Head of Engineering & Projects

Uniquip Engineering; Newcastle-Maitland; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Uniquip Engineering is seeking a strategic Head of Engineering & Projects to lead and grow our engineering function in Australia. You’ll own engineering delivery, mentor a multidisciplinary team and shape the technical standards underpinning bespoke process equipment projects.

Working with the CEO, you will drive efficiency, governance and margin, guiding major projects from concept through commissioning while expanding capabilities in green fuels, biogas and decarbonisation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Leading and mentoring a multidisciplinary engineering team including mechanical, process, thermal and renewable engineers.
• Providing senior technical leadership during project kick‑off, design reviews, HAZOPs, client technical discussions and the resolution of complex engineering issues.
• Establishing, maintaining and continuously improving engineering standards, design procedures, templates and technical systems.
• Allocating engineering resources in collaboration with Senior Project Managers to ensure projects are appropriately staffed, workloads are balanced and engineering deliverables are completed efficiently.
• Reviewing and approving engineering calculations, specifications, datasheets, equipment selections and technical deliverables to ensure compliance with client specifications, Australian Standards and applicable design codes.
• Developing engineering capability through mentoring, coaching, succession planning, performance feedback and targeted training initiatives.
• Identifying opportunities to improve engineering efficiency, innovation and the adoption of new technologies.
• Supporting recruitment, onboarding and performance management of engineering personnel.
• Contributing to the strategic growth of the business by strengthening Uniquip's engineering capability and technical reputation.

Job description

Job Title: Head of Engineering & Projects

ABOUT UNIQUIP ENGINEERING

Uniquip Engineering is a specialist Australian engineering company that designs and delivers bespoke process equipment and packaged systems for clients across the energy and industrial sectors. Our projects range from pressure vessels and heat exchangers through to complete gas processing skids, biogas packages, fired heaters and modular process plants.

Unlike many engineering companies, almost every project we undertake is unique. We don't manufacture a standard product; we work closely with our clients to solve complex engineering challenges and develop practical, fit-for-purpose bespoke solutions, we specialise in technically challenging designs. That variety makes Uniquip an exciting place for an engineering leader who enjoys solving technically challenging problems, developing people and helping shape the future of a growing business.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Uniquip is growing quickly and entering an exciting new phase. We've grown to a team of 18 talented people, built a strong reputation for delivering bespoke engineered equipment, and established ourselves as a trusted partner to clients across the industrial and energy sectors. With more opportunities ahead, we are investing in the engineering leadership, systems and capability needed to scale sustainably while continuing to deliver the high-quality, bespoke solutions our clients value.

Our ambition is clear: to grow into a team of 30+ people while continuing to improve the quality, consistency and sophistication of our engineering. The next stage of growth requires a senior person who can own engineering and project delivery, strengthen the leadership structure so technical and project delivery decisions can be made confidently across the business.

The opportunity is significant. We design and deliver highly specialised process equipment and integrated packages into technically demanding industries. While oil and gas remains an important part of our business, we are increasingly involved in projects across biogas, landfill gas, green hydrogen, waste-to-energy, thermal energy storage, carbon reduction and the commercialisation of emerging technologies.

As we continue to grow, our focus is on strengthening the engineering capability that underpins everything we do.

This is a newly created, hands‑on leadership position and a rare opportunity to help shape the future of the business. The successful person will need to be technically credible, commercially alert and comfortable stepping into detail when needed; while also building the systems and team capability.

We're looking for a Head of Engineering & Projects who has successfully led engineering teams through growth, enjoys building capability as much as solving technical problems, and wants to play a key role in taking Uniquip Engineering through its next phase of development.

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Engineering & Projects is responsible for leading Uniquip Engineering's engineering function, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, innovative and commercially practical engineering solutions across all projects.

Working closely with the CEO, Business Development Manager and Marketing & Operations Manager, the Head of Engineering & Projects provides technical leadership, establishes engineering standards and develops the capability of the engineering team.

The role is responsible for ensuring engineering resources are effectively planned, designs are technically robust and fit for purpose, and engineering activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with client requirements, relevant standards and company procedures. Strong commercial judgement is essential. The role requires someone who understands how engineering decisions affect margin, schedule, client expectations, variations, risk allocation and project profitability.

For major projects, a Senior Project Manager will lead overall project delivery, while the Head of Engineering & Projects will take ownership of the engineering scope and ensure technical delivery is aligned with project requirements. For smaller projects led by Project Engineers, the Head of Engineering & Projects will provide oversight, guidance and support to ensure each project is delivered effectively and meets its technical, commercial and schedule objectives.

Uniquip delivers bespoke engineered equipment and process packages including fuel gas conditioning skids, hot oil systems, fired heaters, flares, membrane systems, hydrogen purification packages, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, columns and modular process plants. As every project is unique, the Head of Engineering & Projects will lead a multidisciplinary team to develop practical, innovative solutions supporting Australia's energy, industrial and future fuels sectors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Head of Engineering & Projects is responsible for the leadership and performance of the engineering team and for ensuring engineering deliverables consistently meet the company's technical, commercial and quality expectations.

The role includes responsibility for:

Leading and mentoring a multidisciplinary engineering team including mechanical, process, thermal and renewable engineers.

Providing senior technical leadership during project kick‑off, design reviews, HAZOPs, client technical discussions and the resolution of complex engineering issues.

Establishing, maintaining and continuously improving engineering standards, design procedures, templates and technical systems.

Allocating engineering resources in collaboration with Senior Project Managers to ensure projects are appropriately staffed, workloads are balanced and engineering deliverables are completed efficiently.

Reviewing and approving engineering calculations, specifications, datasheets, equipment selections and technical deliverables to ensure compliance with client specifications, Australian Standards and applicable design codes.

Our smaller projects are led by Project Engineers, the Head of Engineering & Projects will provide oversight, guidance and support to ensure each project is delivered effectively and meets its technical, commercial and schedule objectives.

Developing engineering capability through mentoring, coaching, succession planning, performance feedback and targeted training initiatives.

Identifying opportunities to improve engineering efficiency, innovation and the adoption of new technologies.

Supporting recruitment, onboarding and performance management of engineering personnel.

Contributing to the strategic growth of the business by strengthening Uniquip's engineering capability and technical reputation.

Success Measures

The Head of Engineering & Projects will be successful in the role by:

• Developing a high-performing and engaged engineering team.
• Delivering consistent, high-quality engineering across all projects.
• Improving engineering efficiency through standardisation and continuous improvement.
• Maintaining strong technical governance and reducing engineering rework.
• Supporting successful project delivery through effective engineering resource planning.
• Building Uniquip's reputation for engineering excellence with clients and industry partners.
• Contributing to business growth through innovation and technical leadership.
• Diverse and technically challenging projects
• Significant involvement in green fuels, future fuels and decarbonisation projects, including emerging technologies such as biogas, hydrogen, waste-to-energy and carbon reduction.
• Growing engineering company
• Opportunity to influence the future direction of the business
• Flexible working arrangements
• Supportive, collaborative team
• Choice of office location (Chatswood or Cardiff)
• Ability to work on projects from concept through to commissioning

We are Growing

While this advertisement is for a Head of Engineering & Projects, we are also expanding our engineering team. If you are an experienced Project Engineer looking for technically challenging work in a growing business, we would also welcome your application.

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