Lead Structural Engineer

GHD is a leading Australian professional services company operating across the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, architecture, and transportation. GHD provides engineering, environmental, and construction services to public- and private-sector clients across five continents and the Pacific region.

If you are a qualified Civil or Structural Engineer looking for your next professional challenge, we would welcome the opportunity to hear from you. We are currently seeking a Structural Lead Engineer with a strong technical track record, leadership capability, and sound engineering judgement to join our Global Collaboration Structural Engineering team. The role will lead and support the delivery of solutions across a diverse portfolio of projects, which may include buildings, transportation infrastructure, healthcare, water, energy, industrial facilities, and mining. The successful candidate will work with clients and multidisciplinary teams locally and internationally, acting as a technical authority and contributing to the continued development of GHD’s capabilities.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the structural discipline on multidisciplinary projects of varying scale and complexity, from concept development through to final delivery.

• Establish design criteria and strategies, assess alternatives, and guide the resolution of complex structural engineering challenges.

• Assume technical accountability for discipline deliverables by undertaking or coordinating the reviews and verification activities required to ensure quality, consistency, and regulatory compliance.

• Plan and manage the discipline’s work, including scope, resources, hours, budget, schedule, interfaces, risks, and delivery commitments.

• Coordinate engineers and designers, assign responsibilities, and provide technical direction appropriate to the complexity of the work.

• Represent the discipline in technical discussions with clients, contractors, and internal teams, clearly communicating design bases, risks, and engineering recommendations.

• Coordinate and participate in inspections and site visits, including assessments of existing structures and identification of design constraints, as required.

• Collaborate with local and international teams and enable effective delivery through global collaboration and workshare models.

• Contribute to proposals, estimates, and opportunity planning by supporting the definition of scope, methodology, resources, and technical risks.

• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, standardisation, and the effective use of digital tools within structural engineering practice.

• Mentor and develop less experienced professionals, promoting good practice, knowledge transfer, and technical growth.

• Participate in technical communities and contribute to strengthening GHD’s capability and market presence.

Required skills and experience:

• A recognised degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (mandatory).

• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in structural engineering, supported by broad and deep expertise in the candidate’s area of specialisation.

• Demonstrated experience as a Lead Engineer, Discipline Lead, Project Manager, Project Director, or technical authority for structural engineering on complex projects. More than six years in comparable roles will be highly regarded.

• Experience in one or more sectors, such as buildings, transportation infrastructure, healthcare, water, energy, industrial facilities, or mining. Mining and industrial project experience will be valued but is not the only relevant sector background.

• Advanced capability in the seismic analysis and design of steel and reinforced-concrete structures, including the application of national and/or international codes and standards.

• Experience with projects involving new and/or existing structures, including assessment, repair, modification, strengthening, or rehabilitation.

• Experience in seismic protection systems, advanced dynamic analysis, bridges, ports, or other areas of structural specialisation will be highly regarded.

• Advanced proficiency in structural analysis and design software such as SAP2000, Robot Structural Analysis, ETABS, or equivalent tools. Experience with other software, including SAFE, IDEA StatiCa, and ANSYS, will be valued where relevant.

• Experience with BIM platforms and methodologies, together with the ability to coordinate information using tools such as Revit, Navisworks, and Autodesk Forma, will be highly regarded.

• Sound knowledge of engineering design, review, and verification processes, with the ability to identify assumptions, risks, inconsistencies, and opportunities for optimisation.

• Experience in the technical management of projects or disciplines, including scope, resources, hours, budget, schedule, quality, and multidisciplinary interfaces.

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, delegate effectively, guide decisions, and develop professionals at different career stages.

• Ability to engage directly with national and international clients and communicate complex technical matters clearly, accurately, and appropriately for different audiences.

• Experience collaborating with international teams or working within global collaboration and workshare models will be highly regarded.

• Experience preparing proposals, estimating hours, and defining methodologies and resource requirements will be highly regarded.

• Advanced English proficiency (B2 or above), with the ability to contribute effectively to international projects and teams, is mandatory.

• Excellent collaboration, communication, planning, decision-making, accountability, and complexity-management skills.

• A strong commitment to health, safety, and the environment, as well as quality, continuous improvement, and compliance with applicable standards and procedures.