Senior Contracts Lead – Roads & Civil Infrastructure

Multicultural Consulting Services Pty Ltd; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Up to 6 weeks additional annual leave

Volunteer leave

Flex public holidays

Job summary

AECOM in Sydney is seeking a Principal Civil Engineer to lead multidisciplinary infrastructure projects across defence, transport, rail, energy, land development and stormwater. You will shape client relationships, win work, and build a practice with autonomy to guide projects end-to-end.

The role requires 10+ years in civil infrastructure design, strong technical leadership, and the ability to balance design excellence with practical site outcomes. Flexible work options offered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years post‑graduate experience in civil and site infrastructure design.
• Proficiency in civil design software including DRAINS, 12D and AutoCAD.
• Client relationship and interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive client relationships at a senior level.
• Ideally a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) designation or equivalent international accreditation.
• Commercial acumen and judgement with the ability to deliver results within tight timeframes and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver civil infrastructure projects across defence, transport, energy and land development, taking responsibility for technical quality, design management, budget and programme.
• Complete and lead primary design elements across stormwater and drainage, bulk earthworks, roads and pavements, water and wastewater infrastructure, and utilities coordination.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships across a range of sectors — from defence and government through to transport agencies, energy developers and land developers — acting as a trusted advisor from early engagement through delivery.
• Support project delivery excellence across technical verification, design governance, risk management, working within project commercial requirements.
• Coordinate across disciplines and stakeholders to resolve interfaces, manage project risks and apply a strong quality focus to documentation, checking and design verification.
• Lead and support business development activities including opportunity identification, capture planning, fee estimation and proposal preparation; mentor and develop junior civil engineers within the team.

Skills

Leadership & mentoring

Client relationship mgmt

Strategic planning

Design management

Civil infrastructure design

Education

CPEng or international accreditation

Tools

DRAINS

12D

AutoCAD

Job description

Principal Civil Engineer, Infrastructure Design & Delivery

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We’re one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging – because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

Job Description

Pivotal Principal Civil Engineering role for a civil engineer who wants more than just project work — this is a chance to lead, shape client relationships, win work, and build a practice. Based in Sydney and working across NSW, you will plan, lead and deliver multi-disciplinary civil infrastructure projects spanning defence, transport, rail, energy, land development and stormwater. You will bring deep technical capability to projects that have real-world consequence, backed by one of the strongest civil engineering networks in the country.

If you’ve been delivering strong technical work and wondering what the next step looks like — this is it. You will have genuine autonomy to lead projects end-to‑end, develop client relationships across a portfolio of markets, and actively contribute to winning work. You will also play a meaningful role in developing the people around you, with real scope to shape the direction of AECOM’s civil engineering practice in NSW.

Key role responsibilities include:

• Lead and deliver civil infrastructure projects across defence, transport, energy and land development, taking responsibility for technical quality, design management, budget and programme.
• Complete and lead primary design elements across stormwater and drainage, bulk earthworks, roads and pavements, water and wastewater infrastructure, and utilities coordination.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships across a range of sectors — from defence and government through to transport agencies, energy developers and land developers — acting as a trusted advisor from early engagement through delivery.
• Support project delivery excellence across technical verification, design governance, risk management, working within project commercial requirements.
• Coordinate across disciplines and stakeholders to resolve interfaces, manage project risks and apply a strong quality focus to documentation, checking and design verification.
• Lead and support business development activities including opportunity identification, capture planning, fee estimation and proposal preparation; mentor and develop junior civil engineers within the team.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced Principal Civil Engineer with a track record designing and delivering a range of civil engineering and infrastructure related projects across industries.

You know how to get things built. You can navigate the gap between a rigorous design and a practical site outcome, and you understand that great engineering is as much about relationships and communication as it is about technical execution. You are looking for a role that rewards that breadth.

You will be known for your ability to lead teams across stakeholders while working collaboratively, encouraging problem solving, with a delivery focus.

• 10+ years of post‑graduate experience in civil and site infrastructure design, with demonstrated capability in technical execution and Design Management across multi-disciplinary projects.
• Proficiency in civil design software including DRAINS, 12D and AutoCAD; working knowledge of Austroads and the ability to interpret and apply local authority and client‑specific standards.
• Client relationship and interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive client relationships at a senior level.
• Sound knowledge of relevant Australian civil engineering and infrastructure standards; experience working on Defence projects is highly regarded but not essential.
• Ideally a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) designation or equivalent international accreditation, supported by a relevant engineering or similar tertiary qualification.
• Commercial acumen and judgement with the ability to deliver results ensuring scope and quality outcomes, with tight timeframes and client budgets.

Some projects in our portfolio require an Australian security clearance. We will support the right candidate through that process, and an existing clearance or demonstrated eligibility will be an advantage.

Additional InformationWhy you’ll love working with us

• Flexible work arrangements available, aligned with the market and client facing role requirements
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year
• Volunteer and representation leave
• Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

We welcome and invite applications from individuals of all backgrounds. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the landon which we, our clients and our communities live and work around Australia. We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders – past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses. Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here: