Who we are
In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.
As caretakers for Melbourne's water cycle, and our catchments. We care for water, life, and land throughout Melbourne: both its people and its biodiversity.
Each time you drink from the tap, flush a toilet, or kayak down the Yarra we're there. Primed and ready, quietly delivering some of the world's cleanest water for over five million residents and wildlife that call Melbourne home, just as we have for over 130 years.
If you value making it count, diving in with curiosity, and doing what's right, you're in the right place.
About the Role
The Principal Engineer, DSS Development Engineering & Planning Services, plays a pivotal role in shaping high‑quality stormwater and civil infrastructure across Melbourne Water's Development Services Scheme areas. This position leads the assessment and approval of complex functional designs—including wetlands, retarding basins, and waterways—while providing expert advice on subdivisions, development referrals, and stormwater management strategies. As a technical leader, you'll mentor engineers, make informed decisions on planning and flooding risks, and help drive continuous improvement within the team.
* Undertake reviews and approvals of functional designs/design reports for complex DSS assets such as wetlands, retarding basins, and waterways.
* Review and respond to Subdivision and Development Permit Referrals, Certifications and Statements of Compliance
* Assess and respond to complex Stormwater Management Strategies for subdivisions.
* Prepare Works/Non-Works Offers including preparation of Business Needs Identifier (BNI) documents to support investment in new stormwater infrastructure.
* Application processing and quality decision making
This role is ideal for a Registered Civil/Environmental Engineer with deep expertise in statutory planning, hydraulic/hydrological modelling, and strategic infrastructure planning who is ready to influence outcomes that support resilient, sustainable communities.
For more information, please refer to the Role Mandate
About you:
* Extensive experience in decision making in complex Civil Engineering and Urban planning related area of work.
* Experience in Victorian Statutory Planning processes and legislation strongly preferred.
* Experience in Financial Management of Development Services Schemes, Development Contribution Scheme or other Infrastructure Contribution Plans preferred.
* Highly developed technical leadership skills.
* Knowledge of hydraulic/hydrological and stormwater quality modelling
* Knowledge of Statutory Planning processes
* Expertise in Stormwater Management and Functional Design Review of drainage infrastructure
A Tertiary degree in civil/environmental engineering or similar and an Active Engineering Registration is required.
Why join us:
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: Thursday 12th of February 2026 at 11:55pm AEST