Cadet Engineer Planning and Development

City of Newcastle; Newcastle; On-site; ZAR 416 000 - 833 000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in KwaZulu-Natal, Newcastle is seeking an Undergraduate Engineer to assist in impactful projects aligned with the Community Strategic Plan. This graduate position involves rotating through Traffic & Transport and Engineering Assessment Sections. Candidates must be penultimate or final year Civil Engineering students, eager to gain hands-on experience in transport planning and traffic assessments. The role offers a competitive salary, annual leave, and various employee benefits, alongside a supportive work environment.

Benefits

4 weeks of annual leave

3 weeks of personal leave

Paid parental leave

Corporate fitness programme

Access to employee benefits programmes

Annual performance development plans

Health & wellbeing programmes

Qualifications

• Penultimate or final year student in Civil Engineering.
• No prior experience required but must be enthusiastic and willing to learn.
• Effective communication skills for preparing technical advice.

Responsibilities

• Assess transport and traffic applications.
• Prepare advice on local transport planning issues.
• Assess development engineering applications.
• Prepare technical development engineering advice.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Transport planning

Traffic assessment

Education

Currently studying in a Civil Engineering degree

Job description

City of Newcastle has an opportunity for an Undergraduate Engineer to join our Planning and Development team.

This position will see you make impact in assisting with core projects of our 2040 Community Strategic Plan with the aim to continue to build an attractive city that is built around people and reflects our sense of identity all whilst being supported in achieving your professional goals.

Opportunities

This is a graduate position which will rotate between both the Traffic & Transport Section and the Engineering Assessment Section which are both within our Planning & Environment Directorate.

Responsibilities

• Assess and determine transport and traffic applications.
• Gain experience in preparing advice on local and strategic transport traffic planning issues including pedestrian bicycle parking event management and road freight matters.
• Assess and determine development engineering applications and carry out activities and applications for certificates.
• Prepare professional and technical development engineering advice to community external and internal customers and management.

Qualifications

• Currently studying in a Civil Engineering degree, penultimate or final year.
• 3‑4 year fixed‑term contract, 35 hours per week.

Benefits

• 4 weeks of annual leave, 3 weeks of personal leave plus 2 additional paid public holidays.
• 17.5% annual leave loading yearly payment.
• Paid parental leave for primary carers.
• Industry leading employment conditions.
• Corporate fitness programme from as little as $12.90 per fortnight.
• Access to exclusive employee benefits programmes including Novated Lease options and reward and recognition vouchers.
• Annual performance development plans and ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Leading the CN Way leadership programme.
• Inclusion Diversity & Equity employee networks and initiatives.
• Health & wellbeing programmes including onsite physiotherapist, yoga and mental health ambassador groups.

Life at CN

At CN we value our employees and their wellbeing takes priority. We encourage employees to make time for what’s important and provide the benefits to enable a work‑life balance. We champion inclusion so everyone is valued and we encourage innovation and creativity. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace where different styles, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are valued, encouraged and respected.

People with diverse lived experiences (including but not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, people with diverse gender identities and sexualities, people from different cultural, racial, ethnic, religious and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability, carers and veterans) are encouraged to apply.

Application Closing Date

Tuesday 11 November 2025

Remuneration

$37856.48 - $75712.71 12% Superannuation per annum for a 35‑hour week.

Contact

Melissa Moore – Career Ready Advisor

If you need any adjustments to be made to the recruitment process or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements please contact for a confidential discussion.

You must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this job.

CN does not accept unsolicited resumes and we respectfully ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us at this stage.