Principal Structural Engineer – Advanced Analysis Specialist

About the role

The Adelaide Buildings & Places team is seeking a Principal (or Associate Director) level Structural Engineer to lead advanced analysis on complex, high‑risk projects across sectors such as defence and energy. The role can be based in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.

Key responsibilities

• Act as senior technical specialist in advanced structural analysis, including linear and non‑linear analysis, performance‑based seismic design, and soil‑structure interaction.
• Provide independent technical assurance and senior checking for complex, non‑standard design approaches.
• Interpret and apply Australian Standards and international codes (ASCE, ACI, AISC), performing gap analysis and developing project‑specific compliance strategies.
• Translate analytical outputs into clear design recommendations and support multidisciplinary teams.
• Mentor engineers, contribute to best‑practice development, and uplift capability across the structural team.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Engineering (Civil/Structural); postgraduate qualifications in structural dynamics or earthquake engineering are desirable.
• 10+ years of structural engineering experience with a focus on advanced analysis and complex structural behaviour.
• Australian citizenship and ability to obtain current defence clearance.

Required skills

• Non‑linear structural analysis and performance‑based seismic design.
• Strong knowledge of Australian Standards and international design codes.
• Proficiency with analysis software such as ETABS, SAP2000, Perform‑3D, STAAD.Pro, PLAXIS, SpaceGASS.
• Experience using MathCAD for auditable calculations.
• Scripting and computational design experience, preferably Python API for ETABS/SAP2000.