Principal Engineer, Water & Wastewater (Network Modelling and Infrastructure Planning)

Network Planning | Technical Leadership | Client Advocacy | $190k-$220k + super

Brisbane, Queensland

At Principal level, another title means very little if you are still only reviewing someone else's work. This role gives you ownership across the full equation: complex technical delivery, strategic client relationships, team growth and the commercial performance behind a sustainable water practice. You will lead work involving trunk water and wastewater infrastructure for residential and commercial development, as well as municipal projects for councils and water utilities.

We're partnering with our client, a national multidisciplinary engineering and design consultancy growing its water and wastewater capability in Brisbane. They are seeking a Principal who can independently lead network planning and modelling while acting as a trusted project and client leader.

This is not a purely technical position. You must be credible in front of clients, capable of winning and delivering work, and committed to developing the people around you.

The Opportunity

You will lead internal and project delivery teams to meet client commitments, build client advocacy and strengthen the capability of the Water & Wastewater team.

The role will see you involved across:

• Leading complex trunk water and wastewater infrastructure planning and delivery

• Acting as Senior Project Manager or Project Director on strategic assignments

• Serving as a key client contact and maintaining high levels of service and confidence

• Developing infrastructure options and guiding clients through technical and investment decisions

• Planning workloads, resources and delivery requirements with Directors and other disciplines

• Managing project and commercial risk while maintaining delivery quality

• Improving team practices, systems and overall business-unit performance

You'll be trusted to move between detailed technical work, project leadership and high-level client conversations without losing control of quality or delivery.

Technical Leadership

Advanced network planning and modelling capability is essential to this appointment.

You will be expected to:

• Independently prepare, review and verify water and wastewater network models

• Diagnose and resolve modelling issues across the required modelling platforms

• Undertake infrastructure planning and independently develop and review servicing options

• Complete transient modelling for water and sewer infrastructure

• Interpret modelling outputs and identify risks, constraints and optimisation opportunities

• Prepare high-quality technical reports with minimal review or correction

• Explain complex planning implications clearly to clients and other stakeholders

What We're Looking For

We're interested in speaking with senior water professionals who combine deep technical credibility with people leadership, commercial judgement and market awareness.

Essential capabilities include:

• Proven delivery of complex water and wastewater planning or network infrastructure projects

• Advanced network and transient modelling capability

• Strong project leadership across multiple stages of delivery

• High-level consulting, client-management and stakeholder-communication skills

• Demonstrated people leadership, coaching, mentoring and team-development capability

• Business planning, budgeting, commercial acumen and risk-management experience

• The ability to win work from new and existing clients and contribute to proposal conversion

• Established industry relationships and a visible level of market engagement

Practice and Business Growth

The distinction between this role and a Senior Engineer position is the ownership you will take beyond technical delivery.

You will contribute to:

• Strategic client relationships and the conversion of clients into long-term advocates

• New project opportunities, proposals and repeat business

• Recruitment, succession planning, performance management and staff retention

• Marketing, networking and thought leadership that strengthen the team's market position

• Revenue and profit growth supported by disciplined project delivery and commercial judgement

Why This Role Stands Out

This is an opportunity to shape a growing water and wastewater team while remaining close to technically complex work.

You can expect:

• Ownership of complex network planning and modelling assignments

• Direct influence over team capability, client strategy and market growth

• A high-profile role working alongside senior leaders across a national consultancy

• The opportunity to develop people and build a stronger succession pipeline

• An indicative base salary of $190k-$220k plus super, aligned to experience and capability

If you are ready to be accountable for the technical work, the client relationship and the team that delivers it, this is worth a confidential conversation.

To apply or request further information, contact James Foden at Telos Co for a confidential conversation.