Senior Infrastructure Planning Engineer | Water and Wastewater Treatment

Shape the future of water infrastructure in one of Australia’s most dynamic and resilient cities!

• Spearhead the concept for a new 100ML water treatment plant and major wastewater upgrades.

• Be the technical lead in a region renowned for water-sensitive innovation and sustainability.

• Permanent Role | $103K–$138K + Super + 9-Day Fortnight + generous relocation assistance.

About Council

Townsville City Council is the largest regional Council in Queensland employing over 1700 staff and has an annual budget of approximately $868M and community assets of nearly $9 billion. They see the world is changing so they are changing too. Their people and their jobs are as diverse as the communities they serve. With Townsville expected to continue to experience strong economic and population growth over the coming decades modelling for this growth and forecasting via an evidence-based planning system has arguably put Council at the forefront of innovation in this area within QLD Local Government.

The Position

Reporting to the Principal Lead Water Strategy you will be a visionary Senior Infrastructure Planning Engineer capable of and motivated to lead transformative projects that will enhance urban livability and environmental sustainability. With a focus on strategic planning, technical excellence, and community impact, this role offers the chance to work on high-profile infrastructure projects including a new water treatment plant and a major wastewater facility upgrade.

This is more than just engineering - it is about making a lasting difference. You will manage your own budget, engage consultants, and guide projects from concept to delivery, all while navigating the unique challenges of Townsville’s dry tropical climate. Your expertise will be central to ensuring compliance, driving innovation, and aligning infrastructure with population growth and environmental frameworks. Whether you come from local government, a water entity, or consultancy, you will be renowned for your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking ability.

About You

This is a role for an experienced Engineer with proven planning, concept and design skills underpinned by superior thinking and innovative ideas. In this standalone position your skills will be embraced, and you can play a significant part in supporting the urban liveability, sustainability and resilience needed for the city’s long-term prosperity. In time, the role is anticipated to grow but currently has no direct reports.As a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a technical environment, you are resourceful and will relish the opportunity to make this role your own.  You will join a team that is led by someone who is constantly striving for innovation, better ways of thinking and in applying the resources of Council to better serve the community. More specifically you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Civil or Chemical Engineering that are recognised by Engineers Australia as equivalent to a Bachelor of Engineering.

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a water & wastewater engineer or related role.

• Extensive Knowledge and experience in performing analysis in various information technology systems including the Microsoft Office suite, GIS and Business Management Systems.

• Extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, codes and guidelines and appropriate water and wastewater treatment, environmental regulations and standards.

• Knowledge of water and wastewater network models of varying complexity across modelling platforms including: Infoworks WS Pro, Infoworks ICM and Bentley Platforms.

Why this Role?

If a ‘sea change’ is something you’ve been looking for this could be your chance to enjoy life away from the daily commute and to enjoy all the benefits of a big city but in a coastal location where work/life balance is genuinely possible. The organisation is very ‘family-friendly’ and flexible hours are genuinely supported by management.As a guide and dependent upon qualifications and experience, a salary of between $103-$138K + super will be paid to the successful applicant. Benefits include a 9-day fortnight, 5 weeks annual leave and 17.5% holiday loading as well as ongoing learning and development opportunities. Generous relocation assistance will also be provided, and Council will support you to secure appropriate accommodation in this tight market. Future Learning and Development opportunities are also supported together with reimbursement of some professional registration fees.

From the Great Barrier Reef to world-class facilities, Townsville offers a lifestyle that’s second to none. If you’re passionate about engineering, sustainability, and community impact—this is your chance to lead with pride and purpose.If we’ve piqued your interest and you would love to live and work in the tropics and importantly to work on legacy projects – then call to discuss what could be a genuine, career enhancing opportunity.