Principal Mechanical Engineer

kbr; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry leading salaries

20 days annual leave + accrual

Flexible work arrangements

Salary packaging

Professional membership fees

Life/Health insurance discounts

Employee stock purchase plans

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical building services across Defence and secure infrastructure in Australia. You will guide concept to construction, ensuring technical excellence and compliance, while mentoring engineers and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams.

The role requires deep experience in mechanical building services, aerospace/defence environments, and strong stakeholder engagement. A baseline security clearance and a Bachelor’s degree are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering is required.
• Baseline Security Clearance or the ability to obtain one is preferred.
• CPEng chartership or eligibility is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical building services design for Defence and secure infrastructure.
• Provide technical leadership for HVAC, ventilation, and energy solutions.
• Act as lead mechanical discipline engineer on large multidisciplinary projects.
• Manage deliverables, resources, budgets and programme requirements.
• Develop relationships with Defence clients and external stakeholders.
• Prepare and review technical reports, specs, calculations and design docs.
• Mentor engineers, designers and graduates in best practices.
• Collaborate with other disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Baseline Security Clearance / eligible for one

Chartered Engineer (CPEng) or equivalent

Job description

Principal Mechanical Engineer

KBR's Infrastructure Solutions business employs over 1,400 people across Australia. Our strong project delivery record, industry reputation and trusted partnerships have driven significant growth, creating outstanding career development and project opportunities for our people.

Who we are?

We're known for our collaborative "One Team" culture and our commitment to working closely with clients and construction partners to achieve exceptional results. Our open, inclusive environment ensures people are valued, supported and able to thrive. By joining KBR, you become part of a team that works together, shares common values and is united in delivering great outcomes.

We are seeking an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership and deliver innovative mechanical building services solutions across a diverse portfolio of AUKUS-related infrastructure projects. As a senior member of our Building Services team, you will lead the design and delivery of mechanical systems for complex Defence facilities, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams from concept development through to construction and commissioning.

This role combines technical excellence, project leadership, and client engagement, requiring a strong understanding of mechanical building services systems, Defence project requirements, and the delivery of complex infrastructure projects. You will play a key role in mentoring engineers, ensuring high-quality project outcomes, and building trusted relationships with both internal and external clients and key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of mechanical building services solutions across Defence and secure infrastructure projects, from concept through to detailed design and construction support.
• Provide technical leadership for mechanical systems including HVAC, ventilation, chilled and heating water systems, building automation interfaces, specialist Defence facility services, and energy-efficient design solutions.
• Act as the lead mechanical discipline engineer on major multidisciplinary projects, ensuring technical excellence, quality, and compliance with Defence requirements, Australian Standards, and relevant project specifications.
• Manage mechanical project deliverables, resources, budgets, and programme requirements to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Defence clients, project stakeholders, contractors, and external consultants.
• Prepare and review technical reports, specifications, calculations, design documentation, and engineering assessments.
• Mentor and support engineers, designers, and graduates, fostering technical development and engineering best practice.
• Collaborate with electrical, civil, structural, hydraulic, and other specialist disciplines to deliver integrated and practical engineering solutions.

Ideal Experience

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in mechanical building services design, a passion for solving complex engineering challenges, and experience delivering projects within Defence, government, or other mission‑critical environments.

• Extensive experience delivering mechanical building services projects within ideally the Defence market, however we would also consider experience across government, infrastructure, transport, health, or other complex built environment sectors.
• Proven experience working within multidisciplinary project teams and managing technical delivery on large‑scale projects.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical building services systems, HVAC design principles, and Defence infrastructure requirements.
• Experience delivering projects involving complex mechanical systems, sustainability outcomes, and technically challenging operational environments.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and project management skills.
• Ideally holds a Baseline Security Clearance, or has the ability to obtain and maintain one.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
• Chartered Engineer (CPEng) or the ability to obtain chartership.

Why KBR?

https://kbr.foleon.com/is-australia/who-we-are/who-we-are

This position gives you the opportunity to continue KBR's success in delivering major Defence, Transport and Infrastructure projects.

At KBR, we value you - here's how.

While our people are busy delivering leading science, technology, and engineering solutions, we're committed to providing them with a supportive, trusting environment and benefits that enable them to thrive and continue doing what they do best.

Benefits include

• Industry leading salaries reviewed annually.
• 20 Days of annual leave per year + the ability to accrue an additional 8 hours every 4 weeks (33 days in total)
• Flexible work arrangements (start/finish times, WFH, Flex time)
• Salary packaging and novated leases
• Paid professional membership fees
• Life/Health insurance discounts
• Employee stock purchase plans