Principal Engineer
Are you an experienced Engineer with a strong background in delivering multidisciplinary projects? Are you passionate about shaping infrastructure that makes a real difference to your community? If so, this is your opportunity to lead and influence some of Sydney Water’s most exciting and impactful projects. Sydney Water is seeking a Principal Engineer to provide technical engineering leadership and design management expertise across all phases of design development and detailed design.
In this role, you will act as a Client Design Manager, responsible for the technical design of infrastructure solutions. You will play a key role in:
- ·Directing Design Development Teams to prioritize core client needs and sufficiently de-risk projects to enable D&C teams to accurately scope and price the work.
- Developing Business Cases and managing the design scope.
- Providing strategic guidance on design management, standards, and technical issue resolution.
- Facilitating deviations from standards where appropriate and sourcing specialised engineering support.
- Ensuring the buildability, operability, and maintainability of designs.
- Leading stakeholder engagement throughout planning, design, and acceptance phases.
- Administering consultant contracts, including managing variations, time extensions, disputes, performance, and finalisation.
- Collaborating with contractors through Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) to develop methodologies and cost estimates.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Design Director and Project Managers by ensuring the design scope is clearly defined and effectively managed.
- Provide clear, consistent guidance to internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Champion engineering excellence and innovation across multidisciplinary teams.
About you:
- Degree -qualified engineer recognised under the Washington Accord–civil, hydraulic, electrical/ mechanical, process
- At least 5-10 years of professional experience managing concept or detailed design of multidisciplinary engineering, infrastructure or industrial projects.
- Professional experience in engineering – experience working in a design house, leading concept or detailed design, operational experience in engineering or interface role, planning role and/ or project management.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in the planning and design of engineering projects for low to high-risk complexity multidisciplinary projects.
- Developed skills in preparation of engineering project objectives, scope, and specifications.
- Well-developed strong communication skills, able to build relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- The ability to guide and mentor, providing advice and subject matter expertise to a multidisciplinary team.
About the team:
The Water and Environmental Services team operates and manages Sydney’s water and environmental assets. The team fosters a collaborative and friendly working environment; you will work with a culturally diverse and multifaceted team of dedicated professionals who support and celebrate success together. The leadership team encourages professional growth and learning and will support you in your career journey. The team is proud to help deliver projects that will advance Sydney’s long-term growth.
Dive into Our Great Benefits:
- Competitive Remuneration: We’ll ensure that your skills and contributions are valued and rewarded appropriately.
- Hybrid Work Environment: We offer a hybrid work model that balances remote work and office collaboration, supporting our team's productivity and well-being.
- Continuous Professional Growth: We will invest in your career with leadership and development programs to propel your success.
- 24/7 Wellbeing Support: Access for you and your family to free and confidential mental health and general health support through our EAP portal.
- Discounted Private Health Insurance: Unlock affordable access to top-tier health coverage with our discounted insurance plans.
- Family First: Prioritise your family with up to 18 weeks of fully paid parental leave and a childcare allowance.
- Fitness Passport: Achieve your physical fitness goals using our Fitness Passport, granting you access to a multitude of gyms and pools across NSW.
- Novated Leasing: Get in the driver's seat of your financial future with our novated lease options.
Closing Date: 27th July 2025
Please advise if you require any adjustments to actively participate in the application and recruitment process. For any further information please contact [email protected]
Working at Sydney Water
We welcome and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including First Nations people, LGBTQIA+, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and veterans.
As part of the application process, Sydney Water will be collecting your personal information to assess your suitability for the role. We will also use your personal information to establish a LiveHire talent profile in our Talent Community.
We look at our Talent Community first when new opportunities come up when you apply for a role. Your personal information will be collected in accordance with LiveHire’s Terms, Privacy Policy and Sydney Water’s Privacy Collection Statement – Job Application
Please see the position description for the role’s full accountabilities.
