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A globally connected workforce of specialists, operating out of more
than 40 countries

From the early pioneers on the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme, to our leaders and innovators of today, our people make us who we are.

We align specialist expertise to deliver effective, practical and sustainable outcomes

Through our network of global specialists and by collaborating with local partners, we connect you with the best teams and capabilities to deliver highly innovative and sustainable solutions.

We're committed to positively impact the individuals and communities we work with

As an organisation we are continually evaluating ways we can better provide a safe, flexible, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people and clients.

Join an inclusive workplace rich in diverse thinking

People are at the heart of our organisation, we strive to create a flexible, diverse and inclusive environment that enables our people to thrive to their fullest potential.

Explore career opportunities
Asia
Azerbaijan Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Georgia Hong Kong India Indonesia Kazakhstan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Macau Malaysia Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Pakistan Philippines Qatar Singapore Sri Lanka Tajikistan Timor-Leste Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam
Africa
Angola Botswana Ethiopia Ghana Kenya Lesotho Liberia Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Nigeria Rwanda Seychelles Sierra Leone South Africa South Sudan Swaziland Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
Australasia
Australia Fiji Kiribati New Zealand Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Vanuatu
South America
Chile
SPA ENG
North America Mexico
Global
About

SMEC's
origins
date
back
over
70
years
to
the
iconic
Snowy
Mountains
Hydroelectric
Scheme

SMEC has its origins in the iconic Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme, recognised as one of the civil engineering wonders of the modern world.

 

The scheme was a multi-purpose project undertaken between 1949 and 1974. The project brought together over 100,000 workers from 30 countries who constructed 16 major dams, seven power stations, one pumping station, 145 km of tunnels, 80 km of aqueducts and 2,000 km of roads.

 

The innovation, resilience and achievements of these early pioneers form the core of our organisation. Together with our clients and partners, we continue to engineer and design solutions that help to move and connect people, provide access to essential resources and build more sustainable communities around the world.

1949-1974

Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme

 

Construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme commenced on 17 October 1949, with the Governor-General, Sir William McKell, Prime Minister Ben Chifley and William Hudson firing the first blast at Adaminaby. Heralded as Australia’s largest infrastructure project, the A$820 million multi-purpose project involved hydropower, roads and bridges.

Learn more

1960

Sharing our expertise

 

In 1960, the department of foreign affairs requested that snowy mountains authority (SMA) provide technical assistance for Australian aid projects in Australia and overseas.

1967

A wonder of the modern world

 

The Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme is one of the most complex integrated water and hydroelectric power schemes in the world. In 1967, The American Society of Civil Engineers rated the scheme as one of the seven civil engineering wonders of the modern world.

June
24,
1970

Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation (SMEC) was established

 

SMEC expanded internationally by opening offices in Dhaka, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur alongside new Australian offices in Canberra and Sydney. SMEC Malaysia was incorporated in 1991.

 

International projects included geological investigations along the Mekong River, road construction in northern Thailand and hydropower developments in Cambodia and Malaysia.

1980
-
1995

Continued global expansion

 

During the 1980s, new projects were undertaken in a further 20 countries including: China, Egypt, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia. Offices were opened in Almaty, Delhi, Hong Kong, Lahore and Manila.

 

SMEC was sold to employees as part of a government asset sale in 1993.

2000
-
2012

The new Millenium

 

SMEC’s growth continued with a number of acquisitions to complement its existing profile including: Brisbane City Enterprises (2005), EGC Pakistan (2007), Dare Sutton Clark (2008), CEIS Pakistan (2009), Lean and Hayward (2011), GMC Global (2012) and Vela VKE (2012).

2016

SMEC joins Surbana Jurong

 

As a member of the Surbana Jurong Group we have strengthened our technical functions and service offerings to offer an enhanced lifecycle of services in the urban, industrial and infrastructure space.

 

Our new partnership provides a talent pool of 13,000 dedicated people working across a network of 110 offices in 40 countries throughout Asia, Australasia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.

Surbana Jurong Group

2016-2022

Redefining exceptional

 

Along with parent company the SJ Group, 2016-2022 was a period of significant growth and development for SMEC. Spanning 40+ countries and with the specialist expertise of over 5,000 employees, SMEC continued to deliver complex major projects, world-class technical excellence and advanced engineering solutions. As part of the SJ Group, SMEC is able to leverage the capabilities of our parent and sister companies to operate flexibly and effectively in local and global markets. We have access to global network of design and engineering expertise, with 16,000 colleagues across 10 multi-disciplinary brands including architects, designers, planners, engineers and other specialists.

2024

Engineering positive change

 

SMEC simplifies the complex. We unlock the potential of our people to look at infrastructure differently, creating better outcomes for the future.


We are committed to positively impact the people, the environment and the clients and communities we serve. Through our network of global specialists, our teams draw on deep expertise and systems thinking to simplify the complex and deliver integrated engineering solutions across a range of diverse environments. Working together as a part of the SJ Group, we deliver advanced infrastructure, urban and energy solutions as a trusted partner for our clients and communities.


We’re engineering positive change.






Katse Dam

Ready
to
connect?

Discover how SMEC can enhance the delivery of your next project.