Structural Engineering Jobs at the Henderson

Western Australia boasts an extensive marine engineering footprint spanning offshore oil and gas platforms, port facilities naval shipyards, desalination intakes and coastal protection. Several engineering companies are heavily involved across design, asset management and construction phases.

At the heart of is the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) in Henderson, a major hub for marine fabrication, ship repair and load‑out operations. Structural engineers here support heavy‑lift facilities, floating docks and deep‑water infrastructure – and soon to call Henderson home, the AKUS submarine program. These established capabilities are already being put to work across several major infrastructure and marine projects currently underway, including:

1. Cape Lambert Marine Integrity Agreement What it is: A 5‑year structural integrity contract between Monadelphous and Rio Tinto in the Pilbara. Scope: Ongoing maintenance and upgrades to jetty and port structures—critical for bulk‑export resilience. Scale: Part of $180 million in statewide marine/energy construction contracts
	2. Westport Project – Kwinana Port Upgrade Objective: Develop a new deep‑water container port near Kwinana, shifting freight capacities from Fremantle. Engineering scope: Breakwater, channel excavation, wharves, rail duplication, and sustainable features like seagrass restoration. Phase: Stage 4 – detailed design and environmental approval, with construction set to begin once clearances are granted
3. Australian Marine Complex Enhancements Focus: Structural upgrades for fabrication halls, vessel docks, and heavy loadout corridors. Purpose: To support offshore module builds (oil & gas, defence), ship repairs, and future AUKUS submarine tasks
	4. Henderson Shipyard for AUKUS Submarine Support Investment: A$127 million in initial upgrades, with multi-billion-dollar investment over two decades. Goal: Prepare Henderson as the maintenance hub for nuclear AUKUS submarines and build new vessels. Impact: ~10,000 jobs, expanded dock capacity, and deeper berths
5. CoastWA – Coastal Protection Grants Funded by: Western Australian State Government. Allocation: Over A$3 million for shoreline and jetty structural repairs in regional areas. Goal: Strengthen ageing jetties and seawalls to protect local communities.

Other marine projects worth a mention, include:

Inner Harbour Pontoon Design: ONA Consultants worked on early-stage gangway/pontoon feasibility, providing weight and stability assessments.
Alkimos Seawater Desalination Intake: Though not marine platforms, its massive steel pipe network and intake legs involve key marine structural work.

If you’d like to know more about the structural engineering job market or what’s happening at Henderson Marine Complex, get in touch with our team or explore current job opportunities.