Principal Civil Designer – Darwin

Lead design. Own standards. Set the benchmark.

Most design roles top out.

You become the person who delivers the work…

but not the one who shapes how it’s done.

This role changes that.

The Role

You’ll take the lead on civil design delivery across major and minor infrastructure projects, while also setting the standard for how design is executed within the team.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role, not management removed from design.

You will:

• Lead detailed design, documentation and modelling across:
• Major and minor roadworks
• Subdivisions and land development
• Stormwater and drainage systems
• Earthworks and general civil infrastructure
• Oversee 12D Model and AutoCAD design outputs
• Manage and coordinate a small design team
• Provide technical direction and quality control across projects
• Mentor and develop designers and drafters
• Work with a high level of autonomy, owning outcomes end-to-end

The Company

A well-established, multi-disciplinary consultancy delivering civil engineering and project management services across:

• Urban and regional land development
• Infrastructure and subdivision projects
• Public and private sector clients

The environment is delivery-focused, practical, and low on bureaucracy — built for people who want to get work done properly.

What You Bring

This role is suited to a career designer, not someone transitioning away from design.

You’ll likely have:

• Advanced Diploma in Civil Engineering (or equivalent)
• 20+ years of consultancy design experience
• Deep expertise in:
• Road design (major & minor works)
• Land development and subdivisions
• Stormwater and drainage
• Earthworks
• Strong capability in:
• 12D Model
• AutoCAD
• Solid understanding of Austroads and relevant standards
• Proven ability to:
• Lead design delivery
• Manage projects and small teams
• Mentor and develop junior designers
• Ability to work independently with limited direction

What You Actually Get (Beyond Salary)

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

• Flexible Friday policy
• Annual return airfares
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parental leave
• A genuine focus on work-life balance
• Relocation expenses covered

Career Positioning

At this level, it’s not about “progression” —

it’s about impact and influence.

You’ll have:

• Ownership over design standards and delivery quality
• The ability to shape how projects are executed
• A pipeline of varied projects across sectors
• A role that values technical depth, not just management
• Exposure to evolving technology and design practices

Why Darwin?

Because senior designers don’t just move for money.

They move for:

• Autonomy
• Respect for technical expertise
• The ability to actually influence outcomes

Darwin offers that  without the layers that slow everything down elsewhere.

If you’re a senior designer who still enjoys the technical side  but wants more control over how work is delivered  this is worth a conversation.

If you’re comfortable where you are…

you’re probably not reading this far anyway.