Mott MacDonald is seeking a Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer to join the Water team in Adelaide, South Australia. In this full-time role, you will lead complex water and wastewater design and construct projects, drive best value technical solutions, and mentor junior team members.
Requirements
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
CPEng and RPEQ certification.
Proven experience delivering and leading water and wastewater projects, preferably with D&C project experience.
Extensive knowledge of local and national standards, including WSAA.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Skills & Responsibilities
Mechanical engineering leadership: Oversee the development, quality assurance, and finalisation of engineering drawings and design reports for water infrastructure.
Project management: Manage design budgets, schedules, change processes, and lead weekly design meetings and risk workshops like HAZOP.
Technical collaboration: Work with multidisciplinary teams and delivery partners to select best value technical solutions and prepare specifications.
Team development: Mentor and develop junior engineers to foster a high-performing technical environment.
Potential transition routes: People from Senior Mechanical Engineer or Project Engineering roles in the water sector may bring relevant design and stakeholder management skills, alongside meeting mandatory CPEng and RPEQ requirements.
Job description
Brilliant people trusted to do brilliant things
Mott MacDonald is a vibrant and forward-thinking engineering, management, and development consultancy. Working together as a global team we plan, design, deliver and maintain the transport, energy, water, buildings, and wider infrastructure that is integral to people’s daily lives. We value excellence in every dimension of our business and continuously seek opportunities to improve what we do and how we do it.
We employ brilliant people who combine their diverse skills and experiences to achieve brilliant things. Whether you want to specialise or broaden your experience, you'll be supported by global specialists eager to share their expertise. With numerous opportunities to learn and grow, the possibilities are as diverse as our people. Working as a connected global team, we deliver impactful projects that shape the future.
Your Opportunity
Mott MacDonald's Water Environment & Society market has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join the Water team based in Adelaide, South Australia, and contribute to the delivery of key SA Water projects. These projects support the planning, design, and delivery of water, wastewater, network, and treatment infrastructure across South Australia.
This work will help address key challenges across South Australia, including climate resilience, population growth, ageing infrastructure, and the ongoing need for safe, reliable, and sustainable water services.
You will play a central part in delivering high quality engineering outcomes across complex water and wastewater design and construct (D&C) projects. You will lead and coordinate interesting and complex projects, while contributing to strategic decision making and shaping best value solutions.
You will be responsible for:
Leading project progress through weekly design meetings, formal reviews, and key milestone workshops (e.g., SID, HAZOP).
Overseeing the development, quality assurance, and finalisation of engineering drawings, design reports, and client specific deliverables.
Managing the production of specialist reports, including Site Access, Tenure, and Environmental & Planning (STEP) documentation.
Collaborating with our delivery partners, suppliers and subcontractors—preparing specifications, coordinating inputs, and reviewing technical submissions.
Working with a multidisciplinary and multipartner team to define, assess, and select the best value technical solutions aligned with client outcomes.
Identifying risks and opportunities, driving mitigation strategies, and maximising project value.
Managing design budgets, schedules, and change processes, including earned value tracking.
Mentoring and developing junior engineers, fostering a supportive and high performing technical environment.
Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external clients.
Providing technical input into bid pursuits and contributing to business growth opportunities.
About You
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical
CPEng and RPEQ
Demonstrate a broad understanding of wastewater treatment processes, wastewater networks, and water networks, and their associated infrastructure.
Proven experience as an engineer delivering and leading water and wastewater projects, preferably with some experience within design and construct projects.
Extensive knowledge of local and national standards and drawings, including Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA)
Proficiency in general Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project). Experience in other engineering software preferred, but not essential.
Ability to maintain strong relationships with internal and external clients.
Be a highly motivated individual with excellent communication and written skills.
Culture & Benefits
Mott MacDonald celebrates diversity and inclusion, offering a supportive work environment that values work-life balance, diversity, inclusion, and equity. We welcome diverse applicants, including First Nations People, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people of all genders, neurodiversity, cultural backgrounds, age groups, and those with intersectional identities.
Our benefits package is designed to enhance your experience:
A flexible and agile work atmosphere that caters to your professional journey and life's special moments
A competitive salary complemented by Discretionary Group and Personal Performance Bonuses for eligible employees
Comprehensive coverage including life, personal accident, and salary continuance insurance, providing peace of mind during uncertain times
Opportunities to enhance your work-life balance through the option to purchase extra annual leave
Employee ownership
Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
You’ve got this!
We endorse a diverse and inclusive workplace, and look to provide suitable opportunities for employees including the opportunity for part time and job shared roles where possible. If you are interested in this role and looking for a part time permanent opportunity, please apply! #LI-VB1
