Lead Delay Planner For Iconic Rail Projects

Maxim Recruitment; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SMEC is seeking a Senior Engineer / Project Manager to lead end-to-end rail infrastructure projects from our North Sydney or Parramatta offices. You will apply high‑level, economical methods to drive complex project delivery and coordinate multi‑disciplinary teams while maintaining strong client relationships to ensure successful outcomes.

You will mentor staff, manage risks and scope, and support business development with compelling bids and proposals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor level or higher in Civil/Structural Engineering.
• Minimum 8+ years’ experience delivering Rail infrastructure projects.
• Experience in an engineering design consultancy environment.
• Excellent communication and leadership for project design development.

Responsibilities

• Provide project management and governance of complex rail projects.
• Source and maintain strong client relationships for project delivery.
• Lead project teams to ensure cohesion, optimal performance and development.
• Coordinate cross-disciplinary teams to ensure timely, quality deliverables.
• Contribute to the commercial success and bid/tender activities.
• Support business development with compelling submissions that meet client needs.

Skills

Rail project management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

Civil/Structural Engineering degree

Job description

Lead Delay Planner For Iconic Rail Projects

SMEC provides unique opportunities to work on iconic industry projects with experienced colleagues and leadership teams. We support and empower employees to drive innovation initiatives within a well‑established and growing organisation.

With over 16,500 employees working out of 120 offices in 40+ countries throughout Australasia, Asia, the Middle East, UK, Africa, North and South America, we partner with our parent company Surbana Jurong and sister company Robert Bird Group (RBG) to deliver integrated Infrastructure, Urban Development and Management Services expertise to our clients worldwide.

The Role

SMEC is currently seeking a Senior Engineer / Project Manager with experience managing the end‑to‑end project lifecycle of complex rail projects. This role can be based in either our North Sydney or Parramatta office.

The role is primarily responsible for applying high‑level innovative, economical and practical methods to drive the success of complex, high‑priority projects across major infrastructure.

This position manages a variety of diverse activities and teams across multiple disciplines, providing expert knowledge when required, as well as effective leadership, management, and development opportunities to project team members.

Our Project Managers are responsible for building SMEC’s reputation as a leading consultant with a strong brand recognised for innovation, technical excellence, quality, and project delivery, as well as growing the business through targeted client relationship management.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide project management and governance of complex projects to achieve reliable project performance in terms of commercial outcomes, design solutions, timeliness and quality
• Source, build and maintain strong and effective client relationships through successful project delivery and targeted activities
• Provide leadership to employees on the project to ensure project team cohesion, optimal performance, resourcing, retention and professional development
• Proactively collaborate with team members, contributors and stakeholders to maintain quality, timeliness and coordination of project deliverables
• Actively contribute to the commercial success of projects and the team; playing an essential role in driving successful business development activities
• Support business development initiatives, including the preparation, coordination and submission of bids, tenders and proposals, working collaboratively with internal teams to develop compelling submissions that align with client requirements and business objectives.

About You

• Degree qualifications in Civil/Structural Engineering or equivalent
• Experience successfully delivering Rail infrastructure projects, within an engineering design consultancy
• Minimum 8+years’ experience managing Rail infrastructure projects
• High level communication skills to advise and guide project design development in a pro‑active manner and to represent the SMEC design team as a valuable contributor to the project
• Extensive experience in the management, design and delivery of complex projects of national significance within multi‑disciplinary engineering projects
• Successfully monitored and managed the scope and risk of multiple complex and varying size projects and apply business systems
• Built and maintained trusting and effective relationships with key clients and stakeholders, and deliver excellent client service
• Delivered best client outcomes in multiple instances which have resulted in client cost savings and prevented community issues
• Effectively engage key stakeholders to result in superior project outcomes which meet or exceed client expectations

SMEC is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and gender‑equitable workforce and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds across engineering and technical disciplines. We provide 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.