Technical Director, Primary Engineering

If you're looking for a job that you enjoy and that keeps you passionate and productive, AECOM is the place to be." William Leong, Workgroup Manager Transmission + Distribution

AECOM's Energy practice across Australia and New Zealand comprises approximately 250 experts, offering a broad range of services, including consulting, engineering design, energy procurement, and EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) for power, energy efficiency, and renewable energy clients. Our comprehensive understanding of the entire energy landscape - from generation and distribution to storage and demand-side management enables us to develop holistic strategies that enhance and modernise next-generation energy infrastructure.

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We're committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

Shape the future of Australia's energy network. As a Technical Director – Primary Engineering at AECOM, you'll lead our high-performing Substations team in Sydney, delivering complex transmission and distribution projects that power millions of homes and businesses. This is your opportunity to set the technical direction, grow a talented team, and influence the next generation of energy infrastructure across the nation.

What will a day in this role look like

• Lead and inspire our Primary (Substations) team — setting the technical direction, mentoring emerging talent, and fostering a high-performing, inclusive culture.
• Oversee the design and delivery of complex primary systems — including layouts, detailed drawings, earthing design, equipment specifications, and system studies — ensuring safe, high-quality outcomes.
• Build and nurture strategic client relationships with key utilities and TNSPs, acting as a trusted technical advisor and ensuring AECOM delivers exceptional outcomes on major substation and transmission projects.
• Drive business growth by identifying opportunities, shaping winning proposals, and aligning the team's capabilities with AECOM's strategic energy objectives.
• Shape industry practice and thought leadership, representing AECOM at national and international forums (e.g., CIGRE, EEA) and sharing expertise on primary systems, innovation, and emerging technologies.

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don't tick all the boxes, you could still be a perfect fit for this role. Please apply, all applications will be considered.

The qualities that help you thrive;

• Extensive primary engineering experience — ideally 15+ years in substation or transmission & distribution projects within Australia, including concept, detailed design, and delivery.
• Deep technical knowledge of transmission and distribution primary systems, including substation layouts, earthing design, studies, and high-voltage equipment specification.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with a track record of guiding multidisciplinary teams, engaging stakeholders, and building collaborative, inclusive cultures.
• Commercial and strategic acumen, demonstrated through winning work, managing budgets, and delivering profitable projects in the consulting environment.
• Proven project / design management capability, with the ability to coordinate complex programs, manage risk, and ensure on-time, high-quality outcomes.

Why you'll love working with us:

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, part-time, job-sharing and hybrid work options
• 26 weeks paid parental leave, 2 weeks paid partner leave and up to 12 weeks paid alternative primary carer leave
• Continuous learning and growth - lunch and learns, professional development courses, financial study assistance, 5 days paid study leave, global career opportunities
• Beautiful office overlooking the harbour, diverse and inclusive team, fresh fruit, barista coffee, morning tea celebrations, social events, and much more

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.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

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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: 

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 $13.1 billion in fiscal year 2022. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at 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.