Principal Civil Engineer - Cairns

WSP Global Inc.; Cairns Regional; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP Global Inc. in Cairns, Australia, seeks a Principal Civil Engineer specialising in Bridges, Roads and Structures to provide senior technical oversight and lead project delivery on major transport schemes in North Queensland.

You will mentor engineers, advise clients and act as a trusted design authority while ensuring safety and quality across the work and contributing to bids and strategic opportunities.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering with RPEQ.
• At least 15 years delivering transport infrastructure projects.
• Strong leadership in bridges, roads and structural engineering.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership across complex transport infrastructure projects.
• Act as a design authority, ensuring technical excellence and risk management.
• Lead and review technical reports, drawings, and design documentation.
• Manage small to medium projects including scope, fees, programme and resources.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships with trusted technical and commercial advice.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers to grow capability.
• Collaborate across disciplines and regions to deliver integrated solutions.
• Drive safety, health, environment and quality across project activities.
• Contribute to business development through bids and tenders.

Skills

Leadership

Project leadership

Mentoring

Client relationships

Communication

TMR standards

Education

Civil Engineering degree

RPEQ

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 collaborate with leading experts to deliver complex, high‑impact outcomes. Our culture values technical excellence, leadership, and diverse perspectives, giving you the opportunity to shape infrastructure that matters while building a career defined by influence and purpose.

The Opportunity

As a Principal Civil Engineer specialising in Bridges, Roads and Structures, you will play a key technical and leadership role in major transport infrastructure projects across North Queensland and beyond. You will provide senior technical oversight, lead project delivery, mentor engineers, and act as a trusted advisor to clients. This is a role for an experienced professional looking to influence outcomes at a strategic level while remaining technically engaged.

This role is based in WSP’s Cairns office, with flexible work arrangements available.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide senior technical leadership across complex transport infrastructure projects.
• Act as a design authority, ensuring technical excellence, compliance, and risk management.
• Lead and review high‑quality technical reports, drawings, and design documentation.
• Manage and oversee small to medium projects, including scope, fees, programme, and resources.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, providing trusted technical and commercial advice.
• Guide and mentor junior and mid‑level engineers, supporting capability building within the team.
• Collaborate across disciplines and regions to deliver integrated solutions.
• Drive safety, health, environment, and quality outcomes across all project activities.
• Contribute to business development through bids, tenders, and strategic opportunities.

What You’ll Bring:

• A degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline, with RPEQ.
• At least 15 years’ experience delivering transport infrastructure projects, ideally within a consultancy environment.
• Strong expertise in bridges, roads, and structural civil engineering.
• In‑depth knowledge of Queensland TMR standards and approval processes.
• Proven ability to provide technical leadership and independent engineering judgement.
• Experience managing projects, including budget, programme, and client expectations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• A collaborative leadership style and a strong commitment to quality and safety.

Why Choose Us?

Join a high‑performing team where your experience and leadership will shape infrastructure outcomes for communities across Australia. At WSP, we invest in our people, support flexible working, and provide opportunities to lead, mentor, and influence at scale.

Our global team of more than 83,000 professionals works together to deliver solutions that future‑proof communities around the world.

An Employee Share Purchase Plan is available to all permanent employees, offering the opportunity to become owners and vested partners in WSP’s success. We are committed to the health, wellbeing, and development of our people and offer a range of benefits designed to support you throughout your career.