Engineering Recruitment – Market Commentary – October 2025
After a very subdued 12 months of engineering recruitment activity across Australia, there have finally been some promising signs emerging over the past 3-4 weeks. SEEK job ad statistics are supporting this and show that there was a 1% lift in engineering roles advertised between August & September. This may not sound impressive but it follows a very dramatic 12-month drop in advertised engineering roles.
As a company, we’ve seen a lift in new incoming roles and, surprisingly, the sector with the biggest increase has been software engineering. Other sectors which are showing early positive signs are the mining supplier network, building/mechanical services & electrical engineering.
Observations by Sector
Engineering & Manufacturing Operations
Key industry indicators reflect a decline in both manufacturing and construction output, which is concurrently impacting sector-wide recruitment activities. Whilst current market confidence remains subdued, there is a discernible shift toward increased optimism about the future. This suggests that businesses and stakeholders are anticipating an improved outlook.
Areas of Ongoing Opportunity
Despite prevailing challenges, significant career opportunities persist, notably with several highly regarded global organisations. Consistent demand is observed for high-level operational roles within fabrication and manufacturing, specifically:
- Plant Managers
- Operations Managers
- Production Managers
Furthermore, Civil and Structural Engineering positions continue to surface with high frequency. There is also a continuous and pressing requirement for Service and Sales Engineers possessing robust technical expertise.
From a talent acquisition standpoint, the most reliable method for securing top-tier candidates remains targeted headhunting. Whilst we still regularly advertise for engineering roles, most of our success comes from searching amongst our networks. It’s also worth noting that high numbers of candidates are now using AI to match their resumes to job ads and this now requires a lot of screening to ensure that they in-fact have the skills they claim in their resume.
A critical ongoing challenge is a mismatch between candidate expectations and current compensation packages on offer. To effectively attract high-calibre talent, employers need to ensure that they’re offering market salaries for highly sought-after professionals.
Building & Mechanical Services and Data Centres
“Critical Infrastructure Drives Demand“
The market for Building and Mechanical Services professionals remains robust, driven almost exclusively by significant national infrastructure investment, particularly in the booming Data Centre sector. The need for specialised mechanical systems, such as advanced HVAC and cooling, is fuelling the demand for experienced operational talent. We are currently seeing high requirements for Mechanical Services Estimators and Contract Managers in NSW, professionals whose commercial and delivery expertise is essential to manage the high-value, complex projects characteristic of this market. Furthermore, the hiring of Graduates across Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT, and Queensland demonstrates a proactive, long-term commitment to replenishing the talent pipeline in this high-demand discipline. At the same time, there’s parallel growth in smart building technologies, where security, access control, and integrated audio-visual systems are increasingly critical components of modern commercial and data centre builds.
Based on recent conversations with clients, we’re expecting 2026 to be huge year for opportunities in the data centre sector, especially in Sydney & Melbourne. There will be especially high demand for Project Managers, Contract Managers, Critical Facilities Managers through to Mechanical & Electrical Technicians.
Technology
In a big turnaround, the Australian technology sector has moved to robust growth and accelerating demand for highly specialised engineers and architects, creating a competitive candidate-driven market. Roles focused on the ‘deep tech’ space are critically sought after, particularly Embedded Software Engineers whose expertise spans high-growth areas like encryption, intelligent lighting control, and wireless communications. This demand is further amplified by a significant need for Solution Architects, who bridge complex technical requirements and business strategy, a role experiencing strong projected job growth. Recruitment for a Power Electronics Engineer is highly strategic, directly supporting key national priorities in both EV Charging Infrastructure and Defence Applications. Similarly, the need for a Project Manager and Radio Test Engineer in Emergency Services Wireless Communications highlights a critical skills gap in mission-critical infrastructure. Companies recruiting in this specialised segment must offer compelling value propositions focused on project impact, cutting-edge technology, and clear career pathways to secure top talent.
Resources
This quarter, the WA Mining Conference & Expo and the IMARC Expo highlighted the industry’s focus on emerging technology, critical minerals, and sustainable mining practices. Decarbonisation is ramping up, and the political landscape, from regulatory approvals to defence infrastructure investment, is shaping project delivery.
As WA’s resources and defence sectors grow, demand for engineers, trades, and technical specialists who can work in tech-driven, sustainable, and site-based environments is increasing. Securing skilled, adaptable talent is now more critical than ever.
