Job Description
In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.
In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life. As caretakers of Melbourne’s water cycle and catchments, we care for water, life and land across the city. From protecting storages and preparing for floods, to restoring waterways and supporting thriving communities, our work shapes how Melbourne lives.
At the same time, we plan for the future, preparing for climate challenges in a growing city and ensuring it remains resilient for generations to come.
If you want your work to make a real difference, are willing to dive into complex challenges, and believe in doing what’s right, you’ll find your place here..
About the Role
As a Senior Engineer in Melbourne Water’s Development Services Schemes (DSS) team, you’ll play a vital role in shaping the water infrastructure that supports Melbourne’s future growth. This isn’t just an engineering role—it's a unique blend of civil engineering, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and problem‑solving, all focused on delivering high‑quality, sustainable water outcomes for our fast‑growing city.
In this role, you’ll work closely with developers, consultants, government agencies, and internal specialists to manage the planning, investigation, and design of new drainage and waterway assets in Melbourne’s growth areas. You will:
Assess and make decisions on development proposals, engineering designs, subdivisions, and stormwater strategies.
Provide expert civil engineering advice to ensure all new works meet Melbourne Water’s standards and deliver best‑practice outcomes.
Lead functional design assessments and prepare business cases that shape multi‑million‑dollar infrastructure projects.
Negotiate with developers and stakeholders to achieve the best environmental, technical and financial outcomes for the community.
Manage customer relationships and act as the key case officer for more complex engineering and planning matters.
Represent Melbourne Water in meetings and occasionally at VCAT, supporting high‑quality and defensible engineering decisions.
For more information, please refer to the Position Description
The ideal candidate is an experienced civil or land development engineer with strong judgement, excellent negotiation skills and deep knowledge of development engineering, floodplain management, waterways and stormwater.
About you
Strong civil or land development engineering capability, with demonstrated experience making complex engineering decisions independently
Deep understanding of development engineering, subdivision processes, floodplain management, stormwater, waterway design and integrated water management principles
Skilled in reviewing and applying engineering specifications, modelling standards, documentation, tenders, flood modelling and environmental assessments
Proven ability to assess planning, subdivision and development applications—including permits, functional designs, BNIs and stormwater strategies—within legislative and policy frameworks
Strong negotiation and influencing skills to manage technical discussions with developers, consultants, councils and authorities
Experience preparing evidence and supporting senior colleagues at VCAT or in similar regulatory or statutory environments
Confident using asset and process management systems such as DevConnect and Maximo, with a mindset for process improvement
A Tertiary degree in Relevant Tertiary qualification in Civil/Land Development Engineering.
At Melbourne Water, we care deeply about water and the life it sustains.
Our team is inspired by passion and purpose, with an unwavering commitment to safety. We are on a mission to protect every Melburnian’s way of life, one drop at a time.
We don’t just talk about flexible working - we live it. Our culture of purpose, safety, results, and learning flows through everything we do. We're dedicated to doing what's right, and this commitment extends to the meaningful work we do in a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages you to make the most of your talents.
Our long-standing commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, Neurodivergent Individuals, people living with disability, mature age and young jobseekers from all cultures can apply with confidence knowing they are safe, affirmed, and celebrated.
If you’re curious, action-orientated, outcomes-focused, and passionate about public resources, community, and the environment, we'd love to receive your application and learn if you could be a great fit.
How to Apply
Click the 'Apply Now' button below and complete our online application form.
Closing date: Monday 9 th March 2026 at 11:55pm AEST
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