About your new role

The Principal Utilities Engineer leads the coordination and management of all Public Utility Plant (PUP) interfaces across City Council infrastructure projects. Acting as the subject matter expert, the role ensures proposed designs are fully integrated with existing utility networks, preventing clashes and disruptions. The position also liaises with external utility authorities to facilitate approvals for protection, relocation, or new connection works. Aligned with Council’s “One City” approach, the Principal Utilities Engineer promotes collaboration, consistency, and best practice in utility coordination to support efficient and resilient project delivery.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Developing the PUP team, consolidating BYDA records, coordinating potholing and service proving, maintaining the PUP register, and leading utility review workshops.
• Accountable for ensuring that proposed designs do not clash with existing Public Utility Plant (PUP) assets.
• Incorporates verified PUP information into design documentation, including drawings, layouts, and 3D models.
• Acts as the subject matter expert (SME) on small, medium, and large or complex infrastructure projects.
• Liaises with utility authorities and service providers, consolidating “Dial Before You Dig” / Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) records.
• Coordinates and reviews potholing and service proving activities, ensuring accurate verification of existing utilities.
• Maintains and updates the PUP register as the single source of truth for verified utility data.
• Leads and facilitates formal PUP Review Workshops with internal and external design teams.
• Reviews and provides technical input on designs affecting utilities, including water, power, gas, and telecommunications networks.
• Facilitates and negotiates approvals and conditions for utility protection, relocation, and new connection works.
• Mentors and develops the PUP team, promoting collaboration, consistency, and best practice in utility coordination in line with Council’s “One City” approach.

We're looking for people who have:

To be successful in this position, you will be a highly driven and experienced engineering professional with a strong stakeholder focus, advanced problem-solving capabilities, and deep technical expertise in managing Public Utility Plant (PUP) interfaces. You bring a proven track record in the design, operation, and management of critical utility infrastructure, and are adept at ensuring proposed designs are fully coordinated with existing utilities to prevent clashes and disruptions.

You will have demonstrated experience leading complex projects and programs, such as Arc Flash Investigations or large-scale utility coordination initiatives, delivering solutions that comply with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and Council policies. You are confident in liaising with internal teams, utility authorities, and external stakeholders, consolidating BYDA records, arranging service proving, and maintaining accurate PUP registers.

In addition, you will actively contribute to the development, mentoring, and continuous improvement of utility and engineering practices citywide, leading workshops, reviewing designs, and facilitating approvals or conditions for utility protection, relocation, or connection works. Your collaborative and proactive approach ensures high-quality, resilient infrastructure delivery in line with City Council’s “One City” values.

• Minimum 10+ years’ experience in utility engineering, PUP review, and design coordination.
• RPEQ registration (or equivalent professional accreditation and or experience) in the relevant discipline is preferable.
• Drivers Licence Class C Unrestricted.
• WHS Licence General Construction White Card - desirable.

Be part of shaping the Gold Coast's future

The Gold Coast is inspired by lifestyle and driven by opportunity. We are the second largest Council in Australia.

We care about being the most flexible government organisation in Australia and we have a range of benefits to help you create the right balance:

9-day fortnight

Flexible work arrangements to suit your lifestyle, including hybrid/work from home options, flexible working hours and locations

Personal and professional development courses

Access to 350+ fitness facilities through Fitness Passport

4 free confidential counselling sessions a year for you or an immediate family member

1 free nutritionist and financial advice session per year

We pride ourselves on our shared mission of being a high-performing, customer-focused organisation which delivers value-for-money services to the community. We're committed to creating a diverse workplace and inclusive culture.

How to apply

For more information, view the position brief by clicking the paperclip icon in the top right corner of this screen.

Click 'Apply' to submit your online application. Upload your Resume with a Cover Letter (of no more than 2 pages) outlining how your skills, experience and personal attributes would allow you to achieve success in this role.

Documents need to be less than 2MB in size and PDF format is preferred. If you encounter technical issues when applying, please email [email protected]

Our selection process may include a one-way video interview via Criteria, a face-to-face or virtual interview via Microsoft Teams, reference checks via Xref and additional checks including police checks, employment history checks, qualification checks, pre-employment medical reviews and drug and alcohol testing.

Contact Person

Ali Hamade

Contact

[email protected]

Closing Date

Sunday 2nd November 2025

Please note applications for all of our vacancies close at 10.00pm on the listed closing date.

The City of Gold Coast is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are committed to supporting an environment where all employees, regardless of their differences or similarities, feel valued, respected and supported. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons are encouraged to apply.