Head of Engineering Design
Position Overview
- 2 Year Fixed Term | Full Time | Salary commensurate with experience
- Opportunity to provide leadership in Engineering Design Function
- Direct report to the Group Executive Infrastructure and Engineering Services
- Lucas Heights Location
About the Opportunity
The Head of Engineering Design is responsible for establishing and operationalising ANSTO's Engineering Design Practice as a sustainable, enterprise-wide engineering capability. The position will lead the development of the operating model, governance framework, systems, processes, engineering standards, resource planning model and capability requirements necessary to provide engineering design services across ANSTO's Infrastructure and Engineering Services portfolio.
The role will operate within a matrix environment and work closely with engineering, project delivery and operational stakeholders to ensure engineering design resources are effectively deployed, governed and integrated across ANSTO's assets, projects and programs. The primary focus of this two-year fixed-term appointment is organisational transformation, capability establishment and operational readiness rather than management of an established engineering team.
Your Duties and Responsibilities
Please click here to view the Position Description.
Skills and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering from a recognised institution.
- Eligibility for Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status or equivalent professional accreditation.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex engineering organisations, engineering services functions or engineering design practices.
- Proven track record establishing, transforming or growing multidisciplinary engineering teams and capabilities.
- Significant experience operating within matrix organisational structures.
- Demonstrated success leading organisational transformation programs.
- Experience establishing operating models, governance frameworks, processes and engineering systems.
- Strong capability in stakeholder engagement and organisational change leadership.
About Us
At ANSTO Infrastructure & Engineering Services, you'll have the opportunity to work on some of Australia's most unique and complex engineering challenges. Our people play a critical role in delivering the infrastructure, engineering expertise, and operational capability that enable ANSTO's national missions. If you're looking for meaningful work, a dynamic environment, and the chance to help shape the future, we'd love to hear from you.
ANSTO leverages great science to deliver big outcomes. We partner with scientists and engineers and apply new technologies to provide real-world benefits. Our work improves human health, saves lives, builds our industries and protects the environment. ANSTO is the home of Australia's most significant landmark and national infrastructure for research. Thousands of scientists from industry and academia benefit from gaining access to state-of-the-art instruments every year.
Benefits of Working with Us
ANSTO offers training and development, performance-based salary increases and an extensive range of leave provisions to help employees balance work and personal commitments.
- 18 days personal/carers leave for each year of service
- 3 days paid leave between Christmas and New Year
Generous parental leave provisions:
- 18 weeks Parental leave for primary caregiver
- 14 weeks Parental leave for secondary caregiver (with incremental increase to a maximum of 18 weeks effective 01/03/2027)
- Annual flu vaccinations
- Cultural, Naidoc and First Nations ceremonial leave
If you want to join a world class organisation that's making a difference in the lives of Australians, apply now!
How to Apply
To be eligible for appointment, applicants will require a security and pre-employment medical assessment.
ANSTO has engaged Ignite to support the recruitment and search process. Ignite will assess all applications, including those from external candidates. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the relevant essential criteria and address the following requirements:
- Outline your experience establishing and leading technical and engineering design teams supporting fit for purpose technical operations and project delivery, including the overall team size and number of engineers.
- Provide a brief overview of your extensive experience leading technical infrastructure and engineering design functions in complex, highly regulated environments. Include how you have provided strategic and technical direction to multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver safe, reliable and fit-for-purpose business outcomes.
- Describe your experience establishing and maintaining engineering architectures, systems and processes across the full engineering lifecycle—from concept development and design through construction, commissioning, operation and asset management. Include relevant experience defining technical strategies, engineering tools, configuration management, design controls and governance frameworks that enable effective decision-making, knowledge management and engineering assurance.
- Attach copies of your Engineering degree and relevant professional qualifications and certifications under Supporting Documents.
How to Apply
For further technical information relating to this position please refer to the Position Description or contact Jasmine Reay on 0477936252 For all other queries please contact Talent Acquisition on +61 (02) 9717 3740.
Application closing date: 8th October 2026 at 11:59pm
For internal employees: See "How to Apply" requirements above and submit application directly in peoplehub.
For externals and internal contractors: See "How to Apply" requirements above and submit applications directly to Michael.Knight@igniteco.com to collate and cc: Walid at mohamadw@ansto.gov.au.
Application closing date: 8th October 2026 at 11:59pm
All applicants must be Australian citizens.
In order to solve great challenges, we need great minds and great teams. At ANSTO, we understand that diverse teams produce better outcomes and we value the merit that a diverse perspective can bring to our team. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, primary carers, those with a disability, and women in STEM.