PRINCIPAL ENGINEERING OFFICER

Brisbane City Council; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 133,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Free gym and wellness centre

Generous leave provisions

Job summary

Brisbane City Council is seeking a Senior Engineer within the City Planning and Economic Development Services to lead a team in delivering development application assessments and engineering condition fulfillment. You will exercise delegated authority, interpret legislation, and provide trusted technical guidance to managers and councillors.

You will oversee day-to-day workloads, supervise and mentor staff, drive performance, and champion continuous professional development to build a cohesive,

Qualifications

• Leadership capabilities aligned with Council’s Leadership Blueprint.
• Expertise in applying best-practice engineering principles to assess infrastructure applications and construction compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineers in delivering development application assessments and condition fulfillment.
• Provide high-level technical advice to Development Services Managers, Councillors and Council Executives.

Skills

Leadership capabilities

Engineering principles

Legislation & policy interpretation

Organization & time management

Discretion & confidentiality

People management & coaching

Negotiation & stakeholder engagement

Education

Tertiary Engineering Qualification

Job description

Personnel Area: City Planning Economic Development Services

Branch: Development Services

Salary Range: Band 7 $132,572 - $144,942 per annum + super, leave loading + potential further benefits package dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

(Remuneration stated is for full-time positions)

Work type: 3x Temporary Full-time

Duration: Up to 2 years

Our Business

Brisbane City Council is one of Australia's largest local governments and one of the city's largest employers. With a commitment to delivering services that keep Brisbane moving, growing and thriving, Council offers meaningful work, career development opportunities and the ability to make a genuine impact on the community.

City Planning and Economic Development Services (CPEDS) Group manage development applications, provide planning and development advice, develops strategic planning policy and economic strategies. Our work supports sustainable growth, helps shape Brisbane's future and ensures the city continues to be a great place to live, work and visit.

Our Branch

Development Services facilitates high-quality, sustainable development outcomes for Brisbane, through efficient and professional development assessment, engineering condition fulfillment, and management processes, systems and practices.

The Role

Join a high‑performing team where you’ll lead skilled engineers in delivering high‑quality development application assessments, and condition fulfillment that shape our city’s future. In this pivotal role, you’ll apply a high‑level of understanding of legislation, policies and processes while exercising delegated authority for engineering applications and permits. You will manage complex technical assessments, construction issues, resolve escalated technical issues with a high-level of professional engineering judgement and discretion, and provide trusted technical advice to Development Services Managers, Councillors and Council Executives.

You will also provide hands‑on supervision, coaching, mentoring and expert guidance to support strong project management capability and deliver high‑quality development outcomes. In this role, you’ll oversee day‑to‑day workloads, drive staff performance, and champion continuous professional development to build a cohesive, motivated and future‑ready team.

This role blends leadership, technical challenge and meaningful community impact.

To be considered you will have:

• proven leadership capabilities consistent with Council’s Leadership Blueprint.
• demonstrated expertise in applying best‑practice engineering principles to assess infrastructure applications, and construction compliance within complex legislative frameworks
• the ability to interpret and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, guidelines and standards
• well-developed organisation and time management skills to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• strong ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality in a complex, fast‑paced environment
• demonstrated ability allocating day‑to‑day workloads, setting clear priorities and expectations, providing support and feedback and monitoring ongoing performance
• strong communication skills with negotiation and consulting experience

This role requires a Tertiary Engineering Qualification, valid ‘C’ Class Drivers licence and Criminal History Check.

Please consider the full position description and tailor your cover letter and resume to outline your suitability.

Benefits of working for Council include:

• flexible working hours, and flexible arrangements
• free gym and wellness centre
• award winning superannuation fundgenerous leave provisions

Closing Date:

Saturday 5 December 2026 at 11:55pm AEST

Brisbane City Council is a multi-award winning accessible and inclusive workplace where our people represent the diverse communities we serve, are supported, and can feel safe. Council has been awarded Employer of the Year at the National Disability Awards and has been recognised multiple times with ‘Gold Employer’ status from the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTI inclusion.

Council and its employees must follow the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 (Qld) and the Code of Conduct. This means employees are expected to act with honesty, fairness, and always prioritise the public interest over personal or private gain. The Code of Conduct requires employees to openly disclose any other work they do outside of Council — including paid or unpaid employment, operating their own business or volunteering in certain circumstances — and to manage any conflicts of interest or other risks (such as fatigue) in a way that puts the public interest first. Maintaining employment outside Council does not preclude you from being considered for roles within Council.

People from diverse backgrounds, including those living with a disability and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who may have questions about the recruitment process or working at Council, are encouraged to reach out to the contact above, who can connect you with a member of Council’s Diversity and Inclusion team.