Role
The Engineering Director is accountable for leading engineering and design delivery on major EPC projects, typically exceeding $1 billion in value. The role provides senior technical, operational and people leadership across large multi-discipline teams, ensuring engineering is delivered safely, efficiently, on schedule, within budget and to the required quality standards.
As the senior engineering authority on the project, the Engineering Director works closely with the Project Director, Construction Director, Procurement Director and client leadership to align engineering with procurement, construction, commissioning and overall project objectives.
Key Accountabilities
Engineering Leadership
· Lead large, geographically dispersed engineering and design teams and establish a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, delivery and innovation.
· Develop and implement the engineering execution strategy and ensure alignment with procurement, construction and commissioning.
· Provide strategic direction to Project Engineering Managers, Discipline Leads and engineering teams.
· Champion technical excellence, engineering best practice and continuous improvement.
Project Delivery
· Accountable for delivery of all engineering and design scope in accordance with safety, quality, budget, schedule and client requirements.
• Ensure engineering deliverables support procurement, construction and commissioning priorities.
• Monitor progress, drive productivity improvements and lead recovery planning where performance falls below target.
Client Engagement
• Act as the primary engineering interface with senior client stakeholders and build trusted relationships with client engineering leadership.
• Present engineering performance, risks and mitigation strategies to executive stakeholders.
• Support change management, claims avoidance, customer satisfaction and future business growth.
Technical Governance
• Ensure compliance with company management systems, industry standards, regulatory requirements and client specifications.
• Oversee engineering assurance, technical governance, key design decisions and engineering reviews.
• Resolve complex technical and organisational challenges and implement lessons learned.
Risk Management
• Identify, manage and mitigate engineering risks across the project lifecycle.
• Lead engineering input to project risk reviews, contingency planning and forecasting.
• Manage technical uncertainty and emerging project issues proactively.
Resource & Capability Management
• Define the project engineering organisation and ensure appropriate staffing through each phase of execution.
• Lead workforce planning, capability development and succession planning for critical roles.
• Coach engineering leaders and promote inclusive, collaborative teams.
Commercial Performance
• Manage engineering budgets, productivity targets, forecasting and cost control.
• Drive engineering efficiency, value improvement and margin improvement opportunities.
• Assess commercial impacts of scope growth, change and delivery performance.
Safety Leadership
• Demonstrate visible leadership in health, safety and environmental performance.
• Ensure engineering designs support safe construction, operation and maintenance.
• Promote a strong safety culture and lead corrective actions related to engineering incidents or design deficiencies.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic
• Develop engineering execution plans, delivery strategies and performance objectives.
• Support bid and proposal activities for future major projects.
• Participate in executive project governance reviews.
Operational
• Lead engineering management forums and manage discipline interfaces.
• Review KPIs, performance metrics and delivery risks.
• Resolve cross-functional issues affecting project delivery, including technical queries and design changes.
People Leadership
• Lead engineering and design teams of 200–1,000+ personnel across global execution centres.
• Develop future engineering leaders through coaching, mentoring, performance reviews and talent assessments.
• Foster collaboration across disciplines, locations and delivery partners.
Essential Qualifications
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng), Professional Engineer (PE) or equivalent professional registration.
Experience Requirements
• Minimum 20 years’ engineering experience, including at least 10 years in senior engineering leadership roles.
• Proven experience leading engineering delivery on major EPC or EPCM projects, preferably exceeding $1 billion in capital value.
• Demonstrable experience leading large multi-discipline engineering and design teams, typically 300–1,000+ personnel across multiple locations or global execution centres.
• Strong client-facing experience with senior project, engineering and executive stakeholders.
• Experience across FEED, detailed design, procurement support, construction support and commissioning phases in complex capital projects.
• Relevant sector experience in industries such as:
§ Energy
§ Chemicals
§ Refining
§ LNG
§ Nuclear
§ CCUS
§ Sustainable fuels
§ Mining and Metals
§ or comparable major industrial infrastructure.
