Senior Project Engineer

Symal Group; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Symal Group is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to drive a major civil infrastructure and renewables project near Tamworth. You’ll own programs, coordinate construction, safety, quality and commercial outcomes, and lead engineers, site teams and subcontractors on site.

With 5+ years in civil construction and experience in earthworks, pavements and renewables, you’ll shape delivery, risk, claims and turnover, working with Project Manager, Construction Manager and client reps on a DIDO/FIFO

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or equivalent.
• Approximately 5+ years' relevant civil construction experience.
• Experience delivering complex civil projects, including renewables, BESS or substations is advantageous.
• Strong programming and project controls capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate construction packages, manage project engineers and site engineers, subcontractors and procurement.
• Develop and maintain project programs and track progress against milestones.
• Identify risks, manage variations and commercial notices, and assure safety and quality.
• Lead the engineering and delivery team, aligning site, procurement and client requirements.

Skills

Project leadership

Program scheduling

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Subcontractor management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Jobpac

Expert Estimation

Job description

Senior Project Engineer | Civil Infrastructure & Renewables

Tamworth, NSW | DIDO / FIFO | Major Project Delivery

Build major infrastructure. Lead from the front. Push what’s possible.

Symal Infrastructure is looking for an experienced Senior Project Engineer to join our project delivery team on a major project in the Tamworth region.

This is an opportunity for an accomplished civil engineer who wants more than simply managing packages. You’ll take genuine ownership across program, commercial performance, construction delivery, safety, quality and engineering leadership, working closely with our Project Manager, Construction Manager and site teams to drive exceptional project outcomes.

We’re particularly interested in engineers who have delivered complex civil scopes within renewables, BESS, substations or major infrastructure projects and know what great project delivery looks like on the ground.

The opportunity

As Senior Project Engineer, you’ll play a critical role in driving the project from both an engineering and commercial perspective.

You’ll lead and coordinate key construction packages while managing project engineers and site engineers, subcontractors, procurement, programming and client requirements.

This is a DIDO/FIFO position based on a project in Tamworth, NSW, suited to someone comfortable working in a project-based environment and taking real accountability for delivery.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Project & Program Delivery

• Manage construction programs, resources and project priorities to keep delivery ahead of contractual milestones.
• Develop and maintain project programs using Microsoft Project.
• Identify critical activities, track productivity and proactively manage potential delays.
• Coordinate subcontractor programs, procurement schedules and construction interfaces.
• Identify and administer contractual notices and extensions of time.
• Drive delivery against project milestones, budgets and client expectations.

Commercial Management

Commercial capability is an important part of this role.

You’ll:

• Identify and manage commercial risks and opportunities.
• Manage variations, claims, contract notices and secured revenue.
• Drive procurement in line with project requirements and commercial objectives.
• Prepare detailed monthly cost-to-complete forecasts.
• Manage progress claims, contract valuations and project cash flow.
• Track productivity and project performance to protect and improve project margin.
• Work closely with the Project Manager to identify opportunities for stronger commercial outcomes.
• Experience with Expert Estimation and Jobpac will be highly regarded.

Civil Construction Delivery

We’re looking for strong, practical construction experience across:

• Bulk earthworks
• Pavements
• FRP
• Utilities
• Piling
• Public road upgrades
• Previous exposure to renewable energy, BESS or substation projects will be highly regarded.

You’ll understand how these scopes interact and be confident solving construction issues, coordinating subcontractors and keeping engineering, commercial and site teams aligned.

Safety, Environment & Quality

Safety and quality leadership are fundamental to this position.

You’ll:

• Lead by example across pre-starts, toolboxes and site activities.
• Identify and manage high-risk construction activities.
• Support the development and implementation of SWMS and work methodologies.
• Conduct regular safety walks and audits.
• Monitor subcontractor safety performance.
• Lead and support incident investigations where required.
• Manage ITPs, NCRs and quality assurance requirements.
• Drive practical solutions that minimise defects and costly rework.

Lead the engineering team

This is a Senior Project Engineer role, so we’re looking for someone capable of developing the people around them as well as delivering the project.

You’ll provide leadership, mentoring and direction to Project Engineers and Site Engineers, setting clear expectations and helping develop their technical, commercial and construction capability.

You’ll also work closely with Foremen, Leading Hands, Safety, Finance, Procurement, Assets and Logistics to ensure everyone is working towards the same project outcome.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or equivalent
• Approximately 5+ years' relevant civil construction experience
• Strong experience delivering complex civil construction projects
• Demonstrated experience across earthworks and pavements
• Experience with FRP, utilities and piling
• Exposure to public road upgrade works
• Strong programming and project controls capability
• Commercial understanding across procurement, forecasting, variations and claims
• Experience managing subcontractors and multidisciplinary site teams
• Ability to mentor and lead Project Engineers and Site Engineers
• Strong client and stakeholder management capability
• A practical, solutions-focused approach to construction challenges
• Experience delivering renewables, BESS and/or substation projects would be a significant advantage.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Project, Expert Estimation and Jobpac will also be highly regarded.

Why Symal?

At Symal, we don't believe great projects are delivered by individuals. They're delivered by teams who back each other, challenge what's possible and take pride in what they build.

We Build Better Together

We roll up our sleeves, look out for each other and bring different ideas, experiences and perspectives to the table.

We Innovate with Intent

We're problem solvers. We ask better questions, challenge conventional thinking and back good ideas when there's a smarter way forward.

We Push What's Possible

We set high standards and aren't afraid to stretch ourselves to achieve better outcomes. When we say we'll deliver, we make it happen.

Ready for your next major project?

If your background includes earthworks, pavements, FRP, utilities, piling and road infrastructure, particularly within renewables, BESS, substations or major civil infrastructure, this could be an excellent next move.