Design Lead

Ekium Australia, a company of Groupe Snef, is an established engineering and design business based in Adelaide. We specialise in engineering and detailed design, 3D modelling, product design, digital twins, and immersive technologies including VR and AR.

As our business continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced Design Lead to join our already established, talented and diverse team.

Located at our Dulwich office, only minutes from the city, this is a fantastic opportunity for the right person to be involved in all aspects of engineering, design and digital engineering services.  Our services include CAD Design & Detail, Visualisation, Product Design, Prototyping & Workshop, and Engineering.

Our clients are a who’s who of leading industrial, mining, defence, infrastructure and consumer equipment manufacturers and suppliers. You will have the opportunity to work across a wide range of disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, structural, piping, machine design, and product design, using a diverse range of software packages including Inventor, SolidWorks, MicroStation, AutoCAD, PTC Creo, NX and CATIA.

The Role

As Design Lead, you will take responsibility for driving design outcomes across projects, balancing technical excellence with project requirements, budgets, programmes, and client expectations.

You will work closely with clients, engineers, project managers, and our internal design team to ensure projects are delivered to a high standard, on time and within agreed scope.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading design projects from initial concept through to detailed design and final deliverables.
• Taking responsibility of design budgets, programmes, milestones and deliverables.
• Planning and coordinating design resources to ensure projects remain on track. In conjunction with Operations Manager and other Leads.
• Managing design priorities, scope changes, risks and technical issues throughout the project lifecycle.
• Reviewing and providing direction on design and drafting work to ensure quality, accuracy and consistency.
• Working directly with clients and project stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver effective design solutions.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary design activities across mechanical, electrical, structural, piping, machine and product design.
• Providing technical leadership and guidance to designers and drafters.
• Mentoring and developing junior and intermediate designers and drafters, helping build technical capability and confidence within the team.
• Identifying opportunities to improve design processes, standards, workflows and the use of digital technologies.
• Contributing to innovative solutions using 3D modelling, visualisation, VR, AR and other Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Maintaining a strong focus on client satisfaction, design quality, commercial outcomes and successful project delivery.

About You

We are looking for a talented and experienced designer who is ready to take the next step into a genuine leadership role.

You will have developed industry skills, strong technical capability and the confidence to lead both projects and people. Just as importantly, you will be a strong communicator who enjoys working collaboratively and contributing to a positive team environment.

Ideally, you will have:

• Formal qualifications in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design or a related discipline, through University or TAFE or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience in engineering design and detailed drafting.
• Experience working on complex industrial, mining, defence, infrastructure, manufacturing or product design projects.
• Strong 3D CAD and design capability.
• Experience coordinating projects, design packages or design teams.
• An understanding of project budgets, milestones, programmes and deliverables.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to mentor, guide and develop other designers and drafters.
• A proactive approach to problem solving and project delivery.
• A strong commitment to quality and attention to detail.
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team.

Experience with software such as Inventor, SolidWorks, MicroStation, AutoCAD, PTC Creo, NX or CATIA will be highly regarded.

Why Join Us?

You will be joining a forward-thinking, growing organisation working at the forefront of engineering design and digital twin technologies.

We genuinely believe that our people are our greatest asset. We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture where talented people can develop their careers, work on interesting and challenging projects, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

You will enjoy:

• Working with a talented, diverse and supportive team.
• Exposure to a wide range of industries, clients and projects.
• Opportunities to work across engineering, product design, visualisation, prototyping (3D printing) and digital technologies.
• On-site parking.
• A positive workplace culture that values and recognises its people.
• A role that provides variety, responsibility and the opportunity to make a real difference.

Join Our Team

If you are an experienced designer or drafter looking to move into a Design Lead position, where you can combine your technical skills with project leadership, commercial responsibility and mentoring, we would love to hear from you.

If you are looking to join a forward-thinking, diverse and innovative company where your experience and ideas are valued, please don't hesitate to apply.

Reference: 092026