About This Opportunity

The Principal Engineer plays a pivotal role in optimising the performance of UQ’s extensive building portfolio, comprising more than 600 facilities across multiple campuses. Reporting to the Building Services Lead within the Infrastructure & Sustainability team, this position focuses on improving operational performance, reducing energy consumption, and supporting the delivery of sustainable, high-performing buildings.

Working client-side within one of Queensland’s most diverse property portfolios, you will apply your engineering expertise to move energy reduction initiatives from concept through to implementation. The role will also contribute to UQ’s early trials and adoption of Operational AI systems to enhance building efficiency, performance, and long-term sustainability outcomes.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading building performance optimisation initiatives across UQ’s existing portfolio and new developments
• Undertaking detailed analysis of energy, metering, controls and system data to identify, scope and implement improvement projects aligned to UQ’s 2030 energy reduction targets
• Providing subject matter expertise across project lifecycles, including technical review, field investigations, business case analysis and quality assurance
• Supporting the implementation of Operational AI systems and working closely with internal teams and external consultants to deliver measurable performance improvements
• Liaising with UQs internal engineering teams to support their discipline specific building optimisation goals.
• Assisting in the governance of UQ’s Technical and Quality Assurance processes and ensuring high quality technical outcomes for building services projects.
• Assists with developing guidelines and other documentation on technical operations, specifications, projects or programs
• Executes project management plans for small, localised projects, including procurement processes and stakeholder management

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave
• 17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading
• Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight
• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
• Career development opportunities – access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program
• On campus childcare options
• Affordable parking (from just $6.40 a day)
• Salary packaging options

About You

• A degree in Engineering or Science with at least four years’ experience in Building Services, Building Sustainability, or a related discipline
• Demonstrated experience in building systems optimisation, energy management, controls or HVAC performance (experience in optimisation of existing systems highly regarded)
• Advanced capability in data and spreadsheet analysis, including development of forecasting models and reporting tools
• Strong understanding of building services principles, technical compliance requirements and whole-of-life asset performance
• Sound project management skills with the ability to independently scope, prioritise and deliver technical initiatives
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders across varying technical backgrounds

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications and criminal history checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.