Principal Design Manager, Water

Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

What if you could help shape the future of water for communities across Australia?

At WSP, we're delivering some of the most significant water infrastructure projects in the country—helping our clients tackle population growth, climate resilience, asset renewal, and the transition to sustainable water solutions.

As a Principal Design Manager, you will play a pivotal leadership role in the successful delivery of major water projects across the full project lifecycle. From complex treatment plants and pump stations through to water and wastewater networks, you'll provide strategic leadership that brings together multidisciplinary teams to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients and communities.

This is an opportunity to work on some of Australia's most challenging and high-profile water projects while collaborating with recognised industry leaders across our national Water team and global WSP network.

What You'll Do

As a senior leader within our Water business, you will provide project and design leadership across major water infrastructure programs, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards of quality.

You will:

• Lead the delivery of large, complex water infrastructure projects from concept through to commissioning.
• Provide leadership across multidisciplinary design teams, construction interfaces, project controls, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Build trusted relationships with water authorities, government agencies, contractors, regulators, and key delivery partners.
• Oversee project governance, commercial management, risk mitigation, and delivery performance across major projects and programs.
• Drive collaboration across technical disciplines to ensure innovative, practical, and client-focused solutions.
• Mentor and develop project managers, design managers, and technical leaders across the Water team.
• Contribute to strategic pursuits and major project opportunities, helping shape how WSP delivers future water infrastructure across Australia.

 

This role is ideally based in Brisbane, however we welcome applications from candidates based on the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast.

About You

You are a respected leader with extensive experience delivering complex infrastructure projects within the water sector. You thrive in collaborative environments, can confidently navigate challenging project environments, and are passionate about delivering infrastructure that creates lasting value for communities.

You will bring:

• 15+ years' experience delivering major infrastructure projects, ideally within the water industry.
• Strong experience across water and wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, pipelines, conveyance systems, and network infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated success leading large multidisciplinary teams through complex design and delivery challenges.
• Strong commercial acumen, including experience managing project budgets, contractual arrangements, risk, and program performance.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and build trust at all levels.
• Experience working within collaborative delivery models, including Design & Construct, Alliance, PPP, or Program Delivery environments.
• Tertiary qualifications in Civil, Mechanical, Process, Environmental Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Chartered status or equivalent professional accreditation.

 

 

Why Join Our Water Team?

Water is one of WSP Australia's strongest and fastest-growing sectors. Our team partners with major water authorities, utilities, and government organisations to deliver projects that improve water security, enhance environmental outcomes, and support thriving communities.

When you join WSP, you'll gain access to:

• Some of Australia's most significant water infrastructure projects.
• A highly respected national Water business with deep technical expertise.
• Global collaboration opportunities through WSP's international water network.
• Flexible working arrangements that support work-life balance.
• Professional development and leadership pathways tailored to your career aspirations.
• A culture that values innovation, inclusion, wellbeing, and technical excellence.
• Employee benefits including our Share Purchase Plan and comprehensive wellbeing initiatives.

 

 

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

With us, you can. Apply today.

Join our Water Group in Queensland as a Principal Design Manager and be part of the team delivering the next generation of water infrastructure.