Technical Director – Structural (Water & Wastewater) | Sydney CBD

About the role Join a leading multidiscipline engineering consultancy that finds smarter, better ways for clients to deliver, operate and maintain infrastructure. That approach builds long-lasting relationships and strong outcomes for clients and partners.

As Technical Director, you'll be the structural technical authority for the water infrastructure design team. You'll set technical direction, lead design governance and grow a high-performing structural team, working across contractors and water utilities.

The design team works directly for Sydney Water and other major utilities. It also partners with selected contractors to tender on treatment plant upgrades, pump stations and other critical water and wastewater infrastructure. The team is made up of experienced engineers and drafters who own their projects, challenge existing designs and look for ways to improve the result for the client. It also supports teams in Victoria and the West Region Delivery Team for Sydney Water.

It's an exciting time to join. There are several major projects and programs underway and strong investment in the water sector. You'll also have room to bring in digital engineering, drones and emerging technology to deliver creative, practical solutions.

Key responsibilities

Technical and strategic leadership

- Act as the structural technical authority across the team's portfolio and set design standards and best practice
- Align engineering strategy with company and client business goals
- Lead the structural design team and subcontractors to deliver on time and on budget




- Own design governance and assurance so deliverables meet client requirements and quality standards
- Manage strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including utilities, contractors, and local and overseas partners
- Support business growth through bids, tenders and client relationships
- Mentor, upskill and grow the structural design team

Project and design delivery

- Develop innovative, robust solutions that deliver the best lifecycle outcomes
- Prepare design budgets, programs, design objectives, risk management plans and cost management
- Oversee and carry out structural design of concrete and steel structures for water and wastewater infrastructure
- Review and prepare calculations for wind, seismic, foundations, steel and water retaining concrete structures
- Lead structural FEA modelling using Strand7, Microstran and/or SpaceGass
- Oversee temporary works design for construction
- Lead options assessments, concept and detailed design documentation, design reports and structural inputs to other technical reports
- Provide technical support for construction, commissioning and maintenance teams
- Do site visits, prepare sketches and markups for drafting, and review drawings
- Lead condition assessments of structures
- Facilitate and take part in design reviews, HAZOP, CHAIR, CHAZOP and FMECA




- Deliver measurable benefits across projects and programs of work

About you
Essential

- Degree in Structural Engineering
- 15+ years' experience in structural engineering, including senior technical leadership
- Chartered in Structural Engineering with Engineers Australia (CPEng) or equivalent
- Water and wastewater experience, including water retaining structures
- Concept and detailed design of steel and concrete structures
- Experience managing the engineering and design side of multi-disciplinary projects
- Proven ability to drive outcomes with mixed multi-disciplinary teams and local and overseas partners
- Strong track record of leading and mentoring engineers
- Experience preparing design objectives, schedules and programs, risk management plans and cost management
- Good understanding of operational requirements, process interruption issues and brownfield installation planning

Desirable

- Condition assessment experience
- Project management experience
- HAZOP, CHAIR or other Safety in Design facilitation experience
- NER registration or RPEQ

What's on offer

- A senior technical leadership role shaping a growing structural team
- Major water sector programs with long-term investment behind them
- Room to drive innovation through digital engineering and emerging technology
- A modern CBD office within walking distance of trains, Metro, ferries and Circular Quay
- Flexible working, with 2–3 days in the office to start

Apply now or contact Cameron Rosie at COMPASS Recruitment on 0432 144 784 or [email protected] for a confidential chat.

📌 Technical Director - Structures (Sydney)
🏢 Compass Recruitment
📍 Sydney