Principal Engineer – Roads and Highways

About the job

• Join a global consultancy delivering iconic infrastructure projects
• Work alongside industry-leading specialists in a collaborative, flexible environment
• Shape your career with genuine professional growth opportunities

About SMEC

SMEC is a global engineering consultancy renowned for delivering complex, sustainable infrastructure solutions across transport, water, energy, and urban development markets. Our teams are empowered to innovate, solve technical challenges, and contribute to projects that positively shape communities across Australia and worldwide.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and gender‑equitable workforce and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds across engineering and technical disciplines. SMEC provides a supportive and flexible working environment that recognises individual contribution, supports career progression, and enables our people to balance work and life at all stages of their career.

As a family‑friendly employer, we offer flexible working arrangements and benefits including 18 weeks of universal paid parental leave. We are proud to foster an inclusive culture that supports gender equity, LGBTI+ inclusion and First Nations representation, with access to strong professional networks, role models, and mentoring and sponsorship programs.

Infrastructure

At SMEC, we understand that our continued success within the infrastructure market is the result of building long-term client relationships. We listen and understand the specific needs of our clients and deliver a complete value chain of services to provide sustainable solutions across major infrastructure projects worldwide.

The Role

SMEC is seeking a Principal Civil Engineer – Roads & Highways to play a key leadership role in the continued growth of our North Queensland business. Based in Townsville, you will lead the delivery of major transport infrastructure projects across the region while helping to strengthen our client relationships, technical capability, and local presence.

This is an opportunity to influence the future of transport infrastructure in North Queensland, working with a highly regarded team on projects that improve connectivity and create lasting community outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the design and delivery of complex roads and highways projects across North Queensland
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to multidisciplinary project teams
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships to support repeat work and business growth
• Oversee project performance, ensuring quality, budget and programme requirements are achieved
• Mentor and develop engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration
• Support strategic planning and contribute to the continued growth of our Roads & Highways capability in the region
• Collaborate with teams across Australia and New Zealand to deliver integrated infrastructure solutions

About You

You are an experienced civil engineering leader with a strong technical background in transport infrastructure and a passion for developing people and growing client relationships.

Suitable applicants will have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
• Approximately 15+ years' experience in roads and highways design and project delivery
• Strong knowledge of Queensland transport infrastructure standards, guidelines and approval processes
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering major infrastructure projects
• Proven business development and client management capabilities
• Strong commercial acumen and project management skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
• A commitment to technical excellence, innovation and continuous improvement
• Chartered status (or eligibility to obtain Chartered status) highly regarded
• Flexibility to undertake occasional domestic travel as required

Why SMEC?

At SMEC, you'll join a collaborative team delivering meaningful infrastructure projects that support regional growth and improve communities across North Queensland. As part of a global engineering consultancy, you'll have access to diverse career opportunities, technical specialists and industry-leading projects while maintaining the benefits of a strong local presence.

Be part of a team that's shaping the future of transport infrastructure across North Queensland and beyond.

How To Apply

All applications must be submitted online. To apply, click on the "Apply Now" link below and follow the prompts.

For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact Carl Thiedeke – carl.thiedeke@smec.com

To find out more about SMEC, please visit our careers page at www.smec.com/careers

All recruitment activities go through our Resourcing function and currently, this role doesn’t require agency input. Please do not forward resumes directly to SMEC employees/managers; we do not accept unsolicited resumes and are not responsible for any associated fees.

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