Principal Structural Engineer

KBR, Inc.; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR, Inc. is seeking a Principal Structural Engineer to provide senior leadership on defence and buildings infrastructure projects and to mentor engineers across the Adelaide team. The role emphasizes governance, design approval, and safety compliance within complex environments.

You'll collaborate with clients, contractors and regulators, shaping technical directions, bids and delivery strategies while upholding high standards of quality and safety across major projects in Australia.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering or equivalent.
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) with Engineers Australia.
• RPEQ, RPEV or equivalent registration, or willingness to obtain if required.
• Extensive experience delivering structural engineering services within regulated environments.
• Strong background in complex buildings and/or defence infrastructure projects.
• In‑depth knowledge of Australian Standards, construction compliance and assurance processes.
• Proven ability to exercise authoritative engineering judgement in complex, high‑risk situations.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with confidence engaging senior clients and stakeholders.
• A collaborative mindset with sound commercial awareness.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior structural engineering leadership across complex buildings and defence infrastructure projects.
• Act as a senior structural authority, advising on design intent, constructability, sequencing and risk.
• Review and approve structural designs, shop drawings, construction methodologies, ITPs and temporary works.
• Resolve complex structural and constructability issues arising during construction.
• Ensure structural works are delivered in line with programme, budget, quality and safety requirements.
• Work closely with construction teams, contractors and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Champion safety leadership and ensure compliance with WHS, Defence site and regulatory requirements.
• Represent KBR in client, contractor and regulator meetings.
• Provide mentoring and technical guidance to engineers, reviewing outputs and supporting development.
• Contribute to discipline standards, technical assurance frameworks and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support tenders, proposals and client engagements with senior technical input.

Skills

Leadership

Structural engineering

Stakeholder communication

Mentoring

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

CPEng with Engineers Australia

RPEQ/RPEV or equivalent

Job description

Principal Structural Engineer – Defence & Buildings Infrastructure

| Major Defence & Buildings Projects

Building on another year of strong growth across Defence and infrastructure programs, KBR is continuing to expand its Adelaide team. We’re seeking a Principal Structural Engineer to play a key leadership role, providing technical excellence and engineering direction on complex, high-profile projects that contribute to Australia’s future capability.

The Opportunity:

This role sits at the interface of design, construction and assurance, where sound engineering judgement directly impacts safety, capability and project outcomes. You will act as a senior structural authority, working closely with construction teams, clients and stakeholders to resolve complex technical challenges and ensure structural works are delivered safely, compliantly and efficiently.

As a Principal, you will also play a key role in technical governance, discipline leadership, mentoring senior engineers, and supporting major bids and pursuits, helping shape how KBR delivers defence infrastructure into the future.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide senior structural engineering leadership across complex buildings and defence infrastructure projects
• Act as a senior structural authority, advising on design intent, constructability, sequencing and risk
• Review and approve structural designs, shop drawings, construction methodologies, ITPs and temporary works
• Resolve complex structural and constructability issues arising during construction
• Ensure structural works are delivered in line with programme, budget, quality and safety requirements
• Work closely with construction teams, contractors and multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Champion safety leadership and ensure compliance with WHS, Defence site and regulatory requirements
• Represent KBR in client, contractor and regulator meetings
• Provide mentoring and technical guidance to engineers, reviewing outputs and supporting development
• Contribute to discipline standards, technical assurance frameworks and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support tenders, proposals and client engagements with senior technical input

Skills & Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (or equivalent)
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) with Engineers Australia
• RPEQ, RPEV or equivalent registration, or willingness to obtain if required
• Extensive experience delivering structural engineering services within regulated environments
• Strong background in complex buildings and/or defence infrastructure projects
• In‑depth knowledge of Australian Standards, construction compliance and assurance processes
• Proven ability to exercise authoritative engineering judgement in complex, high‑risk situations
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with confidence engaging senior clients and stakeholders
• A collaborative mindset with sound commercial awareness.

Due to the nature of our defence projects, Australian citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a Defence security clearance is required.

Why Join Us?

At KBR, you’ll be part of a forward‑thinking team delivering some of Australia’s most complex infrastructure projects. We’re investing in the future of South Australia — and you’ll be at the heart of it. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, high‑impact work that shapes critical Defence and national infrastructure, leaving a lasting legacy in the region.

We support flexible work arrangements that promote balance and wellbeing, and we offer ongoing professional development pathways, including support toward Chartered status.

KBR Values:

Our KBR Values — We Value Our People, We Deliver, We Are People of Integrity, We Empower, We Are a Team of Teams — reflect our people‑centric culture and the way we work. Our strong organisational culture and genuine focus on our people are key drivers of our success, and we’d love you to be part of that journey.

Learn more about life at KBR Adelaide via the links below:

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