Design Manager

Who We Are

Zinfra is a leading partner in the design, build, operation and maintenance of Australia’s energy and utilities infrastructure. Delivering a $1B portfolio annually, the work we do is essential to bringing energy to our communities safely and reliably, while powering the nation’s energy transition. With a diverse workforce of more than 2,300, we expertly deliver our services across Australia.

About the role

As a Design Manager at Zinfra, you will lead the delivery of engineering services across multiple ECI and D&C bids and projects in electrical distribution, while driving multi‑disciplinary design through the ECI / TOC phase to set projects up for successful Delivery Phase under the Major Works Contract. This pivotal role is accountable for resourcing, coordinating, and executing complex design solutions that directly contribute to the business’s annual revenue and profit targets. You’ll own the ECI Workplan and governance cadence, drive design maturity, produce the TOC submission artifact set, and ensure designs, records and controls are compliant with the client’s and contract requirements. Working closely with cross‑functional teams, you’ll ensure technical excellence, timely delivery, and client satisfaction. This is a dynamic opportunity to shape critical infrastructure projects, drive innovation, and play a key role in powering Australia’s energy future.

Key Responsibilities include

• Leading and mentoring high-performing design teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous development
• Driving the delivery of innovative, compliant, and cost-effective design solutions across multiple high-voltage D&C bids and projects
• Build and execute the Early Contractor Intervention workplan, define design deliverable gates (DR1 / DR2), coordinate site investigations, constructability, risk and value engineering, and compile the target outcome cost pack (Basis of Estimate, assumptions, exclusions)
• Manage design scope, assumptions and interfaces that underpin target costs against outcome costs vs Delivery Phase Offer quality, and KPI alignment; feed accurate cost / time / risk inputs to estimating and PMO
• Ensure design outputs, redlines and as‑builts meet Evoenergy Corporate Drafting Standards and handover requirements (including formats and record completeness)
• Developing compelling technical proposals and tender designs, clearly articulating scope, risks, schedules, and deliverables to support winning bids
• Collaborating with procurement and estimating teams, preparing tailored work packages and evaluating supplier and subcontractor offers
• Championing safety in design and risk management, participating in HAZOP, HAZID, and SID workshops to ensure robust, compliant outcomes
• Maintaining rigorous design governance, ensuring adherence to Zinfra’s systems, standards, and client requirements
• Run design reviews and page‑turns with the client; support contract governance forums and KPI reporting cadence

About You

You’re a engineering leader with a passion for delivering infrastructure projects. With a sharp commercial mindset and technical expertise, you thrive in high-pressure environments, inspire high-performing teams, and drive innovation. You bring clarity to complexity and turn strategic goals into exceptional project outcomes.

• Degree‑qualified Engineer (Electrical preferred; Civil / Structural considered) with design management experience on distribution / substation / UG mains projects of similar complexity
• Hands‑on leadership for multi‑disciplinary utility projects
• Working knowledge of construction contracts and how target outcome costs are developed, managed and progressed to Delivery Phase.
• Able to manage design scope and assumptions that protect commercial outcomes and meet KPI expectations
• Leading the development and execution of engineering strategies for large-scale infrastructure projects
• Driving value engineering and options analysis to deliver commercially competitive solutions
• Managing design systems, commissioning frameworks, and project-specific engineering governance
• Navigating codes, standards, and legislation with confidence and precision
• Building trusted relationships with clients, consultants, and delivery teams
• Championing safety, quality, and compliance across all phases of design
• Inspiring teams through coaching, strategic leadership, and a strong customer focus

Why you should work for us

What we do matters. Delivering safe and reliable energy makes a difference to people’s lives across our country every single day. We are proud to keep Australia connected while preparing the nation for a renewable future.

Our people are our energy source. We offer meaningful benefits and rewards, including being a certified family-friendly workplace, flexible work arrangements, various leave benefits, career development pathways, a wellbeing program, and more.

We also champion equal opportunity employment with commitments to gender equity and First Nations representation. We welcome applications from people of all culturally diverse group, all ages, differing abilities, the LGBTIQ+ community, neurodiverse individuals, and those with multiple or intersecting identities.

We believe Zinfra is a great place to belong—but don’t just take our word for it; hear our team members share what working at Zinfra means to them.

Recruitment Process

During our recruitment process, you may be required to undertake pre-employment checks including pre-employment medical, reference checks and a national police check.

Notice to Third Parties: Zinfra does not accept unsolicited resumes (or liability associated with fees or costs) from recruitment agencies, search firms or third parties. Interested candidates are welcome to submit their application independently.