Title:  Principal Engineer - Materials Technology

About Us

The Department of Transport and Planning oversees key planning, transport and land use policy decisions and management across the State. A life-cycle approach to planning, building, connecting and sustaining communities means our people can come together to; improve services, deliver sustainable projects, focus on customer engagement, streamline regulatory approval pathways, facilitate community consultation and better realise local economic opportunities for more liveable communities across Victoria.

Network Design and Integration delivers transport priorities through the planning, development and maintenance of an integrated pipeline of projects and strategic initiatives that provide safe, efficient and sustainable outcomes to all Victorians.

We’re focused on outcomes that deliver more choice, connections and confidence in our travel, ensuring the whole transport network works as one to deliver better services and outcomes.

About the Role

Job Location: Ringwood, Melbourne

Reporting to the Principal Engineer Structures, the position sits within the Standards and Transport Engineering Branch (STE) of A&E and provides expert advice on materials technology and related services for road and structural applications.  They are also responsible for specification application and development, and the creation and maintenance of Victorian guidelines, standards, and specifications for issues related to concrete, steel, coatings, innovative materials including plastics, and material durability across the road assets portfolio.

The position occupant will also provide expert technical advice and knowledge transfer in concrete technology, steel and innovative materials to DTP clients and other government agencies. The occupant will collaborate with Austroads, Standards Australia, peak industry and international bodies.

To access the Position Description, please click here.

Position Outcomes / Accountabilities

• Lead the development of technical standards and specifications related to the use of steel, concrete and innovative materials, such as recycled plastic and ensures . all relevant DTP standards align with current industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as a key resource for interpreting standards, resolving technical queries, and ensuring that material choices meet project-specific and environmental requirements.
• Develop solutions and/or engage specialist advisors to rectify road assets which have suffered  failures arising from durability other operational issues, e.g., bridge strikes, fire, corrosion etc.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the technical standards for materials (i.e. steel, concrete, innovative materials) are understood and adopted across all projects. Collaborate with other road agency partners, Austroads, and academia as needed to develop nationally harmonised standards and specifications.
• Identify and implement opportunities for improvement in material technology standards and practices, introducing innovations and technologies that can enhance the performance of construction materials in infrastructure whilst minimising the asset lifecycle cost.
• Help identify and develop material technology capability within DTP by  ensuring that relevant knowledge and expertise in material technology is transferred to the next generation of engineers.

Key Selection Criteria

The DTP is seeking a highly skilled and influential engineering leader with expertise in materials technology, particularly in concrete, steel, and innovative construction products. The role requires exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills to build partnerships, influence outcomes, and drive collaboration across internal and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will demonstrate advanced research, analytical and technical capabilities, with proven experience providing authoritative advice, adapting strategies to achieve optimal results, and leading teams in delivering complex engineering solutions.

Qualifications and Experience

Mandatory

• Tertiary qualification in Engineering or Material Science
• Experience in material technology, in particularly concrete and steel
• Victorian Drivers License
• RPEV registered, or willing to become registered, to meet the requirements of the Professional Engineers Registration Act (2019)

Desirable

• 10+ years working in the design and management of transport infrastructure

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

• Meaningful work making Victorian communities more accessible and liveable
• Professional growth and development opportunities across the department and the wider Victorian Public Services
• A hybrid working model focused on collaboration and teamwork
• Optimal work-life balance initiatives including flexible working arrangements
• Opportunity to work across multiple urban and suburban hubs
• We prioritise the development of a safe and inclusive culture

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 you encounter any issues, refer to our Quick Reference Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 26th of October 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 Arthur Apostolopoulos, Senior Manager Roads Engineering, via arthur.apostolopoulos@transport.vic.gov.au

Important Information: 

• If you require any adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, or need the advert or attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print), please contact us by phone or email. We're here to support you.