Director and Chief Safety Engineer

About the role

The Office of Industrial Relations is seeking a senior leader to head its Engineering Services unit, providing technical advice and regulatory support to improve workplace safety across Queensland.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the multidisciplinary Engineering Services team, aligning resources with strategic objectives.
• Provide expert technical advice on complex occupational safety and engineering matters to ministers, senior officials and industry stakeholders.
• Oversee incident investigations involving structural, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, prepare expert reports and act as an expert witness.
• Manage design registration and licensing processes for high‑risk plant and major amusement parks, assessing applications against technical standards.
• Develop prevention, enforcement and intervention strategies for emerging workplace risks and technologies.
• Represent OIR and WHS Queensland at government, industry and standards‑development forums.

Required profile

• Extensive experience as an engineering leader in a regulated, safety‑critical environment.
• Registered (or eligible for registration) Professional Engineer of Queensland.
• Proven ability to interpret legislation, policy and standards into practical safety strategies.
• Strong communication skills for presenting complex technical matters to senior officials, courts and industry leaders.
• Collaborative, consultative leadership style that builds high‑performing teams.

Required skills

• Mechanical engineering
• Civil/structural engineering
• Electrical and electronic systems engineering
• Hydraulic and pneumatic system expertise
• High‑risk plant design and safety assessment
• Incident investigation and expert reporting

What we offer

• Senior leadership role with significant public impact.
• Flexible working arrangement – typically three days onsite and two days remote.
• Supportive engineering team focused on knowledge sharing and professional development.