Principal engineer - Water

Michael Page; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit Share Bonus

Job summary

Michael Page in Sydney seeks a Principal Engineer - Water to lead and oversee complex water projects, delivering high‑quality outcomes and innovative solutions. Based in Sydney, this senior role offers influence over business strategy, client growth and a high‑performing team, with opportunities to shape the Water division and major development programs.

You will nurture relationships with developers, councils and industry stakeholders, win work and drive growth across subdivision and water

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering Sydney Water and/or development-related projects.
• Commercial acumen and client management expertise.
• Proven leadership and team development capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a well-established Sydney Water and development engineering team.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with developers, councils, contractors and key industry stakeholders.
• Identify, secure and deliver new business opportunities.
• Provide technical leadership across major development and infrastructure projects.
• Mentor and develop a capable team of engineers and designers.
• Contribute to strategic business decisions and future growth initiatives.
• Represent the business within the broader Sydney Water market.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Client relationship management

Water infrastructure expertise

Team mentoring

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Job description

The Principal Engineer - Water will lead and oversee complex water-related projects, ensuring high-quality outcomes and innovative solutions. Based in Sydney, this role offers a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible impact in the water resources industry.

Are you recognised across the Sydney Water market not only for your technical expertise, but also for your ability to build trusted client relationships, win work and lead high-performing teams?

An established and growing utility engineering consultancy is seeking an experienced Lead or Principal Engineer to take ownership of its Sydney Water Major Projects and Development capability. This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership position with genuine influence over business strategy, client growth and team development.

Working alongside an established team that already focuses on Water infrastructure projects, you'll be instrumental in driving the next phase of growth across subdivision, unit development and broader water infrastructure projects throughout Sydney.

Description

This role is about far more than delivering technical outcomes.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading and growing a well-established Sydney Water and WSC capable engineering team
• Developing and strengthening relationships with developers, councils, contractors and key industry stakeholders
• Identifying, securing and delivering new business opportunities
• Providing technical leadership across major development and infrastructure projects
• Mentoring and developing a capable team of engineers and designers
• Contributing to strategic business decisions and future growth initiatives
• Representing the business within the broader Sydney Water market

Profile

We are interested in speaking with professionals who have built a strong reputation within the Sydney Water sector and are ready to take on a broader commercial and leadership role.

You may currently be working as a:

• Principal Engineer
• Lead Engineer
• Senior Design Manager

You'll ideally bring:

• Extensive experience delivering Sydney Water and/or development-related projects
• Strong relationships across developers, councils, contractors and industry stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to identify and win new work
• Commercial acumen and client management expertise
• Proven leadership and team development capability
• A passion for growing people, projects and business performance

Job Offer

What Makes This Role Different?

• Significant influence over the future direction of the business
• Strong autonomy and authority to shape the Water division
• Existing project pipeline and market presence to build upon
• Opportunity to leverage your industry profile and relationships
• Genuine pathway to help drive long-term growth and profitability
• Profit-share structure that rewards business success

What's On Offer?

• Highly competitive base salary
• Profit Share Bonus
• Flexible, senior leadership role
• Strong level of autonomy and decision-making authority
• Opportunity to shape and grow a key business division
• Established brand and market presence
• Career-defining leadership opportunity within the water industry

If you're a respected industry professional in civil engineering with a strong reputation in the water infrastructure sector, looking for the opportunity to lead a business unit, grow a team and leverage your network to create lasting impact, we'd love to have a confidential conversation.