Principal Engineer

6 days ago


Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Inland Rail Full time $120,000 - $180,000 per year

About Inland Rail
The
Inland Rail
Program is a 1600km rail infrastructure project stretching from Brisbane to Melbourne incorporating new and existing rail track. The program includes the upgrading of existing standard gauge track, the enhancement of existing standard gauge track to cater for double stacking and the construction of new standard gauge links comprising of viaducts, tunnels, rail track, crossings and bridges. More information relating to the project can be found here: Inland Rail

About The Opportunity
Shape the Future of Australian Rail—Your Expertise Matters

Principal Engineer – Program Level (3 roles available)

  • Civil & Geotechnical
  • Track
  • Structures

Are you ready to leave your mark on Australia's largest and most transformative infrastructure projects? We're looking for passionate and experienced engineering professionals to lead their technical domain and help deliver a legacy project that will benefit communities for generations.

This is a rare career opportunity making a meaningful impact—driving innovation, building the national freight transport, and elevating your status in industry.

Why You'll Love This Role
As the Principal Engineer, you'll be the trusted technical authority—guiding design excellence, challenging convention, and collaborating with diverse teams to deliver smart, performance-based solutions.
You'll also have the opportunity to step into the lead Subject Matter Expert (SME) role
, leading the technical teams, helping shape strategy and capability across the entire Inland Rail Program.

We're committed to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where your voice is heard, your expertise is valued, and your career can thrive.

What You'll Be Doing

  • Lead technical solutions across the full Inland Rail program
  • Provide expert advice on design and delivery risks
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
  • Prepare high-level technical papers and board presentations
  • Champion innovation and engineering value management
  • Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture

About You
We're looking for people who bring deep technical expertise, a collaborative mindset, and a passion for making a difference. You'll ideally have:

  • Extensive experience in your discipline, with a strong track record in rail infrastructure
  • Tertiary qualifications in engineering
  • CPEng certification (RPEQ/RPEV desirable)
  • Strong communication and leadership skills
  • Experience influencing at senior levels and driving industry standards

This is more than a job—it's a chance to be part of something bigger. We welcome applications from all professional backgrounds and are keen to hear from passionate individuals ready to lead, inspire, and shape the future of infrastructure in Australia.

What You'll Be Joining

  • You will join one of the largest infrastructure programs in Australia.
  • This project will generate thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in local investment, boosting regional economies and communities right along the alignment.
  • Inland Rail is proud to have over 40% female representation and we would like to see these numbers grow.
  • Inland Rail is an Agile working environment in our State-of-the Art office embracing flexible working conditions.
  • Inland Rail adopted a collaborative approach to the delivery of the project, leading all parties involved to work toward the same goal. This fosters the displayed behaviours of Respect, Honesty, Integrity and Reliability.

Our Organisation and Culture
Inland Rail is an equal opportunity employer. Inland Rail will transform how we move goods around Australia – better connecting producers to markets and creating new opportunities for businesses, industries and regional community. The values that drive us and the work we deliver in the program incorporate Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence (CARE). We welcome like-minded individuals who value our culture.

At Inland Rail, we celebrate, support, and thrive on attracting people from all horizons and walks of life for the benefit of our employees, our program, and our community. Inland Rail is proud to be an equal opportunity and an affirmative action employer. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to submit their details to us.

All employment is decided based on suitability to the role, cultural fit, merit, and business needs.

Apply Now
If this opportunity sounds like the challenge you have been looking for please apply online today.

As part of the application process, you will be required to undergo pre-employment criminal history, reference and medical checks, including drug and alcohol testing. Inland Rail is a drug and alcohol-free working environment.

Please note that applications are reviewed from point of advertising so don't delay your application.


  • Principal Engineer

    2 weeks ago


    Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Downer EDI Limited Full time $120,000 - $250,000 per year

    Downer Rail and Transit Systems (RTS) is a market leader in rail and transit asset management, delivering integrated transport solutions across Australia and into emerging international markets. We're building a team of high-performing Principal Engineers to lead from the front-driving innovation, delivery excellence, and commercial growth. About the Role ...


  • Sydney, New South Wales, Australia LVI Associates Full time $120,000 - $180,000 per year

    Job Title:Principal / Senior Principal Coastal EngineerLocation:Sydney, AustraliaEmployment Type:Full-timeAbout the RoleWe are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Coastal Engineer to join our Sydney team at the Principal or Senior Principal level. This leadership role is ideal for someone who combines deep technical expertise with a passion for...

  • Principal Engineer

    7 days ago


    Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Talent – Specialists in tech, transformation & beyond Full time $180,000 - $250,000 per year

    Our client is seeking a highly skilled Principal Engineer with deep expertise in Data Engineering and Test Data Management (TDM) to join their enterprise technology team. This role is pivotal in driving data engineering strategies, ensuring robust test data management practices, and enabling high-quality, scalable, and compliant data solutions across the...

  • Principal Engineer

    7 days ago


    Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Allura Partners Full time $160,000 - $240,000 per year

    About the company Our client is a fast-scaling SaaS company headquartered in Sydney with a global footprint. Backed by Private Equity and a growing customer base, they're building intelligent, user-first platforms to solve real-world problems in a complex industry. The team is product-led and engineering-driven, with a high-performing culture. About the...

  • Principal Engineer

    4 days ago


    Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Essential Energy Full time $120,000 - $180,000 per year

    Job DescriptionWe are currently recruiting aPrincipal Engineerto join the Distribution System Operations team within the Network Strategy and Future Network Management branch.The team is responsible for the provision of long-term whole of network DSO strategy, programs and initiatives to deliver corporate objectives and to ensure that Essential Energy...

  • Principal Engineer

    7 days ago


    Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Hyre. Full time $180,000 - $250,000 per year

    We are partnering with a high growth fintech scaleup that is transforming how Australians experience transactions, embedding digital receipts, loyalty, and rewards directly into the payment process.They are now looking for a Principal Engineer to shape architecture, mentor senior engineers, and drive the next evolution of their AI powered platform processing...


  • Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Talenza Full time $150,000 - $250,000 per year

    Principal AI Engineer - Sydney $250,000 inc. super + bonus Permanent Role | Sydney CBDAre you just as comfortable in the boardroom as you are in the codebase? We're seeking a Principal AI Engineer to lead from the front-shaping AI strategy with clients while architecting and delivering advanced, hands-on solutions.In this senior role, you'll be the bridge...


  • Sydney, New South Wales, Australia ProFound People Full time $120,000 - $180,000 per year

    Principal Computer Vision Engineer – Sydney, HybridI'm working with a local, top-calibre engineering organisation on a search for a Principal Computer Vision Engineer to take a senior role in a high-impact, R&D-driven team.This is a unique opportunity to shape the architecture, performance, and capabilities of new, proprietary systems, from day one. The...

  • Principal Engineer

    4 days ago


    Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Westpac Group Full time $80,000 - $120,000 per year

    Create your best future and join Westpac as a Principal EngineerUNITE is our business-led, tech-enabled transformation, and a key priority for the Group. UNITE is about delivering 'one best way' to make our processes, systems and tech simpler so we can deliver a better experience for our customers and make things easier for our people.What's the role?An...

  • Principal Engineer

    2 days ago


    Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Westpac Full time $120,000 - $180,000 per year

    Job DescriptionCreate your best future and join Westpac as a Principal EngineerUNITE is our business-led, tech-enabled transformation, and a key priority for the Group. UNITE is about delivering 'one best way' to make our processes, systems and tech simpler so we can deliver a better experience for our customers and make things easier for our people.What's...