Director & Chief Safety Engineer

Office of Industrial Relations QLD; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of Industrial Relations QLD in Brisbane seeks a Director and Chief Safety Engineer to lead the Engineering Services unit, driving technical leadership and high safety standards across high-risk sectors.

You will provide expert regulatory advice, oversee investigations, and shape licensing and enforcement activities. Strong collaboration with government, industry and stakeholders is essential.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in mechanical, civil or structural engineering.
• Registration or eligibility to register as a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate and monitor the Engineering Services unit, aligning with strategic objectives.
• Provide expert technical advice on occupational safety and engineering matters.
• Oversee incident investigations and prepare expert reports within your area of expertise.

Skills

Technical leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory awareness

Education

Bachelor's or higher in mechanical/civil/structural engineering

Registration or eligibility to register as a RPEQ

Job description

Office of Industrial Relations QLD – Fortitude Valley QLD

Join an established and supportive engineering team and contribute to work with a clear public purpose and direct community impact.

• - Facilitate technical leadership to improve workplace safety outcomes across Queensland.
• - Shape technical advice and regulatory responses to high-risk industries and emerging technologies.
• - Strengthen capability across a specialist engineering function.

This is a role of substantial technical and community significance, combining engineering authority, people leadership and the opportunity to improve safety outcomes across Queensland.

The Director and Chief Safety Engineer leads the Engineering Services unit, a multidisciplinary team with expertise across construction, mechanical, civil, electrical and electronic systems engineering.

Underpinned by a strong culture of collaboration and professional support, the engineering unit provides technical advice, training, auditing and regulatory support in relation to high-risk plant design applications, major amusement parks, plant and construction safety, incident investigations and emerging technologies.

As the Director and Chief Safety Engineer, you will:

• - Lead, coordinate and monitor the Engineering Services unit, setting priorities, managing competing demands and ensuring its people and resources are aligned with OlR's strategic objectives.
• - Provide expert technical advice on complex occupational safety and engineering matters.
• - Oversee technical aspects of incident investigations involving structural, material, electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, prepare expert reports and appear as an expert witness where required within your area of expertise.
• - Oversee the regulatory requirements for the design registration of high-risk plant and licensing of major amusement parks, assess applications against relevant technical standards and contribute to licensing and incident notification reviews.
• - Develop prevention, enforcement and intervention strategies in response to workplace risks and emerging technologies.
• - Represent OIR and Work Health and Safety Queensland at government, industry, professional and standards-development forums.
• - Build effective relationships with manufacturers, contractors, professional engineering bodies, regulatory organisations and internal stakeholders including the Electrical Safety Office.

About you

Mandatory qualifications/conditions include:

• - Tertiary qualification in mechanical, civil or structural engineering or a closely related discipline.
• - Registration or eligibility to register as a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland with the Board of Professional Engineers Queensland.

We are looking for an experienced engineering leader with a strong record of applying technical expertise to improve safety outcomes across a complex, regulated or safety-critical environment. A working knowledge of workplace health and safety legislation and regulatory processes will be highly regarded.

Your experience will include leading and developing high-performing professional or technical teams, managing competing priorities and operating effectively at both strategic and operational levels. Your leadership style is collaborative, approachable and consultative. You build trust, encourage contribution and create a positive culture in which experienced professionals can perform at their best.

Highly developed communication skills are essential, including the ability to explain complex matters to senior public officials, courts, industry leaders, professional peers and other stakeholders. You will be able to interpret technical evidence, research, policy, legislation and standards and translate them into practical strategies and clear advice.

Please see the position description for further information.

Applications to remain current for 12 months