Principal Hydraulic Engineer

You’ll connect Queensland. We’ll connect you to an amazing career.

 
At Queensland Rail, we connect communities, industries and regions across the state by delivering essential services that have kept Queensland moving for 160 years.  

 
Our core priorities guide everything we do: keeping people safe, delivering exceptional services, strengthening our network, supporting freight, and operating efficiently and sustainably. 

 
Learn more about Queensland Rail’s purpose, people, and progress – watch our short video here

 
Queensland Rail has a fixed term 6 month opportunity for an experienced Principal Hydraulic Engineer to provide specialist expertise in drainage design, hydraulic modelling and flood risk assessment across a diverse portfolio of rail infrastructure projects.

Working within the Track and Civil Engineering team, this role will lead and support hydraulic design activities that help protect critical rail assets, improve network resilience and ensure compliance with engineering standards and regulatory requirements. 

This is your platform; this is where your journey begins

 
•    Six (6) month fixed-term Queensland Rail opportunity. While the role is offered on a six-month contract, there may be potential for an extension depending on business needs.
•    Brisbane CBD location 
 

About the role

As the Principal Hydraulic Engineer, you will:

• Lead drainage design and review activities for rail infrastructure projects.
• Conduct hydraulic and flood risk assessments and provide practical mitigation solutions.
• Deliver 2D hydraulic modelling and support associated earthworks design activities.
• Prepare technical reports, recommendations, project risk assessments and cost estimates.
• Participate in Safety in Design workshops and contribute to quality assurance processes.
• Review designs and undertake site inspections to ensure compliance with standards and project requirements.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership teams.

About you

You are a subject matter expert in hydraulic engineering, bringing significant experience in drainage planning, flood modelling and infrastructure design.  Combining sound engineering judgement with strong stakeholder engagement skills, you can confidently lead technical assessments, influence project outcomes and provide trusted engineering advice across a diverse portfolio of rail projects.

Essential requirements

• Minimum 5 years demonstrated experience delivering hydraulic engineering and drainage design solutions.
• Proven capability to conduct flood risk assessments using 2D hydraulic modelling software (e.g. Tuflow modelling and develop mitigation strategies).
• Demonstrated experience developing and reviewing drainage plans in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Strong experience using 12D and AutoCAD for drainage and basic earthworks modelling.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams collaboratively.
• A proactive mindset with a strong focus on quality and continuous improvement.

Formal qualifications 
 

• Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering
• Registered Professional Engineer Queensland (RPEQ)
• Current and unrestricted Driver's Licence
    

Click Here for the full Position Description 
 

Benefits that Count  

 
All that Queensland Rail achieves each day relies on the hard work and talent of our teams. That’s why we offer a range of attractive benefits designed to help you bring your best, including:   
 

Annual base salary ranges from $160,990 - $172,600 plus 12.75% Superannuation. 

• Flexible working options with a 38-hour standard Monday to Friday work week
• Access to eligible Queensland Rail’s employee benefits - Click here to see the full range of benefits available to Queensland Rail employees 
   

Your journey matters. Make it with us.    

 
There has never been a more exciting time to join Queensland Rail. We offer boundless opportunities to support your career today and for your future. 

**Whilst we value global talent, for this role visa support/sponsorship will not be applicable** 

Please apply to Principal Hydraulic Engineer (12015) via our website by clicking onto the "Apply" button by 11:59pm (GMT+10:00 Brisbane) Sunday 6th September 2026.

Supporting a Diverse Workforce

Queensland Rail acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Elders of the lands and waterways our network traverses.

Our teams are People who Count. We encourage diversity in our teams, including different genders, age, race, disability status, sexual orientation, religions, neurodiversity, education levels and many more aspects. No two journeys are the same, and it’s because of our differences that as a collective, we achieve great things.

We provide reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees.

If you do require a reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process, please contact Cynthia via the details below.

Applicants for roles at Queensland Rail may undergo pre-employment alcohol and drug testing if they advance in the recruitment process. The selection process may also include psychometric assessments, pre-employment health checks and background screenings, which could involve criminal history and credit checks, if this applies to the pre-employment requirements for this role.

For roles that have pre-employment qualifications, we will also be required to do formal qualification verification processes to ensure qualifications align to Queensland Rail's pre-employment frameworks.  

To learn more about this Queensland Rail career opportunity please contact Cynthia with your enquiry via cynthia.mackenzie@qr.com.au   Please do not email your application. We can only accept applications received via our website.