Graduate Project Engineer
About the role
Portal Contractors is offering a graduate civil engineer position based on our active earthworks and bulk excavation sites. You will work directly under the Project Manager and senior site staff, learning the practical side of construction while applying your engineering knowledge to real projects. This is a hands-on role — you'll spend a good amount of time on site and in the office.
The role is structured for someone in their first 1–2 years out of a Civil Engineering degree. We invest in our grads — you will get exposure across the full earthworks process from set-out through to handover, and be coached on how to read drawings, manage subcontractors, and run projects yourself.
Qualifications & Tickets
Required
Bachelor of Civil Engineering (or final-year equivalent).
White Card (Construction Induction).
Current driver's licence and own reliable transport to site.
Key Duties
Set-Out, Levels & QA
Daily set-out and level checks on excavations — bulk dig, detail excavation, pile cap and footing locations.
Confirm RLs on subgrade, blinding and footings against the engineering drawings before pour.
Photo and document every footing prior to blinding — depth, dimensions, bearing material confirmation.
Prepare and run Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs) for each phase — sign off, photo, file.
Attend and witness geotechnical inspections; chase the geo engineer for written confirmation each time.
Drawing & Document Control
Read and interpret architectural, structural and civil drawings — call out any clashes or discrepancies early.
Maintain the latest revisions on site — flag superseded sheets and remove from circulation.
Raise Requests for Information (RFIs) when something on the drawings doesn't make sense — track to closure.
Track design changes / variations and notify the PM.
Subcontractor & Crew Coordination
Daily coordination with excavator operators, formworkers, steel fixers, concreters.
Run pre-start briefings — sequence for the day, hold points, who needs what.
Quality-check sub work against drawings and specifications before sign-off.
Direct minor on-site decisions independently; escalate anything programme- or budget-affecting to the PM.
Concrete Pours
Supervise concrete pours — confirm mix, slump test, take cylinders, log truck dockets.
Witness reo prior to pour — cover, bar size, spacing, lap lengths to drawings.
Confirm formwork condition, props, edge protection before authorising pour.
Document pour in site diary — volume poured, weather, crew, any issues, finish time.
Pay: $65,000.00 – $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Company car
Ability to commute/relocate:
Williamstown VIC: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Education:
Bachelor Degree (Hons) (Preferred)
Work Authorisation:
Australia (Required)
Work Location: In person
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