Project Engineer / Senior Project Engineer

Forefront Recruitment Pty; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Unknown is seeking a Project Engineer/Senior Project Engineer in Melbourne to join a major development program. This client-side role focuses on managing substantial packages across vertical construction, with exposure to structure, services and fitout within a fast-growing, collaborative environment.

You will work closely with the head contractor, consultants and internal teams to monitor programme, quality and delivery, while driving issue resolution and handover through multiple trades.

Responsibilities

• Review construction methodology and short-term look-aheads.
• Coordinate design and trade interfaces.
• Monitor inspections and quality documentation.
• Track RFIs, hold points, variations, defects and closeout information.
• Take ownership of packages and challenge decisions constructively.
• Represent the client on site, working with the head contractor, consultants and internal project team.

Job description

This is an opportunity to move client-side with a global data centre developer, owner and operator delivering a significant pipeline across Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

The Melbourne team is growing alongside a major development program in the western suburbs. The base build is underway, with piling commencing and the project moving through foundations, structure, building services and fitout.

We are looking for an experienced Project Engineer or Senior Project Engineer with a strong record of delivering substantial packages on major commercial building projects. Experience across data centres, hospitals, defence, education or other large and technically complex developments will be well regarded.

You will have independently managed packages from procurement and subcontractor appointment through design coordination, construction, commercial management, quality, completion and handover. Your experience could include structure, façade, fitout, building services or other significant packages within a major building project.

Representing the client on site, you will work closely with the head contractor, consultants and internal project team to monitor programme, quality, risk and delivery.

Your responsibilities will include reviewing construction methodology and short-term look-aheads, coordinating design and trade interfaces, monitoring inspections and quality documentation and identifying issues before they affect the project. You will also track RFIs, hold points, variations, defects and closeout information while ensuring the head contractor remains accountable for delivery.

This is not a position where you will simply observe the builder and report on progress. You will be expected to understand the detail, challenge decisions constructively and take genuine ownership of your packages.

To be considered, you will have delivered major vertical building projects for a head contractor, coordinating structure, services, design and multiple trade packages within a complex construction environment.

Data centre experience is not essential. What matters is a strong and progressive head-contractor background, experience delivering large and complex buildings and the ability to clearly explain the packages you have managed and the outcomes you delivered.

The opportunity extends beyond the initial base build. You will gain exposure across structure, services, fitout, operational areas, commissioning and handover, giving you a much broader understanding of project delivery than you may receive working within one package or discipline.

You will work closely with experienced Project Managers and senior leaders who remain actively involved in delivery. As your knowledge and capability grow, there is a genuine opportunity to take responsibility for larger packages and progress into broader project management roles across the Australian platform.

The culture is collaborative, technically capable and low ego. People share information, solve problems together and are trusted to take ownership rather than being restricted by layers of management.

For someone coming from a major builder, this is an opportunity to retain a close connection to construction while gaining client-side commercial, technical and strategic exposure within one of the fastest-growing areas of the market.

The salary is $150k-$180k + super + bonus, depending on experience.