Year 12 Graduate - Start Your Career in Structural Engineering or Drafting

STP Consultants; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentoring

Flexible study/work

Career development

Diverse projects

Employee Assistance Program

Referral and recognition

Job summary

STP Consultants in Townsville invites school leavers to join their Early Careers Program as a Junior Draftsperson or Cadet Engineer. You’ll earn while you learn, combining practical on-the-job experience with part-time study in engineering.

No previous drafting experience required—attitude and willingness to learn matter most. You'll work with experienced engineers and drafters on real projects, with mentoring and flexible study arrangements to balance work and coursework.

Qualifications

• No prior engineering or drafting experience required; attitude and willingness to learn are valued.
• You should be curious, keen to learn and able to follow guidance from experienced staff.
• Strong communication and reliability are important for teamwork and training.
• Interest in structural drafting, design or engineering is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparing structural drawings, plans and project documentation.
• Collaborate with engineers and drafters to produce clear, accurate drawings.
• Learn industry standards, guidelines and drafting processes.
• Participate in project discussions to understand requirements.
• Carry out drawing checks with guidance and build responsibility as skills develop.

Skills

Attitude to learn

Good communicator

Team player

Detail-oriented

Education

Year 12 or equivalent

TAFE/Associate Degree pathway

Bachelor of Engineering pathway

Job description

Role Type: On-site | Permanent | Full-time | Entry Level

Learn, Grow and Work on Real Projects

Finishing Year 12 in 2026 and thinking about what comes next? If you have an interest in engineering, design or construction and are looking for a hands‑on way to start your career, this could be the opportunity for you.

STP Consultants is seeking an enthusiastic school leaver to join our Townsville team as either a Junior Structural Draftsperson or Cadet Structural Engineer.

Through our Early Careers Program, you'll have the opportunity to earn while you learn, combining practical, on-the-job experience with part‑time study. Rather than heading straight into full‑time university, you'll gain valuable industry experience from day one while working towards a recognised qualification.

You'll work alongside experienced structural engineers and drafters, learning how real projects come together, developing your technical skills and building a strong foundation for your future career.

No previous engineering or drafting experience is required. We're more interested in your attitude, curiosity and willingness to learn. If you're motivated, enjoy problem‑solving and are keen to develop new skills, we'll provide the training, guidance and support to help you succeed.

There are two possible pathways through our Early Careers Program:

• Junior Draftsperson:Full-time work plus part‑time study in an Associate Degree of Engineering or TAFE drafting/design course.
• Cadet Engineer:Full-time work plus part‑time study in a Bachelor of Engineering

Program Structure

• Duration: Approximately 3–4 years for the drafting pathway and up to 8 years for the engineering pathway, depending on the qualification and study load.
• Work schedule: Five days per week, with a combination of practical work and dedicated study time.
• Study: Enrolled or eligible to enrol in a recognised tertiary qualification. You don't need to be enrolled before applying.
• Semester breaks: Continue working full‑time in the office to build experience and stay connected with the team.

What You Will Be Doing

Depending on your chosen pathway, you will:

• Assist with preparing structural drawings, plans and project documentation.
• Work with engineers and experienced drafters to produce clear, accurate and high‑quality drawings.
• Learn industry standards, guidelines and best‑practice drafting processes.
• Develop your understanding of how structural engineering projects are designed and delivered.
• Participate in project discussions and meetings to build your understanding of project requirements.
• Carry out basic drawing and documentation checks with guidance from experienced team members.
• Take on more responsibility as your skills and confidence develop.

About You

You’ll ideally be someone who:

• A Year 12 student, recent school leaver, or currently studying Residential Drafting, or an equivalent qualification at TAFE.
• Genuinely interested in structural drafting, design and engineering.
• Curious and keen to learn new skills.
• Detail‑oriented and take pride in producing accurate work.
• A good communicator who is comfortable asking questions and taking feedback.
• Reliable, organised and willing to have a go at new challenges.
• Someone who enjoys working with others and being part of a team.

What's in it for you?

• Earn a salary while completing your studies.
• Receive mentoring and support from experienced engineers and drafters.
• Flexible working arrangements to help balance work and study.
• Ongoing career progression and professional development.
• Exposure to a diverse range of projects.
• Be part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee referral and recognition programs.
• Join an Australian‑owned consultancy with a strong Queensland presence and long‑term career opportunities.

About STP Consultants

For more than 20 years, STP Consultants has been helping shape communities across Queensland.

We’re a privately owned, multidisciplinary engineering consultancy, bringing together expertise across Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulic, Fire and Seismic engineering. Our teams work on a diverse range of projects across Queensland, giving you the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and see the many different paths an engineering career can take.

Our values of Potential, Respect, Integrity, Deliver and Engage shape the way we work with our clients and with each other. We’re proud of our approachable leaders, supportive team environment and commitment to developing people and delivering quality engineering outcomes.

Ready to Start Your Career?

If you’re looking for more than just a first job and want to build a career in engineering, we’d love to hear from you.