General Manager – Design & Engineering

MILSPEC Energy Solutions is a growing Australian contractor delivering specialist services across the transmission, distribution and electrical infrastructure sectors. Working with utility providers, renewable energy developers and major infrastructure clients, we deliver complex projects safely, efficiently and to the highest industry standards.

As our business continues to expand, we are seeking an experienced and commercially focused General Manager – Design & Engineering to join our Senior Leadership Team and lead the development, management and delivery of MILSPEC's engineering and design capabilities.

This is a key leadership appointment offering the opportunity to influence the strategic direction of a growing business, establish and strengthen engineering functions, and oversee technical excellence across major energy infrastructure projects throughout Australia.

Based full-time at our North Lakes office in Brisbane, you will work closely with the Managing Director, project delivery teams, clients and key stakeholders to ensure engineering and design activities support successful commercial and operational project outcomes.

About the Role

Reporting to the Managing Director, you will be responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction and operational performance of MILSPEC's Design and Engineering function.

You will provide technical leadership across the business, oversee internal and external engineering resources, and ensure design and engineering activities are delivered efficiently, commercially and in accordance with relevant industry standards and project requirements.

This role requires a leader who can balance technical expertise with commercial awareness, business development and operational delivery.

Key responsibilities include:

Providing strategic leadership and oversight of MILSPEC's Design and Engineering function across transmission, distribution, substations and electrical infrastructure projects.

Developing and implementing engineering strategies, systems, processes and capabilities to support business growth.

Leading and managing engineering and design personnel, consultants and external design partners.

Overseeing engineering and design activities from concept and tender development through to detailed design, construction support, commissioning and project completion.

Ensuring engineering deliverables meet contractual requirements, relevant Australian Standards, legislation, client specifications and project objectives.

Providing technical direction and engineering oversight across multiple concurrent projects.

Establishing effective design management, review, verification and approval processes.

Managing engineering resources, budgets, programs and departmental performance.

Identifying opportunities to improve design efficiency, constructability, project outcomes and commercial performance.

Working closely with Project Managers and construction teams to ensure effective integration between design, engineering and project delivery.

Providing technical input into tender submissions, methodologies, project estimates and commercial proposals.

Supporting business development activities, client engagement and the identification of new project opportunities.

Building and maintaining strong relationships with utility providers, clients, consultants, subcontractors and other key industry stakeholders.

Identifying and managing technical, engineering and design-related risks.

Overseeing design changes, technical queries, engineering variations and associated commercial impacts.

Ensuring engineering documentation, records and deliverables are maintained in accordance with MILSPEC's management systems.

Providing regular reporting to the Managing Director on engineering performance, resource requirements, project risks and strategic initiatives.

Contributing to broader business planning, continuous improvement and the long-term growth of MILSPEC.

About You

You are an experienced engineering leader with a strong technical background in electrical infrastructure and a demonstrated ability to manage people, projects and commercial outcomes.

You understand the complexities of delivering major infrastructure projects and can effectively bridge the gap between engineering, construction and business operations.

You are equally comfortable providing technical direction, engaging with clients, managing multidisciplinary teams and contributing to high-level business decisions.

To be successful, you will ideally have:

Extensive engineering and design management experience within the transmission, distribution, utilities, renewable energy or electrical infrastructure sectors.

Demonstrated experience in a senior engineering leadership, design management or general management position.

Strong technical knowledge of transmission and distribution networks, substations and associated electrical infrastructure.

Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering and design teams.

A sound understanding of the full engineering and construction project lifecycle.

Strong commercial acumen, including experience managing departmental budgets, project costs, resources and financial performance.

Experience overseeing multiple projects and competing engineering priorities.

Demonstrated ability to develop and implement engineering systems, processes and operational improvements.

Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with major clients and industry partners.

Experience contributing to tenders, technical proposals, business development and project acquisition.

Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation and decision-making skills.

A proactive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels.

Willingness to travel to project sites and attend client meetings as required.

We are particularly interested in candidates who bring a combination of technical engineering expertise, project delivery experience and commercial leadership capability.

Qualifications & Experience

The following are highly desirable:

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.

Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status or equivalent professional recognition.

Current registration as a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ), or eligibility to obtain registration.

Significant experience within high-voltage transmission, distribution, substations or renewable energy infrastructure.

Previous experience working with Tier 1 contractors, utility providers, engineering consultancies or major infrastructure organisations.

Demonstrated experience managing engineering and design teams across complex infrastructure projects.

Project Management or business management qualifications.

Strong working knowledge of relevant Australian Standards, electrical safety legislation, engineering governance and design compliance requirements.

Current Australian Driver Licence.

Experience establishing, growing or leading an engineering division within a construction or infrastructure business will be particularly well regarded.

Why Join MILSPEC?

At MILSPEC, we're building a team of industry professionals who are passionate about delivering quality outcomes and shaping Australia's energy infrastructure.

When you join MILSPEC, you'll enjoy:

Full-time, office-based leadership position at our North Lakes office, Brisbane.

A key position within MILSPEC's Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Managing Director.

Opportunity to shape and lead the growth of MILSPEC's Design and Engineering function.

Exposure to major transmission, distribution, substation and electrical infrastructure projects across Australia.

Genuine influence over engineering strategy, technical direction and business development.

The opportunity to build and develop a high-performing engineering team.

A collaborative leadership environment that values initiative, accountability and innovation.

A growing business with an exciting pipeline of work and significant opportunities for continued expansion across Australia's energy sector.

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