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SMEC

Principal Engineer - Transport Planning & Advisory

Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics

Posted 28/05/2026
Closes 11/06/2026

Brisbane Airport, 4008, Brisbane, Queensland

Full time

Not specified

This is a Principal Engineer - Transport Planning & Advisory role with SMEC based in Brisbane, QLD, AU
== SMEC ==

Role Seniority - senior

More about the Principal Engineer - Transport Planning & Advisory role at SMEC

Create futures worth inheriting with SMEC and the SJ Group

About SJ Group

At SJ, we’re building identity into infrastructure, character into skylines and peace of mind into everyday life.

A global urban and infrastructure consultancy firm with over 75 years of project delivery success, SJ and its member companies continue a collective legacy that delivers global expertise with local precision.

Become part of our 16,000 client-centric specialists in more than 120 offices in over 40 countries who shape spaces across the world to meet the needs of today and the aspirations of generations to come.

About SMEC

We unlock the potential of our people to look at infrastructure differently, creating better outcomes for the future.

We are committed to positively impact the people, the environment and the clients and communities we serve.

The Role

Lead. Influence. Shape the future of transport.

An exceptional opportunity exists for a Principal Engineer – Transport Planning & Advisory to join a leading multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy. This is a pivotal leadership role for an experienced professional ready to drive technical excellence, mentor high-performing teams, and play a key role in winning and delivering complex, large-scale projects.

As a Principal Engineer, you will provide expert technical leadership and advanced project management capability across a diverse portfolio of transport planning and advisory projects. You will play a critical role in reviewing major projects, guiding concept design development, and contributing to business growth through targeted work-winning activities.

You will also take a leadership position within the team by mentoring, coaching, and developing engineers while contributing to the strategic direction of the discipline.

Key accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership & Collaboration

  • Provide leadership and proactively collaborate with team members, contributors and stakeholders to maintain quality, timeliness and co-ordination of project deliverables

  • Provide significant supervision, leadership, mentoring and coaching of more junior staff

  • Encourage and assist others to build strong internal and external networks and relationships

  • Take an active leadership role within the team in collaboration with Manager / Team Leader

Technical Excellence

  • Provide expert advice and demonstrate advanced technical skills, ensuring that analysis and design tasks meet appropriate technical standards and client requirements

  • Apply expert engineering knowledge and judgement to deliver practical and economical solutions

  • Oversee development of functional specifications and produce high-quality technical reports

  • Propose alternative and innovative solutions where required

Project & Commercial Management

  • Demonstrate high level project management skills to deliver outcomes on time and to the required standard

  • Plan and manage complex large-scale projects, including cost estimates, tender submissions, technical documentation, and project scheduling

  • Manage project scope, risk, resources, and financial performance

  • Drive Quality Assurance and ensure adherence to QA, EMS and OH&S requirements

  • Actively contribute to the commercial success of projects and support business development initiatives

Business Development & Strategy

  • Contribute to targeting and securing new work

  • Develop proposals, including leading teams to deliver submissions

  • Develop new client relationships and enhance existing ones

  • Contribute to business planning, profitability, and strategic growth of the discipline

  • Maintain a strong industry profile and actively participate in industry associations

About You

You are a highly accomplished transport professional with strong leadership capability, a commercial mindset, and a passion for delivering high-quality outcomes.

Suitable applicants will be/have:

  • Bachelor’s Degree (Engineering) or equivalent

  • Member of Engineers Australia

  • CPEng, RPEQ

  • 20+ years’ relevant professional experience

  • Well-established profile within the industry

  • Extensive QA experience

  • High level consulting and client management skills

  • Strong business planning, budgeting and commercial acumen

  • Advanced communication skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly

  • Proven project management capability across scope, cost, and schedule

  • Strong understanding of relevant Australian Standards and specifications

  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment

  • Flexible, collaborative, and proactive working style

  • Ability to manage competing priorities and perform under pressure

Why Join Us?

  • Work on diverse and challenging infrastructure projects

  • Be part of a collaborative, high-performing team

  • Opportunities for professional growth and career progression

  • Contribute to meaningful projects with social, environmental, and economic impact

For a confidential conversation reach out to Ami on **********@smec.com

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

Link to benefits: http://www.smec.com/en_au/careers/your-career-with-SMEC

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

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At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!

Before we jump into the responsibilities of the role. No matter what you come in knowing, you’ll be learning new things all the time and the SMEC team will be there to support your growth.

Please consider applying even if you don't meet 100% of what’s outlined

Key Responsibilities

  • ‍ Leading and mentoring
  • Project delivery
  • Client relationship management

Key Strengths

  • Leadership
  • Project management
  • ️ Technical expertise
  • Business development
  • ️ Communication skills
  • Networking

A Final Note: This is a role with SMEC not with Hatch.

Applications open to:

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Principal Engineer - Transport Planning & AdvisoryBrisbaneQueenslandFull timeSMECManufacturing, Transport & Logistics