Design Manger - Defence

Think Bold. Build Better. Belong at Lucid.

We're an employee-owned engineering and advisory firm where Lucid thinking drives progress. Here, you'll explore new ideas, challenge the status quo, and make a real difference - supported by clear pathways, modern tools, and a culture of innovation.

What this role is all about

Join Lucid's Defence team in Darwin as a Design Manager and play a key role in delivering complex engineering projects that support Australia's critical infrastructure and national capability.

Working alongside experienced engineers, project managers and Defence leaders, you'll lead the coordination of multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest technical standards. You'll work closely with internal teams, clients and external consultants to deliver robust, practical and proven engineering solutions while balancing technical excellence, programme, budget and stakeholder expectations.

Whether you're already an experienced Design Manager or a senior engineering consultant looking to step into design leadership, this is an opportunity to influence project outcomes, mentor others and continue building your career within an employee-owned consultancy.

How you'll contribute day-to-day

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering design teams across Defence projects.
• Act as Design Manager and/or Consultant Representative throughout project delivery.
• Manage internal engineering teams and external subconsultants to deliver successful project outcomes.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Defence clients and key stakeholders.
• Manage multiple projects across varying technical disciplines, budgets and stages of the project lifecycle.
• Undertake feasibility assessments to ensure project scope, programme and budgets are understood before project engagement.
• Prepare and review scopes of work, technical reports, project documentation and client deliverables.
• Support continuous improvement and technical excellence across the Defence team.

What sets you up for success

To thrive in this role, you'll be someone who enjoys leading people, solving complex challenges and building strong relationships.

You'll also bring

• Experience delivering multidisciplinary engineering or infrastructure projects within the Defence sector or a similarly complex environment.
• Experience as a Design Manager, Consultant Representative or in a comparable project leadership role.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build long-term client relationships.
• Experience managing multiple projects with varying technical requirements, budgets and delivery programmes.
• Experience preparing and reviewing scopes of work, technical documentation and project reporting.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and technical excellence.
• Australian Citizenship is strongly preferred due to the nature of Defence projects. Applicants who hold Australian Permanent Residency and are at the final stage of obtaining Australian Citizenship (for example, awaiting their citizenship ceremony) may also be considered.
• Hold, or be eligible to obtain and maintain, an AGSVA Baseline Security Clearance (or higher). This includes successfully completing Australian Government security vetting and a National Police Check.

Life at Lucid

At Lucid, our people do more than deliver projects - they shape outcomes that matter. Their curiosity, commitment and drive to do things better are what set us apart. It's why we've built a workplace where people can thrive, grow and make an impact.

Lucid started in Adelaide with a simple belief: we could do things better. Not by being the biggest, but by being the most thoughtful, responsive and grounded partner to our clients.

Today, we're a team of 350+ people across Australia, united by a drive to turn complexity into clarity. Along the way, our people have opened new offices, led nationally significant projects and grown from graduates to leaders, shaping Lucid's journey as they shaped their own.

Lucid's culture is built on relationships and creating an environment where people can do great work. It's where curiosity is backed, initiative is supported and growth isn't just encouraged—it's expected.

We're a team that shares accountability.

Let's make it happen

Apply online with your resume and a cover letter that shows how you'll thrive in this role.

Got questions? Reach out to ***email_hidden***.

At Lucid, we're committed to building a workplace where people are respected, supported and able to do their best work. We encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans and their families.

If this opportunity aligns with your experience and you're excited about contributing to Australia's Defence capability, we'd love to hear from you. If you're unsure whether your experience is the right fit, we encourage you to apply or get in touch for a confidential discussion.

We don't use AI in our recruitment process, so our response times may occasionally be a little longer than others. We're a people-focused business and believe a person-to-person approach is the best way to connect, assess and support our candidates throughout their journey with Lucid.