PRINCIPAL STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

PCR Talent; Sydney; On-site; AUD 230,000 - 330,000; Full time

Job summary

PCR Talent in Sydney is seeking a Principal Structural Engineer on a Director-pathway to lead high-profile projects and deepen client relationships with architects, developers and end users. The role emphasizes leadership, technical excellence and a clear route to Director within ~18 months, with potential equity and performance bonuses.

Join a multidisciplinary practice that values strategic influence, project oversight and complex building solutions across residential, commercial and

Qualifications

• Proven track record as principal or senior associate.
• Experience with large-scale multi-storey, healthcare or commercial.
• Ability to develop client relationships and lead teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead client discussions and present engineering solutions.
• Collaborate with architects and developers to align design intent.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and design teams.

Skills

Leadership

Client relations

Structural engineering

Multi-disciplinary

Education

Bachelor degree in Structural/Civil Engineering

Tools

ETABS

SAP2000

AutoCAD

Job description

PRINCIPAL STRUCTURAL ENGINEER - Director Pathway

You don't need to bring an order book. You need to know how to build relationships.

For an accomplished Principal or senior Associate-level Structural Engineer, this is an opportunity to move beyond simply delivering another portfolio of projects and start positioning yourself for

Director-level leadership

This consultancy already has a substantial pipeline of work.

They are not looking for someone to arrive with a book of projects or a list of clients they can immediately bring across.

Instead, they are looking for a technically strong Structural Engineer who understands that the best consulting engineers don't simply design structures – they understand their clients.

Someone who can sit with an architect, developer or client, understand what they are trying to achieve, appreciate the commercial and design pressures they are facing, and develop an engineering solution around those needs.

That's the capability they want to develop towards Directorship.

Technical credibility + genuine client relationships

You will need strong technical foundations in building structures.

The consultancy has an established position across multi-storey residential, mixed-use and commercial development, so experience with significant and complex building structures will be important.

But you don't necessarily need to have spent your entire career doing the same type of building.

You may have developed particular expertise in:

• High-rise and complex buildings
• Hospitals and healthcare
• Education and schools
• Hotels
• Institutional or public buildings
• Technically or architecturally challenging structures

If you bring expertise in another building sector, there is genuine scope to develop and grow that capability within the business.

You don't need to bring the work with you.

• There is already a strong project pipeline.
• You don't need to arrive with an order book.
• What they want to see is evidence that throughout your career you have developed trusted relationships with architects, developers and clients.
• Understanding what matters to a client rather than simply what matters technically?
• Recognising the commercial implications of an engineering decision?
• Communicating complex engineering issues in a way that gives a client confidence?
• Can you become the engineer an architect or developer wants to call when they have their next project?

A realistic pathway to Director

This isn't an undefined promise that might happen sometime in the distant future.

For the right person who demonstrates the technical, client and leadership qualities the business is looking for, progression to Director level within approximately 18 months is considered realistic.

Importantly, progression at that level can also create the opportunity for shareholding/equity participation and meaningful performance bonuses.

A genuine financial and ownership dimension to the career progression, not simply another title.

Why make the move?

• It is not designed to be a lateral move.
• Join an established multidisciplinary consultancy with significant projects, a strong pipeline of work and direct access to senior decision-makers.
• Remain technically engaged while progressively increasing your involvement in clients, people, strategy and the commercial direction of the business.
• If you bring an additional sector strength, healthcare, education, commercial, hotels or another area of buildings, there is the opportunity to build something around that expertise as well.
• You don't need to leave behind what has made you a good engineer to become a Director.
• The opportunity is to add the commercial, client and leadership dimensions to it.

If you've reached the stage where another senior technical title isn't enough, and you want a credible pathway towards Director-level leadership, greater commercial influence and potential ownership in the business, this is worth a confidential discussion.