Senior Design Engineer - Water & Wastewater Infrastructure

Innova Water Pty Ltd
Ascot, Brisbane QLD
$135,000 - $155,000 + Super

Design. Procurement. Construction. Commissioning.

Most engineering consultancies design projects.

At Innova Water, we help deliver them.

We are a specialist water and wastewater infrastructure consultancy providing process engineering, hydraulic design, design management, procurement support, commissioning assistance and technical project delivery services across Australia's east coast.

Unlike many traditional consultancies, our team combines process design expertise with extensive real-world construction, commissioning and project delivery experience. This allows us to provide practical engineering solutions that consider how infrastructure will actually be procured, built, commissioned and operated.

As a result, our clients engage us for far more than traditional design services. We regularly support projects through:

Concept development and feasibility studies

Process and hydraulic design

Design management and coordination

Procurement and vendor selection

Construction support

Commissioning and optimisation

Proof of Performance (PoP) testing

Operational handover and training

As our business continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced Design Engineer or emerging Senior Design Engineer who can take ownership of projects, work directly with clients and continue developing their technical and project delivery capabilities.

About the Role

This is an opportunity to join a small, high-performing consultancy where you will have genuine responsibility and influence over project outcomes.

You will work across a wide range of water and wastewater infrastructure projects including:

Water Treatment Plants

Wastewater Treatment Plants

Pump Stations

Recycled Water Facilities

Chemical Dosing Systems

Pipeline and Transfer Infrastructure

You will be involved throughout the project lifecycle, from concept development through detailed design, procurement, commissioning and handover.

This is not a purely desk-based design role.

You will regularly engage with:

Clients

Vendors

Contractors

Operators

Commissioning Teams

and will see your designs progress from concept through to construction and operation.

Key Responsibilities

Process & Hydraulic Design

Lead and undertake process and hydraulic design activities including:

Development of Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs)

Development and review of Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)

Process calculations and mass balances

Hydraulic calculations and assessments

Equipment sizing and selection

Chemical dosing system design

Development of Basis of Design documentation

Preparation of detailed design reports

Functional descriptions and control philosophies

Alarm lists and interlock schedules

You will be expected to progressively develop the capability to independently deliver complete process design packages.

Design Coordination

Coordinate civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and controls disciplines

Manage technical design actions and deliverables

Participate in design reviews and workshops

Review drawings, reports and technical specifications

Assist with CHAIR, HAZID, HAZOP and CHAZOP workshops

Work directly with clients and project stakeholders

Support junior engineers and designers as the team grows

Procurement & Vendor Management

Develop technical scopes of work

Assist with preparation of RFQs and procurement packages

Review and assess vendor submissions

Compare treatment technologies and equipment options

Support equipment selection activities

Assist clients with procurement-related technical decisions

Construction & Commissioning Support

Participate in site inspections and investigations

Support construction activities and technical queries

Assist with commissioning planning and execution

Support troubleshooting and optimisation activities

Prepare operational documentation and training materials

Contribute to Proof of Performance testing and reporting

About You

You are a practical engineer who enjoys solving real-world problems and seeing projects successfully delivered.

You take ownership of your work, communicate well with clients and enjoy being involved in more than just producing drawings and reports.

Essential

Degree in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering or related discipline

Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency

5+ years relevant experience in water, wastewater or a related process industry

Demonstrated experience undertaking process design activities

Ability to prepare or contribute to:

PFDs

P&IDs

Process calculations

Design reports

Functional descriptions

Strong technical writing and communication skills

Ability to manage smaller projects or design packages with limited supervision

Willingness to participate in site work and commissioning activities

Strong desire to continue growing as a specialist water industry engineer

Highly Regarded

Experience with:

Water Treatment Plants

Wastewater Treatment Plants

Pump Stations

Recycled Water Systems

Industrial Water Treatment Systems

Exposure to:

Construction support

Commissioning activities

Procurement and vendor management

Design management

Client-facing project delivery

Software experience in:

AutoCAD

Process modelling software

Hydraulic modelling software

Engineers from Construction Backgrounds Encouraged to Apply

We recognise that some of the industry's strongest engineers have developed their careers through project delivery and construction rather than traditional consulting pathways.

Applications are encouraged from engineers who have gained experience in:

Construction and commissioning of treatment plants

Procurement and equipment selection

Project engineering and design management

Contractor and vendor coordination

Water and wastewater infrastructure delivery

Candidates with strong practical experience and demonstrated technical capability will be considered, even if they have developed their careers outside a traditional consulting environment.

What Success Looks Like

Within your first 12 months you will:

Deliver process design packages with increasing independence

Build strong relationships with clients and suppliers

Lead smaller projects and design packages

Support procurement and equipment selection activities

Participate in commissioning projects

Contribute to concept, tender and detailed design work

Develop a broader understanding of design management and project delivery

Why Join Innova Water?

Work directly with highly experienced water industry specialists

Gain exposure to the full project lifecycle

Accelerate your professional development

Increase your involvement in client-facing activities

Participate in construction, commissioning and operational support

Enjoy genuine responsibility and autonomy

Be part of a growing specialist consultancy with a strong reputation for practical engineering solutions

At Innova Water, you'll do more than produce designs.

You'll help clients develop, procure, construct, commission and optimise critical water and wastewater infrastructure that serves communities across Australia.

Salary & Growth

$135,000 - $155,000 + Super (depending on experience and capability)

As a growing specialist consultancy, we recognise and reward people who take ownership, build strong client relationships and help drive successful project outcomes.

Additional remuneration may be considered over time based on:

Demonstrated technical capability

Project leadership

Client management

Contribution to business growth

Overall impact on project delivery

For exceptional performers, future opportunities may include senior leadership responsibilities, expanded project ownership and participation in longer-term profit-sharing initiatives as the business continues to grow.

Working Arrangements

Brisbane office based (Ascot)

Up to 1 day per week work from home

Regular site visits and commissioning activities

Occasional travel as required

How to Apply

Please submit your CV together with a brief cover letter outlining:

Relevant water or wastewater projects you have worked on.

Examples of process design activities you have completed independently.

Your experience interacting directly with clients, contractors or vendors.

Any commissioning, procurement or construction support experience.

Why you are interested in joining a specialist water and wastewater infrastructure consultancy.