Principal Engineer, Roads & 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

At SMEC, you'll have the opportunity to influence the future of transport infrastructure across Queensland while working on some of the region's most complex and high-profile roads and highways projects. As a Principal Engineer, Roads & Highways, you'll provide technical leadership, drive project excellence, and play a key role in the continued growth of our Queensland Transport business.

This is an exciting opportunity for an established industry leader who enjoys balancing technical delivery, client engagement, team development, and business growth. Working within a collaborative multidisciplinary environment, you'll lead major projects from concept through to delivery while helping expand our capability and market presence across Queensland.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the design and delivery of major roads and highways projects across Queensland
• Provide technical leadership and oversight on complex transport infrastructure projects
• Drive business development initiatives through client relationship management and identification of new opportunities
• Manage project performance, ensuring delivery is achieved safely, on time, and within budget
• Develop and mentor engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, industry partners, and key stakeholders
• Contribute to strategic planning, capability development, and business growth initiatives across the region
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative and integrated project outcomes

About You

You are a recognised transport engineering professional with extensive experience delivering roads and highways projects within a consulting environment. You bring strong technical expertise, commercial acumen, and the ability to build trusted relationships with clients, project partners, and team members alike.

As a proven leader, you enjoy mentoring and developing others while driving successful project outcomes. Your understanding of the Queensland transport market, combined with your ability to identify opportunities and influence strategic direction, positions you to make a significant impact within our growing business.

Suitable applicants will have:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or an equivalent qualification
• Chartered Engineer and/or Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ)
• Approximately 15+ years' experience in roads and highways design and project delivery
• Demonstrated experience leading complex transport infrastructure projects within a consulting environment
• Strong knowledge of the Queensland transport market and relevant design standards
• Proven project management capability, including scope, programme, financial, and resource management
• Established client relationships and a successful track record in business development and work winning
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and leadership skills
• A commitment to technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Chartered status, or eligibility for chartership, will be highly regarded
• Willingness to undertake occasional travel as required

About the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast offers the perfect balance between career opportunity and lifestyle. With world-class beaches, a thriving economy, growing infrastructure investment, and easy access to Brisbane and Northern New South Wales, it's an ideal location for professionals looking to advance their careers while enjoying everything Southeast Queensland has to offer.

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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