Building Systems & Engineering Lead
Downer · Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Building Systems & Engineering Lead
Make a difference that matters by strengthening the safety, reliability and performance of critical building systems across some of Australia’s most important social infrastructure.
At Downer, we manage essential public infrastructure across health, education and other complex operating environments. The work we do helps keep vital services running so our customers can focus on caring, learning and supporting their communities. Critical building systems make that possible, and we’re looking for an experienced technical leader to strengthen how these assets are managed across our portfolio.
This is an opportunity to apply deep expertise in one building-system discipline, work across multiple technical systems and lead practical improvements that enhance service continuity, asset performance and whole-of-life value.
Importantly, when material building-system issues arise, you won’t simply provide advice. You’ll lead the technical response from diagnosis and options development through to implementation, verification and close-out, engaging specialist expertise where required.
The role will require travel to contract locations and operational sites across Australia and New Zealand as required.
What You’ll Do
This is not a traditional technical advisory role where your involvement ends with a report or recommendation.
As our Building Systems & Engineering Lead, you’ll provide technical leadership across critical building systems, including vertical transport, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, fire, building management and other specialist systems. Working within Asset Management, you’ll partner with business and contract teams, clients, service providers, Procurement, Commercial and Zero Harm to resolve issues, improve contractor performance and build a consistent approach to building-systems asset management.
Some key responsibilities will include:
- Lead the end-to-end technical response to material or recurring building-system issues, from diagnosis and root cause analysis through to solution implementation, verification and close-out.
- Maintain a portfolio-wide view of asset condition, reliability, availability, maintenance effectiveness, critical spares, obsolescence and risk, identifying emerging issues and improvement opportunities.
- Lead condition assessments, maintenance reviews, technical audits and targeted reliability and maintenance improvement initiatives across critical building systems.
- Develop renewal, modernisation and lifecycle strategies, support business cases and investment recommendations, and lead approved asset improvement initiatives through to commissioning and close-out.
- Set clear technical expectations for service providers, assess contractor performance, challenge recommendations and costs, and develop standards, tools and guidance that strengthen capability across the business.
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for someone with substantial experience in multiple building-systems and the technical credibility to work across multiple systems in complex, live or highly regulated facilities.
You may have built your career across operations, service, maintenance, repairs, renewals, technical support, engineering or asset performance. You do not need to be the deepest specialist in every system. What matters is your ability to apply strong systems thinking, coordinate specialist expertise and translate complex technical findings into practical outcomes to convert them into strategic programs which could be implemented across the portfolio.
You’ll bring:
- Strong technical knowledge in building-systems, supported by broad knowledge of their interfaces, maintenance practices, failure modes, reliability and lifecycle considerations.
- A track record of diagnosing complex or recurring asset failures and converting findings into practical improvement actions.
- Strong asset management capability across condition and criticality assessment, maintenance optimisation, lifecycle planning and whole-of-life decision-making.
- Experience leading technical improvement or capital works in live, critical or highly regulated facilities, from scope and options development through to commissioning and close-out.
- Sound commercial judgement and experience managing or challenging service delivery partner performance, technical quality, scope, cost, risk and value for money.
- A relevant trade, engineering, asset management or facilities management qualification, or equivalent substantial industry experience. Technical qualifications, licences or certifications in one or more building-system disciplines are desirable.
More than anything, you’ll bring technical credibility, sound judgement, practical problem-solving and the ability to influence stakeholders while maintaining clear ownership and disciplined follow-through.
Why Downer?
At Downer, we plan, create, and sustain essential public services across Australia and New Zealand. From hospitals to data centres and defence partnerships, we manage critical infrastructure that keeps communities thriving.
What It Means to Belong at Downer
We’re proud of our high-performance culture and commitment to diversity, offering:
- Training and development to support and diversify your career.
- With 30% of vacancies filled internally you’ll find real opportunities to advance your career.
- Perks@Downer: healthcare discounts, great savings on retail purchases, car purchases and much more.
- Employee Assistance Program: professional support for you and your family when you need it most.
You want your work to matter and so do we. With over 26,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team is made up of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas.
We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging.
We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals. Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.
As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.
If you need support or adjustments through the recruitment process, just let us know, we’re here to help you put your best foot forward.