Principal Development Engineer

Why work with us?

At Council, we’re proud of our region. We collaborate with community to achieve truly sustainable outcomes, enhance our enviable lifestyle, and create award-winning places and spaces that are uniquely Sunshine Coast. So, if you love it here as much as we do, and you want to shape our region for the future – you’ll want to join our team!

With the vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region -Connected. Liveable. Thriving, our region is a model of sustainability, where caring for our environment, creating vibrant communities and growing our local economy is a way of life.

About the Role

As Principal Development Engineer, you will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping sustainable, high‑quality development outcomes for the Sunshine Coast. Operating at the intersection of growth, liveability and regulation, you will influence how complex developments are assessed and delivered, working closely with industry, community and internal stakeholders to support Council’s vision for a thriving, future‑focused region.

This is a senior, high‑impact role for a trusted engineering authority. You will provide expert advice on complex civil engineering, constructed assets and compliance matters, while setting clear standards for professional judgement, collaboration and service excellence. Through strong leadership and strategic contribution, you will help evolve development assessment practices and support consistent, defensible and timely outcomes across Council.

• Lead the assessment of complex and high‑risk development applications, delivering timely, defensible and high‑quality engineering outcomes
• Provide senior technical and people leadership, mentoring professionals and driving high performance across the team
• Act as a trusted authority on civil engineering, constructed assets and compliance, applying legislation, policy and best practice with sound judgement
• Influence and negotiate outcomes with industry, agencies and internal stakeholders to balance growth, sustainability and community expectations
• Contribute strategically to policy, systems and service improvement, shaping the future of development assessment at Council

About you

You are confident operating in complex, high‑stakes environments, able to lead people, manage competing interests and deliver clear, defensible advice with professionalism and integrity.

What you’ll bring

• Degree in Civil Engineering, with significant experience in development assessment and complex applications
• Eligibility for Engineers Australia membership and RPEQ registration
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, standards, policies and state codes
• Proven ability to analyse complexity, exercise sound judgement and make defensible decisions
• Experience leading high‑risk projects and negotiations with senior and diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership, communication and professional acumen, including mentoring others and producing high‑quality reports

Our Culture & Employee Benefits

Council is committed to creating an inclusive, culturally diverse, healthy, skilled and dedicated workplace culture. As an employee you will enjoy a range of benefits and working styles to suit you:

• Wellbeing: Your wellbeing is important to us therefore we offer a number of different initiatives such as discounted health related memberships, fitness passport, employee assistance program and development opportunities. 
• Flexibility: We know it is important to balance life and work, therefore we offer flexible working including a 9-day fortnight and a hybrid WFH model that help you be your best.
• Extras: Those extras make a difference therefore we offer salary packaging options on novated leases, superannuation, smartphones and devices.

How to apply

Your written application should include:

• A 1-2 page cover letter demonstrating your ability to fulfil the mandatory and desirable requirements on the Position Profile. Keep the key responsibilities in mind when addressing this criteria; and
• A current resume or curriculum vitae.

Once you have these two documents ready, click ‘Apply Now’ and follow the prompts to complete your application.

Further Information

Helpful information to assist you in completing your application is available on the Sunshine Coast Council website.

To learn more about Council’s vision and projects, you can view the Corporate Plan 2025-2030.

For specific enquiries contact Damien Frey during business hours on 0428 791 399.

We're working hard to create an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse community we serve. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to the Recruitment Team [email protected].

At Sunshine Coast Council, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background including First Nations, disability, religion and sexual orientation. To deliver the best service to our region we want a workforce that reflects the diverse community that we serve. Sunshine Coast Council strongly encourages all suitable applicants to apply for this role.