Principal Waterways Engineer

Council Jobs; Mackay Regional; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 18% superannuation

Salary sacrificing options

Employee Assistance Program

Wellbeing initiatives

Lifestyle benefits

Corporate discounts

Active social clubs

Job summary

Mackay Regional Council is seeking a Principal Waterways Engineer to lead flood and stormwater initiatives across the Mackay region. The role focuses on modelling, advisory work and long-term infrastructure strategies to support community resilience and development decisions.

The position, within the Strategic Planning program, involves senior leadership engagement, policy development and cross‑team coordination to deliver evidence-based outcomes through to March 2027.

Qualifications

• Experience in planning, design and construction of public infrastructure with hydrologic/hydraulic modelling.
• Knowledge of engineering design standards and risk management principles.
• Understanding of trunk infrastructure financial implications and long-term planning.
• Knowledge of Queensland Urban Drainage Manual and Australian Rainfall & Runoff.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications and reports.
• Strong analytical, reporting and business case development skills.
• Experience managing multiple projects and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, review and implementation of flood mitigation and stormwater management strategies.
• Undertake and manage flood modelling activities across the Mackay LGA, coordinating with external consultants.
• Support development of asset management strategies for flood mitigation and drainage infrastructure.
• Assist with Local Government Infrastructure Plan preparation, including service standards and cost impacts.
• Contribute to infrastructure planning policies and design guidelines.
• Provide authoritative flood, stormwater and infrastructure planning advice to senior leaders and project teams.
• Prepare technical reports and briefing materials for Council under regulatory frameworks.
• Coordinate technical consultation with internal teams, agencies, developers and the community.

Skills

Hydraulic modelling

Standards & risk

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Technical communication

Plan interpretation

Multi-project leadership

QLD driver licence

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Tools

XPRafts

TUFLOW

Job description

Principal Waterways Engineer - SP0036

Bring your flood and stormwater expertise to a senior specialist role where your modelling, advice and infrastructure planning will directly influence community resilience, development decisions and long-term investment across the Mackay region.

Join Mackay Regional Council's Strategic Planning program and help shape strategies that protect our waterways, coastal environments and growing community.

Operating as a trusted senior specialist, you will provide authoritative technical advice to senior leaders, project teams and Council, while leading the development, review and implementation of flood mitigation, stormwater management, drainage planning and infrastructure strategies. This temporary opportunity, ending in March 2027, offers the chance to influence evidence-based planning and long-term infrastructure outcomes across the region.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development, review and implementation of flood mitigation and stormwater management strategies, studies and policies.
• Undertake and manage flood modelling activities across the Mackay local government area, including coordination with external consultants.
• Support the development of asset management strategies for flood mitigation and stormwater drainage infrastructure.
• Assist with the preparation, amendment and review of the Local Government Infrastructure Plan, including Desired Standards of Service and cost impact assessments.
• Contribute to infrastructure planning policies, Council's Engineering Design Guidelines and locality-specific plans.
• Provide authoritative flood, stormwater and infrastructure planning advice to senior leaders, project teams and Council to support evidence-based policy, planning and investment decisions.
• Prepare technical reports, correspondence and briefing materials for Council in line with current and emerging regulatory frameworks.
• Coordinate technical consultation and engagement with internal teams, government agencies, developers, consultants, the community and the Local Disaster Management Group to support strategic infrastructure planning and flood and coastal hazard matters.

About you

To be successful, you will bring:

• Significant experience in the planning, design and construction of public infrastructure, including hydrologic and hydraulic modelling using XPRafts and TUFLOW or comparable software, and the development and interpretation of 2D flood models.
• Substantial knowledge of engineering design standards, Australian Standards, legislative requirements and risk management principles.
• Understanding of the commercial and financial implications of trunk infrastructure planning, including impacts on long-term financial planning and the development industry.
• Strong understanding of flood and stormwater management, including the Queensland Urban Drainage Manual and Australian Rainfall and Runoff.
• Highly developed ability to read and interpret plans, specifications and engineering reports.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, report writing and business case development skills.
• Experience managing multiple projects, consultants or subcontractors, and delivering outcomes within tight timeframes.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships, consult stakeholders and resolve complex issues.
• A degree with extensive relevant experience in Civil Engineering or a related field, or an equivalent combination of qualifications, skills and experience.
• A current QLD 'C' Class driver licence, or interstate equivalent with the ability to transfer to QLD within three months of commencement.

Why join MRC?

• Temporary full-time - through to the end of March 2027
• Stream A Salaried Level 7 Base Hourly rate of $66.01
• Up to 18% superannuation, conditions apply.
• Choice of 4 or 5 weeks' annual leave with 17.5% leave loading.
• Salary sacrificing options may be available.
• Employee Assistance Program and wellbeing initiatives.
• Lifestyle benefits and corporate discounts.
• Active social clubs.

Applications close: 22 October 2026

Important information for applicants

To be considered for this position, all candidates must have the appropriate working rights for Australia. Work rights will be verified during the recruitment process.

Applicants who progress beyond the interview stage will be required to undergo a pre-employment process, including comprehensive medical assessments and drug and alcohol testing.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and value diversity. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace.