Principal Surface Water Engineer

Slr Consulting; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SLR Consulting in Australia’s APAC Hydrology and Hydrogeology Team is seeking a motivated surface water professional to join our Brisbane or Townsville offices. You will lead projects across mining, infrastructure, renewables and built environment, applying hydrology, hydraulic modelling and water resources expertise to deliver solutions for clients.

Reporting to the Queensland Surface Water State Lead, you will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, develop models, prepare high‑quality

Qualifications

• Engineering degree with relevant industry experience.
• RPEQ registration within six months of hire or equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience in hydraulic modelling, particularly 2D hydraulic modelling (TUFLOW).
• Experience in hydrologic modelling and assessments (RORB, WBNM, XP RAFTS) and knowledge of Australian rainfall/runoff guidelines.
• Knowledge of related surface water engineering areas such as stormwater, erosion control, water quality and flood risk.

Responsibilities

• Deliver surface water environmental assessments and design projects for a broad range of clients across multiple sectors.
• Undertake work involving hydrologic/hydraulic modelling and water balance modelling software.
• Develop models and prepare quality reports for internal and external clients on time and within budget.
• Develop, facilitate and enhance relationships between clients and SLR team members.
• Contribute to work winning by developing methodologies and value propositions for clients.
• Provide advice to clients and team on best principles and practices.
• Be a strong generalist with high‑level review capabilities and commercial acumen.

Skills

Hydrology modelling

TUFLOW

RORB

WBNM

XP RAFTS

Communication

Project management

Client relationships

Driving licence

Team mentoring

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

MUSIC

GoldSim

Job description

SLR’s One Team Culture and Commitment

At SLR Consulting, we are technical specialists working on projects with real impact, improving the sustainability of operations for some of the largest and most high-profile organisations in Australia. As a global consultancy, our portfolio spans across industries, markets, and geographies, with our technical teams specialising in finding solutions to the sustainability challenges presented to our clients. Our mission statement is “Making Sustainability Happen,” and through our technical leadership, familiarity with our clients’ business drivers, and strong team culture, we are building a sustainable future in collaboration with our clients.

We are proud to have the flexibility to deliver large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects as well as small, single-discipline projects, and everything in between. Our nimble business approach is enabled through governance and processes that empower our staff, with pragmatic risk management and a strong culture of collaboration. This approach enables our staff to work on a broad range of technically interesting and challenging projects, learn from industry-leading specialists, and develop their personal brand with confidence.

Our APAC Hydrology and Hydrogeology Team

Our 60+ person Hydrogeology and Hydrology (H&H) Technical Discipline is one of the largest in SLR Asia Pacific and, as such, is core business. Our business plan focuses on the expansion and enhancement of core business, building on a solid foundation of work with Tier 1 clients in Mining, Built Environment, Renewables, and Infrastructure. We are seeking a motivated surface water professional to join our team and drive the growth of our mature technical team by leveraging new opportunities with existing clients and forging partnerships with new ones.

This role will report to our QLD Surface Water State Lead. We have an adaptable operational approach, and the role can be based in either our Brisbane or Townsville offices, where we have existing teams of 16 and 5 staff, respectively. This position is ideal for someone looking to advance their career by applying their practical knowledge of hydrology, hydraulic modelling and water resources, leading projects across various industries in collaboration with strong technical teams.

We work in a collaborative environment across our H&H teams in Brisbane, Townsville, Newcastle, Wollongong, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, and closely with other SLR environmental specialists.

The group delivers projects across SLR’s market sectors, including Built Environment, Infrastructure, Industry, Mining & Minerals, and Power. Our 2025 project focus is on:

• Expanding our portfolio in infrastructure and energy (renewables)
• Expanding our capability in advisory services including expert witness support to the QLD courts.
• Supporting our surface water growth into geographies outside of QLD

Responsibilities

You will be a positive team player with a great sense of humour, that goes without saying! You will also be responsible for the following:

• Delivering surface water environmental assessments and design projects to a broad range of clients across multiple sectors.
• Undertaking work that involves the application of hydrologic and hydraulic modelling software and/or water balance modelling software.
• Working alongside staff developing models and preparing quality reports for internal and external clients on time and within set budgets.
• Developing, facilitating and enhancing relationships between our internal and external clients and SLR team members.
• Contributing to work winning in the development of prospects into proposals, developing methodologies and identifying the value proposition to assist clients to meet their deadlines.
• Providing advice and assistance to internal and external clients, team members and Project Managers on projects regarding best principles and practices.
• Being a strong generalist who can provide high‑level review work with strong commercial acumen.

Experience

We welcome staff seeking flexible work arrangements including applications for permanent part time. Our ideal candidate will have between 10-15+ years of industry experience, including experience within a consultancy, and have:

• Appropriate Engineering tertiary qualification and relevant industry experience.
• Registration as a Registered Professional Engineer Queensland (RPEQ) or appropriate professional experience and qualifications to support achieving RPEQ registration within six months of hire.
• Extensive experience in hydraulic modelling, particularly application of two‑dimensional hydraulic modelling (TUFLOW);
• Experience in hydrologic modelling and assessments (RORB, WBNM and XP RAFTS) and understanding of Australian Rainfall and Runoff and relevant guidelines and standards.
• Knowledge and experience of associated areas of surface water engineering would be highly regarded such as stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, water quality assessment, streamflow assessments, flood risk analysis and site water management.
• Experience in the assessment of and input into design of water related structures e.g. dams, levees and diversions.
• Knowledge or experience in MUSIC or GoldSim modelling would also be highly regarded but is not essential.
• Experienced in EIS/EA amendment approvals and or understanding of QLD legislation in the resources sector would be highly regarded.
• Excellent communication skills and technical report writing.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects throughout the project lifecycle.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, self‑motivated and ability to work effectively within a team. Experience in mentoring, training or supervising staff would also be highly regarded.
• A strong track record in building, nurturing and maintaining ongoing client relationships.
• Excellent driving history and hold a current driver’s licence.

Our Benefits

Of all the benefits at SLR we are most proud of incredibly diverse, expert and friendly team. But whether you are working flexibly, participating in our mentoring network, or looking to utilise our supportive parental leave scheme, our benefits ensure to cater for all.

You can find a comprehensive list here.

Next Steps

So, if this sounds like the ideal environment for you, come and join us! Apply with a copy of your CV or for more information or to have a confidential discussion please contact the Talent Acquisition team.