Chief Engineer

This is a rare executive opportunity to shape the technical future of a multi-modal network that connects people, communities, freight and places across NSW. 

The role is the organisation’s senior engineering authority, responsible for technical integrity, standards governance, engineering assurance and critical decisions that affect the safety, reliability, resilience and whole-of-life performance of transport assets.

In this role, you'll:

As Chief Engineer, you will provide executive-level technical leadership across Transport, serving as the organisation’s ultimate authority on complex engineering, asset and standards-related matters. You will shape engineering strategy, establish the vision for technical excellence, and ensure the safety, reliability and performance of critical transport assets across their full lifecycle.

You will work closely with senior executives, asset custodians, operators, delivery partners, regulators, industry bodies and government stakeholders to resolve complex technical issues and support sound investment, operational and asset management decisions.

Leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will:

•    Set the direction for enterprise technical authority, engineering standards and assurance across the Transport network.
•    Provide decisive executive advice on complex asset, engineering and operational issues.
•    Safeguard the condition, performance and integrity of critical transport assets across their lifecycle.
•    Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering workforce with deep technical capability.
•    Strengthen the way Transport applies standards, manages technical risk and supports asset custodians to make whole-of-life decisions.
•    Represent Transport with government, regulators, industry bodies and delivery partners on nationally significant technical matters.
•    Drive technical reform, capability uplift and continuous improvement across the engineering function.

This is a highly influential executive opportunity for a distinguished engineering leader with significant experience operating within complex infrastructure environments. While candidates from any transport mode are encouraged to apply, rail sector experience will be highly regarded given the organisation's rail safety obligations and operating environment.

For more information on this position and business unit, please view the role description and information pack. 

About you

You are a respected engineering executive with the credibility, judgement and strategic perspective to lead technical decision-making at enterprise scale. You combine deep engineering expertise with exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, enabling you to influence outcomes across government, industry and executive leadership forums.

You are comfortable making difficult decisions where safety, reliability, cost, customer outcomes, delivery constraints and long-term asset performance need to be balanced. You can translate technical issues for executive and government audiences, and you can build confidence with regulators, delivery partners and senior stakeholders.

You will bring:
•    Extensive executive leadership experience within complex engineering, infrastructure or operational environments.
•    Tertiary qualifications in Engineering and Professional Engineering registration.
•    A proven ability to establish technical strategy, standards and engineering governance frameworks.
•    Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, large portfolios and major investment programs.
•    Strong capability in navigating complex, politically and commercially sensitive issues.
•    Exceptional collaboration, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
•    The ability to evaluate competing technical viewpoints and make balanced, evidence-based decisions.
•    Experience driving organisational reform, change programs and strategic transformation initiatives.
•    Knowledge of transport asset management and operational systems across asset lifecycles.
•    Rail sector experience and the ability to operate within a rail safety environment will be highly regarded.

Who we are

Transport for NSW provides a safe, integrated, and efficient transport system. We connect people, communities and industry every day. 

Join us

Our workforce is as diverse as the community we serve. If you’d like further information on our inclusion and diversity initiatives, visit Transport careers.

Flexible work options may be available. Learn more via Flexible work options and policy  

Apply today 

Applications close 11:59 PM  Sunday, 19th of July 2026.

For more information about this role, please contact GARY.LAZZAROTTO2@TRANSPORT.NSW.GOV.AU.

Aboriginal people and people living with disability are supported throughout the recruitment process and at work, and we encourage you to apply. Visit Supporting Aboriginal People or Supporting People with Disability for more information or speak to your talent team member to arrange any adjustments to how you interact with us.

Learn more about how to apply via Our recruitment process | Transport for NSW 

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