Principal Civil Engineer

Company Description

Come grow with us.

AECOM is involved in the most interesting and challenging transport infrastructure projects that are shaping the landscape around us and defining the future of Australia and NZ. We live and breathe culture, making sure our lives are integrated with our professional development and we actively enjoy the journey.

Our teams work collaboratively across the world and our transportation experts leverage local knowledge and global capability to help clients navigate challenges and build a better world. Our expertise in planning, designing, and managing transportation systems allows us to help public and private clients move people and goods in smarter, more advanced, and sustainable ways.

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, # Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

Principal Road and 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 within an established team. Based in AECOM’s Adelaide office and working throughout South Australia and Australia, you will plan, lead and deliver multi-disciplinary civil infrastructure projects, primarily road and rail transport projects and also spanning defence, energy, land development and water. You will bring deep technical capability to projects that have real-world consequence, backed by one of the strongest civil engineering networks in the country.

If you’ve been delivering strong technical work and wondering what the next step looks like — 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 be part of the local team shaping the direction of AECOM’s civil engineering practice with key local clients in South Australia.

How you’ll make a difference

• Lead and deliver civil engineering projects from planning through to detailed design and delivery. Take responsibility for technical quality, design management, budget and program.
• Manage client relationships and represent AECOM across local and national projects.
• Support project delivery excellence across technical verification, design governance, risk management, working within project commercial requirements.
• Coordinate across disciplines and stakeholders to resolve interfaces, manage project risks and apply a strong quality focus to documentation, checking and design verification.
• Lead and support business development activities including opportunity identification, capture planning, fee estimation and proposal preparation; mentor and develop junior civil engineers within the team.

Qualifications

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.

The qualities that help you thrive

To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced Principal Highways/Civil Engineer with a track record designing and delivering a range of civil engineering and infrastructure related projects across industries. You will also have an affinity for Adelaide and South Australia, looking to make a contribution to infrastructure delivery for the benefit of the region.

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

You will be known for your ability to lead teams across stakeholders while working collaboratively, encouraging problem solving, with a delivery focus.

• Ideally a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) designation or equivalent international accreditation, supported by a relevant engineering or similar tertiary qualification.
• At least 10-15 years of experience delivering multi-disciplinary projects for a variety of Clients, such as the South Australian Government and the Department of Defence
• Strong engineering judgement with experience leading design and development.
• Client relationship and interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive client relationships at a senior level.
• Proficiency in civil design software including DRAINS, 12D and AutoCAD is an advantage; as is a working knowledge of Austroads and the ability to interpret and apply local authority and client-specific standards.

Additional Information

Why you’ll love working with us

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, part-time, 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.

Learn more about life at AECOM: LinkedIn, Facebook , Instagram, X, YouTube - explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Please note that AECOM does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, AECOM will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, AECOM explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of AECOM.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Accessibility/Reasonable Accommodations

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

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.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.