Regional Portfolio - Design Manager

Our government client is currently seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in delivering critical water infrastructure design and standards across South Australia. This is a 12-month contract role based in Adelaide’s CBD.

YOU |

Bring your leadership presence, strategic mindset, and engineering expertise to this exciting opportunity within a key South Australian Government agency. You will lead teams to deliver technically sound, value-for-money outcomes in a complex and evolving infrastructure environment. You will also bring:

• A recognised engineering qualification (e.g. B.Eng) in a relevant discipline – Essential
• Associate Diploma or postgraduate qualifications in Project Management, Business Management or similar – Desirable
• Proven experience in engineering design, design review, and development of infrastructure standards – Essential
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess and evaluate complex engineering challenges – Essential
• Ability to deliver minimum viable solutions using lean design principles – Essential
• Strong leadership presence, with a track record of inspiring and leading high-performing technical teams – Essential
• Strategic planning capability, with the ability to develop and implement effective design delivery strategies – Essential
• High-level stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge and collaborate with internal and external parties – Essential
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement in design processes and project delivery – Essential
• Experience preparing professional technical reports and documentation – Essential
• Experience auditing reports and designs prepared by others – Desirable

THE ROLE |

As Design Manager, you will act as the Primary Engineering Representative and oversee the design performance of internal and external engineering teams. You will ensure that engineering outputs align with project requirements, SA Water standards, and stakeholder expectations. You’ll play a critical role in shaping infrastructure solutions that support safe, sustainable, and efficient water services. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading multidisciplinary design teams to deliver consistent, accurate, and timely technical outcomes
• Driving safety leadership and ensuring compliance with Safety in Design (SiD) and Sustainability in Design (SuiD) requirements
• Taking responsibility for WHS outcomes and contributing to a strong safety culture across engineering teams
• Planning and managing design delivery, ensuring milestones, budgets, and Service Agreement Form requirements are achieved
• Overseeing the quality of engineering deliverables through robust review and verification processes aligned with technical standards
• Coordinating with Engineering Delivery, Studies and Solutions teams to define scopes, costs, and work breakdown structures
• Clearly articulating cost, risk, and schedule impacts to support informed decision-making
• Engaging with stakeholders and business partners to represent technical matters and support project outcomes
• Challenging traditional approaches and promoting lean, efficient design solutions
• Supporting innovation and continuous improvement across engineering processes, systems, and standards
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and fostering a collaborative, knowledge-sharing culture

THE CLIENT |

Our South Australian Government client is at the forefront of delivering trusted water and wastewater services for a sustainable and healthy future. Based in Adelaide, this 12-month contract offers the opportunity to contribute to critical infrastructure projects with long-term community impact.

TR3 RECRUITMENT |

We are a boutique firm specialising in tailored recruitment and consulting services. Our mission is to connect exceptional talent with meaningful work, while upholding our core values of sustainability, mutuality, and trust.

Interested? Click ‘Apply’ now, or for a more detailed conversation, contact one of our team.

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TR3 Recruitment values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Applicants of all ages, people with disabilities, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you require any access or support adjustments, please advise us at the time of application.