Defence Project Manager

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Join AECOM as a Defence Project Manager leading key projects across Western Australia while driving our Defence market strategy. We are looking for an Associate Director level candidate to deliver major initiatives, grow regional capability, and build strong relationships with clients and partners across the Defence sector.

How you’ll make a difference:

• Leading the end-to-end planning, coordination, and execution of high-value Defence infrastructure and consultancy projects, ensuring alignment with client objectives and AECOM’s quality standards.
• Overseeing complex procurement and contract management processes in accordance with Defence policies and procedures, with a focus on value, compliance, and performance outcomes.
• Acting as a trusted advisor and delivery partner to Commonwealth representatives, industry stakeholders, and internal technical teams — building credibility through your leadership, reliability, and deep domain knowledge.
• Ensuring rigorous project governance by managing program schedules, budgets, risk profiles, and quality assurance processes — driving accountability and transparency across every phase of delivery.

The qualities that help you thrive:

• A tertiary qualification in Engineering, Project Management, or Construction Management, with ideally 15+ years' experience in PMCA or similar project delivery roles within Defence or government environments. Local experience in Western Australia is highly regarded.
• In-depth knowledge of Defence project and contract frameworks, including a strong understanding of the Defence Capability Lifecycle.
• A proven track record in delivering multiple complex projects, leading multidisciplinary teams, and engaging effectively with stakeholders at all levels through strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong commercial acumen, particularly in procurement, contract negotiation, and performance management.
• Due to the nature of this role, Australian Citizenship is essential. A current Baseline Defence clearance is preferred, or eligibility to obtain an Australian Government security clearance is required.
• We strongly encourage veterans to apply.

Why you’ll love working with us 

• Veteran Employment Support & Reservist Leave
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year
• Life and income protection plans, personal travel insurance discounts         
• Share purchase plans
• Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better

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 is a company that thinks and acts globally, sharing work across the Australia and New Zealand and the globe; experience working in a workshare environment will be advantageous.

#Work180

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: https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

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 $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com 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.