Senior Project Engineer

O BRIEN CIVIL PTY LTD; Perth; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

O’Brien Civil is seeking an experienced Senior Project Engineer to lead structural concrete construction within civil projects in Western Australia. The role focuses on delivering high‑quality package work, resolving site challenges, and progressively taking responsibility for project performance and commercial outcomes.

You will guide budgets, procurement, and contracts while mentoring junior engineers. This opportunity offers direct exposure to senior management and a clear pathway toward

Qualifications

• Degree qualification in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
• Strong experience delivering structural concrete projects.
• Proven ability to plan concrete construction sequences and manage interfaces with earthworks, piling and civil works.
• Experience in project cost control, budgeting and forecasting.
• Experience managing subcontractors, suppliers and site resources.
• Ability to develop, monitor and manage construction programs.
• Strong understanding of structural drawings, construction tolerances, ITPs, quality requirements and construction specifications.
• Experience in procurement, variations, claims and contract administration.
• Strong communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of structural concrete, FRP and associated civil work packages.
• Provide technical leadership and resolve site challenges.
• Coordinate and manage subcontractors, suppliers, plant and project resources.
• Manage construction methodologies, sequencing, and short-term planning.
• Monitor safety, quality, productivity, and program performance.
• Support project budgets, cost forecasting, procurement, variations, and claims.
• Identify risks and opportunities and develop mitigation strategies.
• Build relationships with clients, consultants, supervisors and subcontractors.
• Mentor and support development of Project Engineers and Site Engineers.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Budgeting & cost control

Contract administration

Scheduling & programming

Subcontractor management

Construction methodology

Quality & safety

Risk management

Client & stakeholder engagement

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Job description

O’Brien Civil is looking for an experienced Senior Project Engineer with a strong background in structural concrete construction who is ready to progress into Project Management.

This is an opportunity to take on greater responsibility, work directly with senior management and develop the commercial and operational skills required to independently manage projects.

We’re looking for someone who is technically strong, commercially aware and capable of leading project teams.

The successful candidate will work across O’Brien Civil’s structural and civil projects, with a primary focus on structural concrete construction and exposure to associated civil works, including earthworks, drainage, utilities, piling, and roadworks.

The Role

We are looking for a technically capable Senior Project Engineer who can lead construction activities, resolve site challenges and take increasing responsibility for overall project performance, including commercial results and team leadership.

• Lead the delivery of structural concrete, FRP and associated civil construction work packages.
• Provide technical leadership, resolve complex construction, and site challenges.
• Coordinate and manage subcontractors, suppliers, plant, and project resources.
• Manage construction methodologies, sequencing, short-term planning, and project programs.
• Monitor and drive safety, quality, productivity, and program performance.
• Take an active role in managing project budgets, cost forecasting, procurement, contractual obligations, variations, and claims, with increasing accountability for project financial performance.
• Identify project risks and opportunities, develop mitigation strategies, and proactively manage performance against budget and program.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, consultants, supervisors, and subcontractors.
• Mentor and support the development of Project Engineers, Site Engineers, and Graduate Engineers.

What We’re Looking For

• Degree qualification in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Typically 7-10+ years’ relevant civil or structural construction experience, with demonstrated capability delivering structural concrete projects.
• Experience operating at Senior Project Engineer level
• Demonstrated hands-on experience delivering complex structural concrete works, including formwork systems, reinforcement, concrete placement and temporary works.
• Ability to plan concrete construction sequences and manage interfaces with earthworks, piling and associated civil works.
• Demonstrated experience in project cost control, budgeting and forecasting.
• Experience managing subcontractors, suppliers and site resources.
• Ability to develop, monitor and manage construction programs.
• Strong understanding of structural drawings, construction tolerances, ITPs, quality requirements and construction specifications.
• Experience in procurement, variations, claims and contract administration.
• Strong communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.

Advantageous Experience

Experience across broader civil construction disciplines will be highly regarded, particularly:

• Bulk and detailed earthworks
• Roadworks and pavement construction
• Drainage and underground utilities
• Piling and foundation construction

O’Brien Civil delivers a diverse range of infrastructure projects, so candidates with experience across both structural concrete and general civil construction will be particularly well suited to the role.

Career Progression - Pathway to Project Manager

We are seeking someone who wants to develop into a Project Manager, not remain in a Senior Project Engineer role indefinitely.

Working alongside senior management, you’ll progressively take greater responsibility for project delivery, financial performance, client management and team leadership.

As you demonstrate capability, you’ll have the opportunity to take ownership of projects from mobilisation through to completion, with the objective of progressing into a Project Manager position.

Progression will be based on demonstrated performance, capability and business requirements. We aim to develop a Project Manager who can independently lead the delivery and commercial performance of projects.

Why O’Brien Civil?

• At O’Brien Civil, you’ll have the opportunity to move beyond traditional engineering responsibilities and play a greater role in how projects are managed and delivered.
• We are an established Western Australian contractor working across government, private infrastructure, resources, energy and utilities.
• Genuine career progression towards a Project Manager position.
• The opportunity to work directly with experienced senior management and directors.
• Exposure to a diverse range of structural concrete and civil construction projects.
• Greater ownership of commercial performance and involvement in key operational and project decisions.
• A hands-on working environment where experienced engineers have direct access to senior management and can make a genuine impact on project outcomes.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a growing business.
• Competitive remuneration based on experience and capability.
• Long-term career development as the business continues to expand.