams, and provide governance over architectural outputs that directly interface with nuclear safety cases and regulatory licensing. You will also act as a strategic advisor all stakeholders and industry partners, embedding safety, resilience, and operational readiness into all architectural decisions.
How you’ll make a difference:
- Strategic Leadership: Shape design strategy and governance for architectural outputs that interface with nuclear safety cases and regulatory licensing.
- Team Guidance: Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams, ensuring high-quality deliverables that meet defence standards and best practices.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a strategic advisor to stakeholders and industry partners, embedding safety, resilience, and operational readiness into all architectural decisions.
- Compliance Assurance: Ensure that all facilities are conceived, designed, and delivered in strict adherence to regulatory requirements and industry standards.
The qualities that help you thrive
- Accredited degree in Architecture with either current registration as an Architect in Australia or willingness to undertake registration as an Architect in Australia
- 15+ years relevant experience with demonstrated SQEP competence in nuclear, defence or other safety-critical domains, evidenced by architectural leadership roles on high-regulation infrastructure projects
- Significant experience leading architectural design in complex defence/nuclear environments
- Strong understanding of Architectural design in nuclear regulated environments and the defence sector
- Deep knowledge of:
- Nuclear safety frameworks (IAEA standards, ONR SAPs/TAGs, ANNPSR regulations).
- Defence and government design assurance standards.
- Hazard management and ALARP demonstrations in facility design.
- ISO 19443 nuclear quality management and configuration control.
Due to the nature of the projects, Australian Citizenship is required, with prior (or current) defence clearance highly regarded.
Additional InformationAECOM 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/.
About AECOM
AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. 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 @AECOM.
Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity
You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.
You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.
AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.
Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.
