Senior Principal Hydrogeologist

ADE Consulting Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ADE Consulting Group is seeking an experienced Senior to Principal Hydrogeologist to lead our hydrogeology capability in Australia. The role involves technical leadership, national project support, mentoring staff, and contributing to business growth.

You will guide groundwater investigations, modelling, regulatory engagement, and client relationships while maintaining high-quality project delivery and collaboration with other disciplines.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hydrogeological consulting experience.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary projects and mentoring staff.
• Strong understanding of Australian groundwater regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Act as ADE's Technical Lead for Hydrogeology across projects nationwide.
• Lead and deliver hydrogeological investigations from planning to completion.
• Mentor hydrogeologists and environmental consultants.
• Support recruitment and capability development in Hydrogeology.
• Develop technical standards and contribute to business growth.

Skills

Technical leadership

Groundwater investigations

Regulatory knowledge

Mentoring

Client engagement

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Project management

Communication

Driver licence

Strategic growth

Education

Tertiary Hydrogeology-related degree

Job description

About ADE Consulting Group

ADE Consulting Group is a multidisciplinary environmental and engineering consultancy delivering practical, technically robust solutions to our clients across various disciplines including contaminated land, hydrogeology, groundwater remediation, environmental planning, geotechnical engineering and environmental management.

About ADE Consulting Group

ADE Consulting Group is a multidisciplinary environmental and engineering consultancy delivering practical, technically robust solutions to our clients across various disciplines including contaminated land, hydrogeology, groundwater remediation, environmental planning, geotechnical engineering and environmental management.

Our Hydrogeology team supports a diverse portfolio of projects for clients across the property, infrastructure, transport, industrial and government sectors. We combine strong technical capability with practical project delivery, working collaboratively across disciplines to provide innovative groundwater solutions for complex environmental and engineering challenges.

As our national hydrogeology capability continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced Senior to Principal Hydrogeologist to join our Sydney office. This is a leadership role responsible for driving technical excellence, supporting multidisciplinary teams nationally and contributing to the continued growth of ADE's hydrogeology services.

About The Role

In due course, this position will likely transition to become National Technical Lead for Hydrogeology within ADE Consulting Group.

Reporting to the State and National Environmental Manager, you will provide specialist groundwater expertise across a broad range of projects while supporting project teams nationally. You will lead technically challenging investigations, mentor hydrogeologists and environmental consultants, provide peer review of technical deliverables and contribute to the strategic growth of the Hydrogeology team.

You will act as ADE's primary technical authority for hydrogeology, providing expert guidance on groundwater investigations, conceptual site model development, groundwater impact assessment, groundwater management, dewatering, remediation and regulatory engagement.

While the role is predominantly focused on technical leadership, you will also contribute to project delivery, client relationships and business development, ensuring ADE continues to deliver high-quality, practical groundwater solutions to our clients.

The appointment level (Senior to Principal) will be based on the successful applicant's experience and demonstrated capability.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Act as ADE's Technical Lead for Hydrogeology, providing specialist advice across projects nationally.
• Support project teams across all ADE offices with hydrogeological expertise.
• Lead technically complex groundwater investigations and assessments.
• Provide technical leadership in conceptual hydrogeological modelling, groundwater impact assessments, dewatering studies, groundwater remediation and regulatory engagement.
• Review and provide technical oversight of reports, proposals and deliverables.
• Develop and maintain technical standards, guidance documents and best-practice methodologies.
• Promote technical excellence, innovation and knowledge sharing throughout the business.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor for complex groundwater and environmental projects.

Project Delivery

• Lead and deliver hydrogeological investigations from planning through to completion.
• Manage groundwater projects, including technical delivery, budgets and schedules.
• Prepare proposals, scopes of work and technical methodologies.
• Coordinate field investigations, subcontractors and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Provide practical and commercially focused advice to clients.

Leadership & Capability Development

• Mentor and develop hydrogeologists and environmental consultants.
• Assist in growing ADE's Hydrogeology capability nationally.
• Support recruitment and technical development of the Hydrogeology team.
• Foster collaboration between Hydrogeology, Contaminated Land, Geotechnical and Environmental teams.
• Support succession planning and capability development within the Hydrogeology team.

Client Relationships & Business Development

• Build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Identify opportunities to expand hydrogeology services.
• Contribute to proposals, tenders and strategic pursuits.
• Develop and grow client relationships to generate repeat work and contribute to achieving business growth objectives for the Hydrogeology service line.
• Represent ADE at client meetings and industry events.
• Support strategic growth initiatives and help position ADE as a recognised provider of hydrogeological services nationally.

Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of hydrogeological consulting experience, with appointment level dependent on demonstrated capability and experience.
• Tertiary qualification in Hydrogeology, Geology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated technical leadership on complex groundwater investigations, groundwater impact assessments, dewatering projects, groundwater management programs and contaminated groundwater assessments.
• Strong understanding of Australian groundwater regulatory frameworks, including NSW EPA requirements, WaterNSW requirements, planning frameworks and relevant industry guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to act as a technical authority and trusted advisor on complex groundwater projects.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary projects and mentoring technical staff.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary consulting teams.
• Established client relationships and experience contributing to business development and work winning.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving, stakeholder engagement and client relationship skills.
• Current Australian Driver Licence.

Desirable

• Certified Professional Hydrogeologist (CPH) or equivalent accreditation.
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) or equivalent professional recognition where applicable.
• Membership of relevant professional organisations such as IAH, AusIMM, GSA or equivalent.

Why Join ADE?

At ADE, you'll join a collaborative team where technical excellence, practical thinking and professional development are genuinely valued. You'll have the opportunity to influence the direction of our Hydrogeology team, work on technically diverse projects across Australia and collaborate with specialists from multiple disciplines.

You will have the opportunity to establish and shape ADE's national hydrogeology capability, influence technical standards across the business and play a key role in strategic growth initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced hydrogeologist looking to take on a genuine technical leadership role while remaining closely involved in complex and rewarding project work.