Design Lead

Design Lead - Water Networks & Growth K5 )

Description

Stantec's Water team in Australia has an impressive portfolio of successful major projects that are already positively impacting our communities across the country. We know that finding solutions to our water issues is critical, and so our diverse network of 400 water specialists in Australia collaborate across business lines and geographies to ensure the best outcomes are achieved. With exciting projects in the pipeline, we are looking to expand our teams and seek the change-makers, innovators, leaders and collaborators to join us. How will you impact Australia's water solutions? Grow with us.

Our Water Division is experiencing significant growth, presenting the opportunity for a Design Lead – Water Networks and Growth based in our Sydney team and specifically within our West Region Delivery Team for Sydney Water. The team has a strong focus on the design and delivery of Networks & Growth Projects, including the upgrade and renewal of water and wastewater network infrastructure, and large new greenfield infrastructure assets servicing growth in Western Sydney. This position is crucial for providing technical expertise during project delivery and leading diverse technical teams to develop and deliver the most appropriate technical solution for key water and wastewater projects.

About the role:

The Design Lead is accountable for leading the Project Technical Team to develop and deliver the most appropriate design for construction on budget and in accordance with the overall project program. This role will work closely with the Project Manager and Technical Leads for the delivery, efficiency and quality of all design deliverables. The Design Lead will coordinate all multi‐disciplinary activities and inputs by the engineering and technical teams, including specialist inputs from procurement, construction, and maintenance teams to ensure an integrated design solution.

This position is based in our Sydney Olympic Park offices.

The Design Lead - Water Networks & Growth is typically responsible for:

• Responsible for delivering outputs on time and in accordance with the allocated budgets and ensuring they are endorsed by the client.
• Ensure all technical outputs conform to the project scope, are safe and are of appropriate quality (confirmed by independent review).
• Manage scope change through established systems and processes
• Deliver design to the required quality standards using diverse teams.
• Managing multi-disciplinary teams in a professional services or project delivery environment, able to work within a matrix structure.
• Exercises independent judgement, initiative and in-depth evaluation of various factors for addressing and resolving unusual and complex issues or situations.
• Considered an internal subject matter expert who applies advanced practical and theoretical knowledge to the wider engineering design team.
• Working inclusively with the Client and key stakeholders during the development of technical solutions, and present technical outcomes throughout, during handovers and at the end of the project.
• Technical Planning activities, including confirming the technical delivery methodology; identifying and coordinating all technical resource needs; undertaking forward planning and tracking progress of all technical activities.
• Technical delivery activities, including implementing a sound and efficient methodology; leading the planning and production of all technical deliverables; implementing an efficient and effective checking and review process; ensuring safety, innovation and sustainability are properly addressed in the technical outputs; minimise re-work by assisting the Project Manager with identifying and effectively handling scope creep and variations; capture Intellectual Property and sharing technical knowledge.
• Provide regular monitoring and reporting on schedule, budget, quality, resources, and scope, and proposed corrective action to remedy situation(s) requiring attention.
• Communicate and coordinate all quality reviews, schedules, status, and modifications with Design Quality teams and Discipline reviewers.

To be successful for this role you'll present:

• Tertiary qualifications in Engineering coupled with 8 years demonstrated experience in an engineering consultancy.
• Leadership abilities including managing subcontractors and multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of water and wastewater assets and the delivery environment.
• Highly developed problem solving and negotiation skills to resolve disputes that arise.
• Strong understanding of D&C or alternative delivery projects.
• Solid report writing with the ability to tell a compelling story.
• Proficient in Project Management Tools, MS Project, Power BI.
• Previous experience working with Sydney Water is desirable.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills to develop and maintain positive relationships with internal and external clients.
• Highly developed consulting skills to liaise with clients and other stakeholders to achieve mutually successful project outcomes.

So, what do we offer to enable your next career step?

Along with an attractive salary, healthy and vibrant culture, we offer many benefits to ensure your professional development and wellbeing.

• Flexible Working Arrangements – Including options to work part time and flexibility to work from home
• Learning and Talent Development Programs and Training
• Purchasing up to four weeks additional leave
• Professional Registration and Memberships
• Salary Continuance Insurance (SCI) and Salary Packaging
• Honorarium Spot Bonus Program – Recognition of broader water industry contributions to relevant committees and conferences
• Employee Resource Groups such as and
• Connecting employees across Stantec through our Developing Professionals Group
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Programs including Employee Assistance Program
• Service Recognition Awards

About us

The Stantec community unites approximately 26,000 employees working in over 400 locations across six continents. We collaborate across sectors and industries to bring water, transport, energy, architecture, and infrastructure projects to life. Our work from initial project concept and planning through design, construction and commissioning is built on a nearly 200-year history. So, when we take on a project, we see the opportunity to make a lasting connection with the people and places where we live and work.

It's our people that sets us apart… and we hope that includes you

How to apply

Please submit your most recent CV outlining your experience relevant to this role by following the 'apply' link.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Engineering coupled with 8 years demonstrated experience in an engineering consultancy.

Primary Location : Australia-New South Wales-Sydney

Organization : BC-3002 Water-AU Australia

Employee Status : Regular

Job Level : Individual Contributor

Travel : No

Schedule : Full-time

Job Posting : Sep 30, 2025, 5:53:58 PM

Req ID: 250002K5

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. EEO including Disability/Protected Veterans