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About SA Water

SA Water is a successful, modern water utility wholly owned by the Government of South Australia. We employ more than 1,700 people across a broad range of disciplines who operate more than $14 billion worth of infrastructure to deliver essential water and sewerage services to more than 1.8 million South Australians.

With operations and offices across the state, our strength and expertise have been shaped by our history. For more than 165 years, South Australians have depended on us to innovate and deliver efficient and sustainable water services. With nationally and internationally recognised industry expertise, we’re focused on understanding and meeting our customers’ expectations.

As well as safely delivering smart and reliable services for our customers of today, we innovate to shape the water solutions of the future that will support thriving economies and healthy communities.

We are driven by our values; we value our people, we do work that matters, we keep it real, we know that our work has impact, and we are future focussed. Staying true to our values ensures that we consistently deliver positive outcomes for all South Australians.

About the job  

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Engineer – Dams to provide technical leadership and governance across all dam-related engineering activities. This is a critical role responsible for ensuring the safety, integrity, and performance of SA Water’s dam infrastructure through industry-leading design, investigation, assurance, and innovation.

As the company’s Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) for dams engineering, you will lead high‑level technical investigations and designs, oversee dam safety reviews and upgrades, and shape standards and practices that ensure compliance with ANCOLD requirements and best‑practice asset lifecycle management.

About the Person

You are a senior dams engineering specialist with strong ANCOLD expertise or international equivalent and a proven commitment to safety, quality, and technical governance. You provide trusted advice on complex dam infrastructure and collaborate effectively to deliver safe, fit‑for‑purpose outcomes.

 Additional responsibilities include:

• Champion a safety‑first culture by embedding WHS obligations and Safety in Design (SiD) principles across the full dam asset lifecycle, ensuring risks are eliminated or minimised so far as is reasonably practicable (SFAIRP).
• Provide Dams Engineering Technical Leadership by acting as the Corporation’s Subject Matter Specialist for dams engineering, providing expert technical leadership and governance across concrete and earth dam investigations, designs, and reviews.
• Lead and govern dam safety reviews and upgrade programs in accordance with ANCOLD requirements, ensuring safe, compliant, and successful outcomes.
• Strengthen dams engineering capability through mentoring, knowledge sharing, and technical leadership, working closely with Engineering Management and multidisciplinary teams.
• Provide timely, accurate, and practical technical advice and documentation, identify value‑add opportunities, and support effective resourcing to meet customer and project needs.
• Review, develop, and maintain dams‑related technical standards and guidelines to ensure fit‑for‑purpose, cost‑effective, and best‑for‑business engineering outcomes.
• Promote Innovation and Industry Best Practice by staying current with industry developments, assess emerging technologies, and engage with the market to continuously improve dams engineering practices and standards.

Your success in this role will come from: 

• A tertiary qualification in Dams, Civil, or Geotechnical Engineering.
• Detailed knowledge of dams engineering procedures and practices within the water industry, with recognised capability as a Subject Matter Specialist in large engineering organisations.
• Proven experience delivering investigations, options, concept, and detailed designs for dam infrastructure, including both concrete and earth dams, at a high professional level.
• Demonstrated experience auditing and reviewing dam designs prepared by others to ensure safety, compliance, and quality outcomes.
• Extensive practical experience applying ANCOLD guidelines and managing risk across dam safety and upgrade projects.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex, critical, and novel engineering investigations and designs within the dams discipline.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and maintaining technical and infrastructure standards to support consistent, fit‑for‑purpose engineering outcomes.

Further information can be found in the attached PD – Principal Engineer Dams - PD.docx

To apply, click 'Apply'. Please submit and complete the application form, upload a cover letter and current resume, by 5:00PM 17th of April. For enquiries, please contact Gregg Forte from the Talent Acquisition team on Gregg.forte@sawater.com.au

A great customer experience is best achieved by having a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the community we serve. Applications are encouraged from everyone, including people living with disability, job seekers of all ages, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. 

International candidates with relevant experience and qualifications are welcome to apply and will be considered.

Our Industry is like no other. Dive into the wonderful world of water and explore the boundless opportunities. Learn more about the water industry at careersinwater.com.au

Please note: We request that recruitment agencies do not submit candidates for this position, as they will not be accepted.