16th September, 2026

Project Engineer - Mechanical / HVAC | Adelaide, SA | Up to $150K
A permanent Project Engineer role with a Tier 1 construction company on a long term Defence project in the Edinburgh Defence Precinct, northern Adelaide. You will report directly to the Project Manager as his second in charge and run the engineering side of the job on the ground. Australian citizenship and the ability to obtain a DCAC are essential.

About the Project
Mechanical and HVAC delivery on a secure Defence site approximately 25 minutes north of the Adelaide CBD. Long programme, secure work, and a Project Manager who wants someone to take real ownership rather than just push paper.

The Role

- Managing engineering queries and RFIs from start to finish
- Reviewing project documentation, drawings and technical submissions
- QA and quality documentation, including ITPs and inspection and test procedures
- Preparing project reports and supporting IPCs and progress claims
- Coordinating the mechanical and HVAC scope on site
- Supporting commissioning of HVAC systems in the later stages of the programme

What You Bring

- 3 to 5 years experience as a Project Engineer in mechanical services, building services or a related field
- Mechanical background. This role is mechanical specific and civil, structural or electrical experience will not be considered
- Solid working understanding of HVAC, ventilation and cooling systems. You do not need to be a design engineer, but you need to understand how the systems work




- Experience with RFIs, ITPs, QA documentation and progress claims
- Australian citizenship (essential, no exceptions)
- Clean Australian Federal Police check and the ability to obtain a DCAC for Defence site access
- Based in South Australia

Experience on Defence sites, or in critical environments such as data centres, hospitals, laboratories or clean rooms, will be highly regarded. Anyone who currently holds or has previously held a DCAC will move to the front of the queue.
What's On Offer

- Up to $150,000 for the right candidate
- Permanent role on a long term Defence programme
- Direct reporting line to the Project Manager with genuine ownership of the engineering scope
- Metro Adelaide site, no FIFO and no drive in drive out
- Real commissioning exposure on complex HVAC systems

Worth Knowing Before You Apply
This is a site based role with standard weekday hours for most of the programme. There will be occasional Saturdays later in the job when the programme requires it, and night work in blocks of around two weeks during commissioning, because HVAC systems are commissioned at night. We would rather tell you that now than at offer stage.

How To Apply
Apply via the link below with an up to date CV. All conversations are confidential. To be considered you must be an Australian citizen with a clean police record and be able to obtain a DCAC. Unfortunately we cannot progress applications that do not meet this requirement.

📌 Project Engineer - Mechanical/HVAC (Adelaide)
🏢 TradeConnex
📍 Adelaide