Engineering Recruitment – Market Commentary – July 2025
Whilst we’d like to be saying otherwise, there still hasn’t been a meaningful lift in demand for engineers across Australia. On the bright side, conditions have not deteriorated in recent times, and if anything we’ve noticed a slight uptick in demand in the past month – both for permanent employees and contractors. Industrial companies are still very concerned about the price and availability of energy and so we’re hosting an upcoming event in Melbourne, “Energy Sustainability for Industrial Companies in 2025” – aimed at leaders of industrial companies. Reach out via email if you’re interested in attending to enquiries@australiawide.com.au The speaker is Andrew Nagarajah, Sustainability Leader at AG Coombs.
Engineering & Manufacturing Operations
Although the market still remains a little soft, there does appear to be a slight increase in recruitment activity in manufacturing and engineering roles across all states. The one exception to this rule is estimating, where there seems to be an increased requirement for Estimators across a variety of sectors, although the construction industry appears to be leading the way.
Jobs are being filled at a moderate rate, and roles appear to be quite varied at the moment – Engineering Reliability Manager, Plant Manager, Design Engineer, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Estimator, Architectural Draftsperson and a Technical Sales Representative. Overseas candidates tend to dominate applications, although there also appears to be an increase in local applicants also.
Building & Mechanical Services and Data Centres
Recruitment activity is on the quieter side within the building & mechanical services sector presently. Some companies are waiting for major contracts to be awarded and when that happens, there should be some movement. In the meantime, we’re finding potential candidates relatively settled in their current roles, but often open to a career conversation.
Building Services Engineers are very well placed to move into the booming data centre sector and we believe demand will accelerate from current levels as more projects gain approval.
We are actively hiring Building Services Electrical Engineers (WA), Mining and Materials Processing Electrical Engineers (WA), and HVAC Estimators (Sydney), alongside Building Services Engineers, Contract Managers, Mechanical and Electrical Graduates, and Project Managers across VIC, NSW, ACT and QLD. These opportunities offer increased salary, improved terms, and enhanced benefits.
Technology
Moving into the 2nd half of 2025, renewable energy, the defence industry, advanced manufacturing, mining, IoT & connectivity and R&D continue to be the key drivers in technology hiring. If you are a candidate seeking employment, the skills that make you particularly competitive in the Australian job market are:
- Hardware-Software Co-design: The ability to understand and work across both hardware and software domains.
- AI/Machine Learning Integration: Understanding how to incorporate AI/ML into electronic systems.
- Cybersecurity for Hardware: Knowledge of securing embedded systems and hardware.
- Problem-solving and Analytical Skills: Highly valued in complex engineering environments.
- Communication and Teamwork: Essential for project collaboration.
- Project Management: Especially for more senior roles overseeing development cycles.
If you are an employer seeking new talent to augment or replace outgoing members of your team, we are currently working with engineers who are not actively seeking new roles but who are interested in discussing interesting roles which they “best match” and may be open to changing roles for this match. It may be of benefit in your search to reach out to us to discuss your particular needs and discuss who may be available for your specific role.
Resources
Strong demand continues across resources & renewables, particularly in Western Australia.
Key roles in demand include:
- Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Civil and Structural Engineers
- Project Engineers / Managers
- Senior Civil Estimators
- Design & Drafting professionals (structural, piping, electrical)
- Reliability, Maintenance and Systems Engineers
With major investment flowing into renewable energy, mining expansions, decarbonisation projects and resources transport infrastructure, demand is outpacing supply, particularly for experienced mid to senior engineers in specialised areas.
Top engineers are prioritising roles that offer not only the right money and technical fit, but also long term career opportunity and cultural alignment.
