Principal Development Engineer - Mackay

Principal Development Engineer - Civil Engineering - Located in Mackay

About the Mackay Region

Stretching along Queensland’s tropical coastline, the Mackay Region is where natural beauty meets economic opportunity. Known as the gateway to the Whitsundays, Mackay combines stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and the breathtaking Pioneer Valley with a thriving regional city offering all the amenities of modern life. The region boasts a strong and diverse economy supported by agriculture, resources, tourism, and industry, while maintaining a relaxed, family-friendly lifestyle. Locals enjoy fishing and boating in the blue waters of the Coral Sea, hiking through Eungella National Park to spot platypus, or dining at the vibrant marina precinct. With excellent schools, healthcare, and community facilities, Mackay offers a rare balance of career growth and coastal living. Affordable housing, short commutes, and welcoming communities make it an ideal place to call home, a place where you can build a rewarding career and enjoy the best of North Queensland’s laid-back lifestyle

Role Overview

The Principal Development Engineer leads Council’s development engineering team, overseeing complex and regionally significant applications, ensuring quality infrastructure and compliance, while driving efficiency, innovation, and strong stakeholder relationships to support sustainable regional growth.

Job Offering

• Salary range of $118,872 - $128,998 dependent on experience and weeks of annual leave
• Up to 18% superannuation with employee contributions
• Salary packaging options (i.e. novated vehicle leases).
• 76 hour fortnight, including one RDO per fortnight.
• Hybrid working arrangements – WFH days negotiable.
• 4 or 5 weeks annual leave
• Opportunities for further training and professional development.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives (i.e. Employee Assistance Program)
• Driving distance to Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands
• Relocation assistance is available.
• Join a supportive and collaborative local Council where you can thrive and where your contribution to the community is highly valued!

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Development Engineers and technical staff to deliver high-quality assessments and exceptional customer service.
• Assess complex and regionally significant development applications to ensure compliance with planning and engineering standards.
• Provide technical guidance and advice across infrastructure planning, design standards, and policy development.
• Manage relationships with developers, consultants, and State agencies to achieve balanced and practical outcomes.
• Oversee operational budgets and contribute to strategic and business planning for the Development Engineering function.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team

What You’ll Bring

• Tertiary qualifications in Civil Engineering or a related field (Degree preferred).
• Extensive experience in civil engineering assessment and development-related infrastructure.
• Proven leadership experience managing technical teams in a Local Government or consulting environment.
• Strong ability to review and negotiate engineering proposals including roads, drainage, and urban infrastructure.
• High-level communication, report writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• RPEQ registration (or ability to obtain within 12 months) highly desirable.

Learn More About Mackay Regional Council

"Please copy and paste the following into the search bar on the Mackay Regional Council website which is - www.mackay.qld.gov.au"

Mackay Regional Council - Corporate Plan

Mackay Regional Council - Operational Plan

How To Apply:

If you are interested in this first-class opportunity with Mackay Regional Council please click the apply button or contact Brock O’Brien at Precruitment on 0468 566 523 to discuss the opportunity in more detail.

About Us

With offices in Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane, Precruitment is regional Queensland's leading recruitment consultancy, specialising in permanent and temporary roles. We proudly partner with Local Government and regional employers to connect professionals with roles that combine lifestyle and career development.