Application Guide

How to Apply for Principal Architect

at AECOM

🏢 About AECOM

AECOM stands out as a global leader in sustainable infrastructure and environmental solutions, with a strong commitment to building legacies that positively impact communities and the planet. In Australia, they're known for delivering innovative, complex projects that address critical needs while advancing sustainability goals. Working here offers the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant projects while being part of a company that values technical excellence and environmental stewardship.

About This Role

As Principal Architect at AECOM Australia, you'll lead design and documentation for complex projects, with a particular focus on Defence sector work while potentially contributing to data centre or rail projects. This role requires balancing technical rigour with client advisory responsibilities, ensuring design quality across all project stages while mentoring junior team members. Your work will directly support Australia's critical infrastructure needs through integrated, innovative solutions.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day typically involves leading design reviews for Defence projects, coordinating with structural, MEP, and security consultants to ensure integrated solutions, and providing technical guidance to junior architects. You might spend mornings reviewing documentation for compliance with Defence standards, afternoons in client meetings presenting design solutions, and time mentoring team members on complex detailing requirements for secure facilities.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who AECOM Is Looking For

  • A registered Principal or Senior Architect with demonstrated experience in Defence sector projects, understanding the unique security, compliance, and operational requirements
  • Proven track record in leading multidisciplinary teams on complex infrastructure projects, with bonus experience in data centres or rail projects
  • Strong technical documentation skills combined with the ability to provide clear, structured advice to clients on complex architectural challenges
  • Experience mentoring junior architects and delivering confident presentations to diverse stakeholders including Defence clients

📝 Tips for Applying to AECOM

1

Quantify your Defence project experience - specify project types, scales, and your specific contributions to security-sensitive or compliance-heavy architectural work

2

Highlight any AECOM-aligned experience with sustainable design or innovative infrastructure solutions, particularly in the Australian context

3

Demonstrate your multidisciplinary coordination skills with concrete examples from Defence or complex infrastructure projects

4

Prepare a portfolio that shows both technical documentation excellence and design innovation, with emphasis on Defence or related secure facilities

5

Reference AECOM's 'Sustainable Legacies' strategy and how your experience aligns with their focus on environmental solutions

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific Defence sector architecture experience and understanding of Australian Defence requirements', 'Examples of leading multidisciplinary teams on complex projects and delivering integrated solutions', "How your technical rigour and design approach align with AECOM's focus on sustainable, innovative infrastructure", 'Your mentoring experience and ability to uplift junior team members in a technical environment']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → AECOM's recent Australian Defence projects and their 'Sustainable Legacies' strategy in the Australian market
  • → Current Defence infrastructure priorities and spending in Australia, particularly around facility modernization
  • → AECOM's approach to multidisciplinary project delivery and their innovation in sustainable infrastructure
  • → The specific challenges of Defence architecture in Australia, including security standards and operational requirements

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through your experience with Defence facility design, including how you've addressed security and compliance requirements
2 Describe a complex project where you coordinated multiple disciplines and how you ensured design consistency
3 How do you balance technical rigour with innovative design solutions in infrastructure projects?
4 Share an example of providing clear, structured advice to a client that influenced key project decisions
5 How have you contributed to sustainable design principles in previous Defence or infrastructure projects?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic application that doesn't specifically address Defence experience or AECOM's sustainability focus
  • Overemphasis on purely aesthetic design without demonstrating technical documentation and compliance capabilities
  • Failure to show understanding of the multidisciplinary coordination required for complex infrastructure projects

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to AECOM!

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