LEAD STRUCTURAL ENGINEER (INDUSTRIAL/BUILDINGS)

Location: Adelaide SA
Discipline: Civil/Structural Engineering
Type: Full-time, Permanent

ABOUT MLEI

MLEI Consulting Engineers is a national engineering consultancy with offices in Adelaide, Melbourne, Darwin, Gold Coast, and Newcastle. Our core business focuses on civil and structural engineering projects, while also offering niche services in bridges, aquatic, sports and recreation, and winery processing.

As an employee-owned company, we pride ourselves on developing our staff, delivering high-quality projects, and having a positive impact on the community. These values are reflected in our company principles:

Developing People
Trusted Expertise
Shaping Communities.

We believe that an inclusive and collaborative working culture across all our offices creates a fantastic workplace for all staff to develop and enjoy what they do each day.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are currently seeking an experienced Lead Structural Engineer (Industrial/Buildings) to join our team, with a primary focus on industrial and non-architectural infrastructure projects. This is a client-facing leadership role, requiring strong technical acumen and the ability to manage internal teams and external stakeholders across multiple disciplines.

As a key technical lead, you will take ownership of the civil and structural scope of projects, while also coordinating with other engineering disciplines and subcontractors to ensure seamless project delivery. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead complex, high-impact industrial projects and contribute to business growth through technical excellence and strong client relationships.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Working within the Structural Team, as a Lead Structural Engineer, you would be expected to:

Lead the structural engineering design and delivery for industrial facilities, including heavy industrial, process, and utility infrastructure.
Serve as the primary client interface for structural and civil matters, ensuring clear communication, alignment of expectations, and consistent delivery.
Manage internal coordination of civil and structural disciplines, and as needed, oversee engagement and integration of other disciplines and subcontractors.
Assist clients in scope development, feasibility considerations, and preparation of technical content for proposals and bid documentation.
Track and manage project proposals, design progress, and forecast team workload to the Structural Manager to support resourcing and delivery planning.
Track and maintain project financials and budgets, ensuring alignment with agreed scopes and commercial expectations.
Drive the project lifecycle from concept through to detailed design and construction support, ensuring outcomes are safe, cost-effective, and compliant.
Provide technical oversight, peer reviews, and mentoring to engineers and drafters within the team.
Lead design reviews, risk assessments, and constructability evaluations.
Deliver detailed technical documentation and client reports to a high standard.
Contribute to project planning, resource allocation, budgeting, and performance tracking.
Support the preparation of bids, fee proposals, and participation in business development activities.
Ensure design outcomes are practical, buildable, and meet the operational requirements of industrial clients.

REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Structural or Civil Engineering.
Chartered Engineer status (CPEng or equivalent) is essential.
Minimum 8+ years of relevant experience with a strong background in industrial infrastructure and structural design leadership.
Proven experience working directly with clients and managing multidisciplinary coordination.
Experience with the delivery of non-architectural structures including infrastructure works, bulk material handling systems, process buildings, equipment platforms, and utility support structures for asset owners and operators. Familiarity with building project delivery methodologies and design principles is also considered advantageous.
Proficient in structural design and analysis software, including SpaceGass, IDEA StatiCa, ETABS, Inducta suite (SLABS, RCB), RAPT, and Structural Toolkit.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence in presenting and engaging with clients.
Strong understanding of relevant Australian Standards, codes, and industrial design practices.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and maintain a focus on quality and efficiency.

WHAT WE OFFER

A leadership opportunity on major industrial projects for prominent clients.
A diverse work portfolio with projects located nationwide across a range of industrial sectors.
A collaborative environment with the autonomy to shape project outcomes.
Competitive salary and benefits, including ongoing professional development.
A workplace culture centered on our ethos of Trusted Expertise, Developing People, and Shaping Communities.
Access to technically challenging and career-defining work across the infrastructure sector.

HOW TO APPLY

Send your CV through to recruitment@mlei.com.au with Lead Structural Engineer, Industrial/Buildings (Adelaide) in the subject line.
Please also include an answer the question what best describes your working rights in Australia?

17 July 2025
Careers, Civil, Jobs, News, SA

AMIR MIA
Lead Structural Engineer

Master of Engineering (Civil & Structural) with Applied Project Management electives
Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng)
Fellow Institute of Engineering Australia (FIEAust)
Certified Project Management Professional, PMP
Primavera Project Management
Certified Builder and Registered Supervisor, South Australia
Small Business Finance Management in the Building & Construction Industry, Master Builders Association
ISO9001 certified Internal Auditor

Amir is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Certified Project Management Professional with 21 years of experience in structural design, design management, business development, construction, quality, and project management across Australia and the Middle East. His expertise spans high-rise towers, commercial, residential, public buildings, and infrastructure projects, with a strong focus on aligning projects with organisational goals from inception to completion. He has led and mentored teams, managed stakeholder relationships, and ensured efficient, robust structural designs that meet international standards such as Australian Standards, NCC, ACI, and IBC.

Amir has successfully delivered major projects, including the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide Convention Centre, and Modbury Hospital in Australia, as well as the Palm Jumeirah Project, Capital City, and Al Mariyah Tower in the Middle East. He has extensive experience in interdisciplinary coordination (MEP, Structural, Civil, and Architectural), ensuring seamless project execution from concept through construction. With expertise in geotechnical and structural design, construction supervision, and safety in design (SiD), he is committed to delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions while maintaining project timelines and budgets.

In addition to his technical expertise, Amir has a strong background in business development, including preparing fee proposals, bidding, and client relations. He has a solid understanding of coastal engineering, having studied wave dynamics, sediment transport, and harbour design as part of his Masters program. His problem-solving skills, leadership in mega-projects, and commitment to safety and stakeholder satisfaction make him a highly valuable professional in the structural engineering and construction industry.

JEFF WEBSTER
Principal Structural Designer

Jeff is a highly skilled multidiscipline design drafter with over 21 years of experience across diverse industry sectors. His project portfolio ranges from complex, large-scale initiatives such as the $1.85B New Royal Adelaide Hospital to the Singapore Formula 1 Night Race Circuit and Event Design. These large-scale initiatives highlight Jeff’s ability to manage complex design requirements while maintaining a sharp focus on detail. His work has consistently demonstrated his commitment to precision and his collaborative approach, allowing him to effectively coordinate with clients, consultants, and contractors to deliver successful outcomes.

Jeff's extensive practical experience and deep technical expertise positions him as a highly regarded professional in his field, demonstrating a level of skill and proficiency that exceeds formal qualifications.

One of Jeff's core strengths lies in his proficiency with industry-standard design software, including AutoCAD, Rhino 3D, and Revit. His experience with BIM 3D modelling has been particularly valuable in managing large-scale projects, and he has used Autodesk Revit Structure extensively from 2010 through to 2014. Jeff is experienced in both stand-alone and work set environments, working seamlessly alongside other disciplines such as Revit Architecture and MEP. His technical expertise also extends to specialised software, including Prosteel and AutoPlant, further enhancing his ability to handle complex multidisciplinary projects.

In addition to his technical abilities, Jeff has significant leadership experience from his tenure as Operations Manager at JPS Lifts from 2014 to 2017, where he was responsible for product design and improvement, as well as managing business development initiatives. Jeff also oversaw recruitment and team management, honing his ability to lead diverse teams and ensure the smooth execution of design projects. His blend of technical proficiency and leadership experience makes him a well-rounded professional capable of tackling both design and operational challenges.

Jeff consistently demonstrates the unique capability to blend technical expertise with effective team collaboration and management – he has an unwavering commitment to deliver quality results, making him a valuable asset in the design and drafting field.

WINGFIELD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE MASTERPLAN

LOCATION Wingfield, SA
CLIENT Fife Capital
DESCRIPTION Industrial estate development
PROJECT PERIOD 2022-Present

MLEI undertook the civil and structural design this industrial estate development. Our scope included:
• Civil design
- stormwater strategy for obtaining approval
- external roadways, hardstands, and buildings
- stormwater drainage
• Structural design
- new warehouses and workshop building.

We participated all phases of the project:
• Stages 1 & 2: Estate Master Planning & Planning Consent – cooperated to develop master plan, attended meetings, made design presentations to client, liaised with Building Surveyor & authorities
• Stage 3: Tendering – provided design documentation and input into tender documentation, answered queries, provided technical advice, assisted with selection, participated in tender assessment & interviews
• Stage 4: Design Development – participated in ongoing design & incorporated improvements, prepared plans & sketch details, participated in Value Management, attended meetings, liaised with consultants
• Stage 5 Construction Documentation – monitored design programs, attended meetings, made regular design presentations to Client, submitted monthly progress reports, developed drawings to show detailed & dimensioned constructional requirements, prepared specification, located & coordinated locations of downpipes and interfaced with architect & civil consultants, liaised with Building Surveyor and authorities, prepared documents for Building Rules Consent.
• Stage 6 Construction Phase – attended meetings, responded to queries, provided technical assistance, reviewed shop drawings, liaised with D&C Contractor, issued site sketches, reviewed material samples, observed onsite construction, visited factory, progressively listed incomplete or defective work and & issued defects reports, semi-final & final defects observations prior to issue of Certificate of Practical Completion, reviewed relevant test results & advised on construction techniques, regularly updated "For Construction" documentation, prepared updated set of “As Built” at Practical Completion.
• Stage 7 Defect, Liability Phase – reobserved works, certified completed defects, undertook final inspection for defects and liability after 12 months.