Associate Director – Systems Engineering & Safety Assurance

Come grow with us. 

AECOM is involved in the most interesting and challenging transport infrastructure projects that are shaping the landscape around us and defining the future of Australia and NZ. We live and breathe culture, making sure our lives are integrated with our professional development and we actively enjoy the journey.

Our teams work collaboratively across the world and our transportation experts leverage local knowledge and global capability to help clients navigate challenges and build a better world. Our expertise in planning, designing, and managing transportation systems allows us to help public and private clients move people and goods in smarter, more advanced, and sustainable ways.

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

AECOM’s Rail team in NSW is entering an exciting period of growth. Following several recent project wins including involvement in a number of high-profile rail programs currently underway in Australia.  Our team is expanding to support a strong pipeline of delivery work and upcoming major pursuits.

We’re now looking for an experienced Associate Director – Systems Engineering & Safety Assurance to play a key leadership role within our Rail business. This is an opportunity to help shape the safety and systems assurance approach across complex rail and metro programs while working alongside some of the most experienced rail professionals in the industry.

Based in Sydney, you’ll be part of a highly collaborative national rail team delivering major transport infrastructure projects that are shaping the future of mobility across Australia.

How you’ll make a difference

• Lead and grow the Systems Engineering & Safety Assurance capability within AECOM’s NSW/ACT Rail team.

• Provide technical leadership across major rail and metro programs, supporting delivery of complex multidisciplinary projects.

• Develop and implement safety assurance strategies, including hazard identification, risk assessment and ALARP/SFAIRP demonstrations.

• Lead the development of safety cases, hazard logs and risk registers, ensuring projects meet client and regulatory requirements.

• Apply strong systems thinking to the capture, verification and validation of system safety requirements across the project lifecycle.

• Undertake and guide RAM and safety analysis to support robust safety arguments and project assurance outcomes.

• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing expert guidance on systems engineering and safety assurance frameworks.

• Support business growth through technical leadership, mentoring of junior engineers and contribution to strategic pursuits.

The qualities that help you thrive

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don’t tick all the boxes you could still be a perfect fit for this role. Please apply, all applications will be considered.

• Extensive experience in rail systems engineering and safety assurance within complex infrastructure programs.

• Strong understanding of rail safety standards and methodologies including EN50126/50128/50129, ISO/IEC 61508 and ALARP/SFAIRP principles.

• Proven leadership experience delivering safety assurance activities across major rail, metro or transport projects.

• Experience managing hazard analysis activities such as HAZID, HAZOP, FTA or FMECA.

• Ability to work confidently with clients, regulators and multidisciplinary project teams.

• A degree in engineering or a related discipline, with relevant rail industry experience.

Why join AECOM’s Rail team

AECOM is involved in some of Australia’s most complex and high-profile transport infrastructure programs. Our rail specialists collaborate across Australia and globally, combining local expertise with world-class capability to deliver safer, smarter and more sustainable transport networks.

With a strong pipeline of work across metro, freight and passenger rail programs, there has never been a better time to join our team and play a key role in shaping the future of rail in Australia.

Why you’ll love working with us 

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, part-time, job-sharing and hybrid work options
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year         
• Volunteer and representation leave
• 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.

Learn more about life at AECOM: LinkedIn, Facebook , Instagram, X, YouTube - explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!

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 2025. 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.