Design Engineer – Piling and Excavation

Role Overview

Position: Design Engineer

Working Hours & Conditions: Aligned with AU hours; full-time

• remote

OVERVIEW:

• The client is looking for an innovative Design Engineer to join their highly skilled team. Known for taking on complex soil conditions and delivering full basement packages, this firm prides itself on adapting to the unexpected and fighting for every project's success. In this role, you will be the technical backbone of their groundworks projects — not only designing robust CFA piling, hand piling, retention systems, shoring, excavation, and demolition solutions, but also actively contributing to the estimating process by preparing detailed cost estimates and client-ready quotes. This is a dual design-and-commercial role built for a hands-on engineer who wants to own the full project lifecycle from technical design through to bid submission. If you thrive under pressure, possess a no-nonsense approach to problem-solving, and have real experience working on Australian construction projects, this is the role for you.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design & Engineer: Create structural and geotechnical designs for complex ground retention systems, CFA piling, hand piling, full basement excavations, shoring systems, and demolition scopes. Experience across the full early-works spectrum is essential.
• Solve Complex Challenges: Rapidly adapt and modify designs to address unforeseeable on-site soil conditions, adverse weather impacts, and structural constraints.
• Collaborate & Coordinate: Work closely with the pre-construction and operations teams to ensure a seamless transition from design through to execution. Play an active role in the estimating process, supporting the team in scoping, pricing, and coordinating trade packages.
• Analyze Technical Data: Assess geotechnical reports, site surveys, and structural blueprints to formulate the most efficient, cost-effective, and safe foundation solutions.
• Ensure Compliance: Maintain strict adherence to local building codes, safety standards, and engineering best practices across all project deliverables.
• Estimate & Quote: Prepare detailed take-offs, cost estimates, and client-ready proposals for piling, shoring, excavation, and demolition scopes. Own the technical inputs to the quoting process and assist in producing competitive submissions.
• Support Field Operations: Provide hands-on technical support to on-site crews during challenging groundworks, ensuring the design intent is met and mitigating any construction deviations without missing a beat.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience: 3+ years of proven engineering experience in Australia, specifically across foundation design, piling (CFA, bored, hand), ground retention, shoring, excavation, and demolition. Demonstrated exposure to Australian construction standards, codes, and project environments is non-negotiable.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong command of structural and geotechnical design software (e.g., AutoCAD, WALLAP, PLAXIS, or equivalent industry tools).
• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of soil mechanics, groundworks/early works phases, and Australian construction standards including NCC, AS/NZS codes, and local council requirements.
• Analytical Skills: Demonstrated ability to accurately interpret complex geotechnical reports and translate that data into actionable, structurally sound designs.
• Estimating & Commercial Acumen: Proven ability to prepare take-offs, cost estimates, and client-facing quotes for piling, shoring, excavation, and demolition scopes. Comfortable working across both the design and pre-construction commercial functions.