Title:  Lead Specialist - Optimisation

About us
We create thriving places and connected communities. We bring together transport, planning, land use, precinct and policy functions in a single department to deliver the best outcomes for Victorians.  
Together with our portfolio agencies, we are responsible for planning, building, operating and maintaining Victoria’s transport, planning and land services for use by all.  
We foster a safe, inclusive and constructive place to work.  

About the group
Transport Services delivers safe, reliable and accessible transport infrastructure and services to keep Victoria moving, connecting people to what matters most in their lives.

About the role
This is an Ongoing Full Time Position 

The Lead Specialist Signals provides technical leadership to a team of traffic signal engineers, guiding their development and ensuring high-quality, compliant design and optimisation of Victoria’s traffic control systems. They drive strategic and operational initiatives, leveraging expertise in transport analytics, intelligent transport systems and AI to help position the Department as a global leader in safe, efficient and future-ready traffic signal operations.

Key Selection Criteria
To access the Position Description, please click here  

To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical leadership, strategic thinking and the ability to build capability across a high-performing engineering team. They will bring deep expertise in traffic signal design and optimisation, coupled with a commitment to innovation, continuous improvement and effective stakeholder engagement to deliver complex, network-wide outcomes. Success in this role relies on the ability to translate strategic priorities into practical delivery, foster collaboration and adaptability, and apply sound judgement to guide the development of future-ready signal operations.

Personal Attributes
On a personal level, the successful applicant will be an adaptable, collaborative and forward-thinking technical leader who thrives in a dynamic environment where innovation, continuous improvement and problem-solving are core to the work. The team values proactive communication, sound judgement and a supportive coaching style, so someone who builds strong relationships and brings others along with them will excel in this role.

Position accountabilities
The role leads and mentors signal Teams within a matrix structure to drive a high-performing, collaborative culture while ensuring consistent, high-quality signal design and optimisation across the network. It also provides strategic, technically sound advice and innovative solutions for traffic signal projects, develops team capability for future-ready technologies, and communicates complex technical information to senior leadership and key stakeholders.

–    Lead the technical development of signal Teams within a matrix structure, including mentoring and coaching, to foster a collaborative and high-performing culture aligned with the Department’s values of accountability, teamwork, customer focus and innovation.
–    Work collaboratively with senior leadership (including other Lead Specialists) to support the business planning process, including developing relevant initiatives for the design and optimisation of signals, to effectively communicate and deliver the Team or Branch's priorities.
–    Lead the development, implementation and continuous compliance of quality and consistent signal design and optimisation practice across the signal Teams through effective technical leadership and documentation, including the monitoring and analysis of risks/issues and delivering mitigation solutions.

Qualifications and experience
Mandatory
–     Tertiary qualification in engineering, data analytics/science, computer science or related discipline.
–    Advanced experience in traffic signal design and optimisation for adaptive traffic control systems. 
–    Ability to travel within the state for site inspections.
–    Driver’s license (without any restriction which preclude the incumbent from performing the inherent requirements of the position and which cannot be reasonably accommodated by the Department.)

Desirable
–    Moderate experience in data analytics and/or computer programming.

Culture Value
We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds representing the community that we serve, including veterans, parents, carers, First Peoples, people with disability, multicultural, multifaith and LGBTIQA+ individuals.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture. Through shared actions and behaviours aligned with our strategy and direction, we empower our people to thrive and meaningfully contribute to the department’s goals.

What we offer
Working at the Department of Transport and Planning provides people with the opportunity to contribute to creating thriving places and connected communities for all Victorians.For further details please refer to Careers at the Department of Transport and Planning.

Pre-employment checks and employment conditions 
All new appointments to the department will be subject to a National Criminal Records Check, Misconduct Screening, and a Qualification Check where there is a requirement for a mandatory qualification. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be treated in the strictest confidence consistent with the requirements of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.

Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.

Non-VPS applicants will be subject to a probation period of six months.

How to apply

Click the ‘Apply’ button to be redirected to our recruitment platform, where you may need to create an account to submit your application.

If have any issues, click here for Quick Reference Guide on how to apply.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Monday, 8 December 2025.

Please include both your resume and a cover letter. All applications must be submitted via the online portal, we’re unable to accept email or manual submissions.

For further information about the role, please contact Richard Zhou, Senior Manager. Signals and Improvement via richard.zhou@transport.vic.gov.au.

Important Information:
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