Principal Civil Engineer - Sydney, NSW, Australia

Pivotal Principal Civil Engineering role for a civil engineer who wants more than just project work. This is a chance to lead, shape client relationships, win work and build a practice. Based in Sydney and working across NSW, you will plan, lead and deliver multidisciplinary civil infrastructure projects across a diverse range of markets.

You will bring strong all-round civil engineering capability to complex projects with real-world consequences, backed by one of the strongest civil engineering networks in the country. While the role will support our growing Aviation & Pavements business, including landside airport infrastructure opportunities, it will also provide the opportunity to work across AECOM’s broader civil infrastructure portfolio.

If you have been delivering strong technical work and are ready for the next step, this is it. You will have genuine autonomy to lead projects end-to-end, develop client relationships across a portfolio of markets, and actively contribute to winning work. You will also play a meaningful role in developing the people around you, with real scope to help shape the direction and continued growth of AECOM’s civil engineering practice in NSW.

How you’ll make a difference:

• Lead and deliver multidisciplinary civil infrastructure projects across aviation, transport and defence, taking responsibility for technical quality, design management, budget, programme and project risk.
• Complete and lead primary civil design elements across roads and pavements, bulk earthworks and grading, stormwater and drainage, water and wastewater infrastructure, utility coordination, construction staging and associated civil works.
• Support the delivery of landside airport infrastructure projects, including airport access roads, pavements, drainage, utilities, precinct infrastructure and operational-interface coordination.
• Lead and review civil design outputs using Civil 3D and associated design tools, ensuring designs, models and documentation are coordinated, practical, buildable and of a high technical standard.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships across a range of sectors — from aviation, defence and government through to transport agencies, energy developers and land developers — acting as a trusted advisor from early engagement through delivery.
• Support project delivery excellence through technical verification, design governance, risk management and compliance with project commercial requirements.
• Coordinate across disciplines and stakeholders to resolve interfaces, manage risks and apply a strong quality focus to documentation, checking and design verification.
• Lead and support business-development activities, including opportunity identification, client engagement, capture planning, fee estimation, proposal preparation and presentations.
• Mentor and develop junior civil engineers within the team, supporting a positive, collaborative and high-performing team environment.

To be successful in this role we're looking for an experienced Principal Civil Engineer with a track record of designing and delivering a range of civil engineering and infrastructure-related projects across industries.

You know how to get things built. You can navigate the gap between a rigorous design and a practical site outcome and understand that great engineering is as much about relationships, communication, and sound judgement as it is about technical execution. You are looking for a role that rewards that breadth.

The qualities that help you thrive

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don’t tick all the boxes you could still be a perfect fit for this role. Please apply, all applications will be considered.

You will be known for your ability to lead teams across complex stakeholder environments while working collaboratively, encouraging problem solving and maintaining a strong delivery focus.

• 10+ years of post-graduate experience in civil and site infrastructure design, with demonstrated capability in technical execution and design management across multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong all-round civil design experience, including several of the following: roads and pavements, bulk earthworks and grading, stormwater, utilities coordination and construction staging.
• Proficiency in civil design software including Civil 3D, DRAINS and AutoCAD, with experience producing, reviewing and coordinating civil models, drawings and design documentation.
• Working knowledge of Austroads and the ability to interpret and apply relevant Australian Standards, local-authority requirements and client-specific standards.
• Client relationship and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain positive client relationships at a senior level.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects or major design packages, including scope, programme, resources, risk, budget, design quality and commercial requirements.
• Sound knowledge of relevant Australian civil engineering and infrastructure standards; aviation, airport landside or precinct-infrastructure experience would be highly regarded but is not essential.
• Ideally a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) or equivalent international accreditation, supported by a relevant engineering or similar tertiary qualification.
• Commercial acumen and judgement, with the ability to deliver results while ensuring scope, quality, programme and client-budget requirements are managed effectively.

Some projects in our portfolio require an Australian security clearance. We will support the right candidate through that process, and an existing clearance or demonstrated eligibility will be an advantage.

Why you’ll love working with us

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, job-sharing and hybrid work options
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year
• Volunteer and representation leave
• Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

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AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we, our clients and our communities live and work around Australia. We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses. Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.