Principal/Associate Planning Engineer - Water Networks

WSP in Australia; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay & Perks

Inclusive Culture

Career Growth

Flexibility

Family Support

Purpose-Driven Projects

Job summary

A leading infrastructure consultancy in Melbourne is seeking a Principal Planning Engineer to drive business development and lead technical delivery across water projects. The ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge of water utilities, project management experience, and a track record of successful client relationships. This role offers a competitive salary and the chance to work in a supportive, flexible environment while contributing to sustainable communities.

Qualifications

• Strong connections within the water utilities market.
• Proven project management experience and commercial acumen in a consulting environment.
• Expertise in infrastructure planning and/or detailed planning for water, recycled water, and sewerage systems.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic growth plans for the team.
• A track record of winning work and building client relationships.
• Experience resolving client issues and ensuring successful project outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Drive business development and prepare tenders aligned with AMP services.
• Lead the technical delivery of projects across a variety of water programs.
• Support and mentor team members, fostering wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion.
• Translate strategic plans into actionable delivery plans in the water market.
• Represent the company at industry events and contribute to thought leadership.
• Maintain billability on project work.

Skills

Client relationship building

Project management

Infrastructure planning

Strategic growth development

Water utilities knowledge

Client relationships

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

About Our Asset Management and Planning (AMP) Team

We are a national team delivering consulting services in strategic planning, master planning, detailed planning, business cases, and asset management for water and sewer networks, pumping stations, conveyance systems, and other water infrastructure. Our clients include Urban Utilities, Coliban Water, Melbourne Water, SA Water, and many others. With a strong pipeline of work and an impressive backlog, we have a stable platform for growth and the ability to be selective about the projects we pursue.

The Opportunity – Principal Planning Engineer

Joining our team as an Associate or Principal Planning Engineer, you will report to the Water Section Executive, Asset Management & Planning, and play a critical role in technical delivery, client engagement, and business development to strengthen our pipeline and deliver exceptional outcomes.

What You’ll Do

• Drive business development and prepare tenders aligned with AMP services.
• Lead the technical delivery of projects across a variety of water programs.
• Support and mentor team members, fostering wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion.
• Translate strategic plans into actionable delivery plans in the water market.
• Represent WSP at industry events and contribute to thought leadership.
• Maintain billability on project work.

About You

This role is strategically important to our future growth and impact. We’re looking for a leader who can inspire and develop a high‑performing team while delivering excellence. Ideally, you will have:

• Strong connections within the water utilities market.
• Proven project management experience and commercial acumen in a consulting environment.
• Expertise in infrastructure planning and/or detailed planning for water, recycled water, and sewerage systems.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic growth plans for the team.
• A track record of winning work and building client relationships.
• Experience resolving client issues and ensuring successful project outcomes.

Why Choose WSP?

At WSP, you’ll have the scale and resources to do meaningful work while feeling supported and empowered to grow your career. What makes us different:

• Competitive Pay & Perks – Great salary, salary continuance insurance, and more.
• Inclusive Culture – A team that values diversity and your unique perspective.
• Career Growth – Mentoring, leadership programs, secondments, and global opportunities.
• Flexibility – Work options that suit you, plus up to 4 extra weeks of leave.
• Family Support – Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave and return‑to‑work assistance.
• Purpose‑Driven Projects – Work that makes a real difference in building sustainable communities.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close‑knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 73,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world. An employee Share Purchase Plan is available to all our permanent employees who wish to become owners and vested partners in WSP’s collective success. To find out more about our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our people, and the programs we’ve designed to help you thrive, go to our Employee Benefits page.

Ready to Shape the Future of Wastewater Planning?

Apply today and be part of a team that’s driving innovation and sustainability across Australia. Want to know more? Contact Carmina Navalta from our Talent Acquisition team for a confidential discussion about the role. With us, you can. Apply today.