Principal Signal Engineer

You’ll connect Queensland. We’ll connect you to an amazing career.

Our team of over 7,500 and our customers are central to everything we do, we have a proud history as a safe and reliable railway operator, with a commitment to ensuring that our operating systems reflect the highest standards.  Queensland Rail inspires innovative thought, passionate motivation, teamwork, and forward thinking, where our people can achieve their own career aspirations.

Why Queensland Rail?

We will provide you with an exciting and diverse career opportunity to join a company that continues to strive in the delivery of a modern and world-class railway provider, you will be able to lead and apply your innovative thoughts to enhance our rail network.  For this role we also offer: 

• Highly competitive salary plus a generous superannuation contribution
• Collaborative and engaged work place and team environment
• Genuine work life balance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing employees with holistic and contemporary health and wellbeing programs.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities

About the Role

Queensland Rail is seeking a Principal Signal Engineer to join our ETCS Major Projects team based in Brisbane CBD on a fixed-term contract until September 2030, with a strong possibility of extension.

In this key role, you will provide expert signalling engineering advice and design leadership to support the delivery of major rail infrastructure projects across Queensland. Leveraging your expertise in signalling design, standards and assurance processes, you will contribute to the successful implementation of ETCS Level 2 technology and help drive safe, reliable and innovative outcomes for Queensland Rail's network.

Purpose That Counts – Some of the responsibilities of the role:

• Lead and develop project-based engineering teams to deliver safe, effective and commercially focused signalling solutions across Queensland Rail.
• Provide expert signalling engineering advice and technical leadership to ensure projects are delivered to scope, budget, quality and safety requirements while achieving key performance objectives.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and apply your negotiation, influencing and communication skills to drive positive project outcomes and maximise value for Queensland Rail.
• Champion innovation, continuous improvement and engineering excellence while ensuring compliance with professional engineering standards, quality management requirements and relevant safety, operational and environmental legislation

People Who Count - What you can bring to the role:

• Demonstrated high-level expertise in signalling trackside and principles design, including independent checking and approval of signalling designs and associated PBI data.
• Proven experience in the design and delivery of ETCS Level 2 signalling solutions within a complex rail environment.
• Current Queensland Rail Signal Design Engineer Level 2 accreditation is mandatory, with Queensland Rail ETCS Design Engineer Level 2 accreditation highly regarded.
• Current RPEQ registration (or eligibility to obtain) is essential.
• Knowledge of signalling testing and commissioning principles will be highly regarded.
• Strong capability to lead and develop engineering teams, build stakeholder relationships and deliver commercially focused outcomes in a complex, regulated environment.
• Experience driving innovation, continuous improvement and engineering excellence while ensuring compliance with relevant safety, environmental and engineering standards.

Progress that Counts 

Joining Queensland Rail means being part of an exciting future where you'll welcome millions of international passengers for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our Cross River Rail project will transform travel across the South East Queensland network, doubling passenger journeys to 80 million over the next decade.  

To support this growth and enhance customer experiences, we're committed to key initiatives, including the new WAVE Sunshine Coast project along with Beerburrum to Nambour upgrade, building three new Gold Coastline stations, implementing the $5.75 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project, introducing 65 new Next Generation Rolling Stock trains, improving station accessibility at eight main stations, boosting North Coast Line capacity and upgrading Central Station. 

Your journey matters. Make it with us. 

 
There has never been a more exciting time to join Queensland Rail. We offer boundless opportunities to support your career today and for your future. 
 

Apply via our website by clicking the apply button before 11.59pm Wednesday the 4th of November 2026. To read the position description click HERE
 
Applicants for roles at Queensland Rail may undergo pre-employment alcohol and drug testing if they advance in the recruitment process. The selection process may include psychometric assessments, pre-employment health checks and background screenings, which could involve criminal history and credit checks.  

To learn more about this career opportunity, please contact Liam McKeown via email at liam.mckeown@qr.com.au  

We’re a team of thousands and we’re proud of our individual journeys and stories. And as we grow, we need more diverse backgrounds and perspectives than ever before. We are committed to facilitating a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.