Engineering, Operations, Safety & Technical Talent Insights Report

Hiring has slowed but pressure is rising

As inflation and cost-of-living pressures reshape business priorities, companies are streamlining headcount and focusing on hires that drive cost-efficiency—particularly through automation, Lean practices, and cross-functional capability.

Senior hiring may have slowed, but demand remains strong for operational roles—especially in maintenance, continuous improvement, and safety—where performance and compliance are business-critical.

Whether you're navigating a transformation, scaling delivery, or exploring your next career move, this market & talent insights report is built to inform your next step.

Based on thousands of conversations with clients and candidates, real-time placement data, and market activity across Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, the report offers a clear view of what’s driving workforce planning in 2025.

Understand the key drivers influencing the current job market

Gain insights into the most sought-after skills and roles in demand

Get detailed salary benchmarks to ensure you remain competitive

Discover opportunities to enhance your recruitment strategy

Engineering

The engineering market is shifting toward automation, with businesses increasingly investing in robotics, AGVs, and ERP systems. This transformation is driven by the need to reduce manual labour, improve efficiency, and futureproof operations amidst rising costs.

Operations

Operations hiring is centred on frontline and mid-level roles, with senior positions consolidated to manage costs. However, there’s strong demand for people-focused senior leaders who can drive cultural and process change.

Safety

New laws on psychosocial safety and industrial manslaughter are driving employers to strengthen their safety teams—building influence, improving compliance, and creating cultural change across operations and workforce environments.

Technical

Technical hiring is shifting as cost, compliance, and sustainability pressures grow. With NPD slowing, businesses are investing in renovation and expecting technical professionals to drive commercial outcomes through value engineering and improvement.

Contracting as a strategic solution across the industry

We have seen contracting become a vital part of workforce strategy in Engineering, Operations, Safety & Technical – which reflects the need for flexibility and speed in an uncertain environment.

As businesses navigate hiring freezes, project-based peaks, and increasingly complex transformation agendas, the ability to scale teams up or down at speed has never been more important.

"Contracting solves much more than just short-term resourcing challenges. When used at the right time and with the right talent, it allows businesses to stay agile, fill capability gaps fast, and build momentum - without compromising on quality or long-term outcomes."

Scott Logan
Manager | Engineering, Operations & Technical

A clear & compelling EVP

Businesses that are proactive about their employer brand, invest in their people, and adapt quickly to new expectations are the ones attracting the talent others struggle to reach.

Retaining top talent- especially in today’s climate - demands more than salary and surface-level perks. High-performing professionals are staying where they can see a pathway to growth, feel valued for their contribution, and trust the leadership to prioritise both wellbeing and progression.

A robust recruitment process

In a market where demand for the same talent is high, providing a positive experience during the recruitment and onboarding process is essential to maintaining a strong employer brand.

Partnering with a recruitment company can help as we have access to a large database of passive and active candidates and provide a single point of contact during the recruitment process.

Receive strategic advice on structure, roles & salaries

Remuneration pressures persist so understanding current salary benchmarks is essential for attracting and retaining top talent.

Our report includes detailed salary data across various roles within the Engineering, Operations, Technical and Safety functions.

Available contractors to meet
your needs

Contractors provide flexibility, reduce long-term commitment, and can be a strategic way to fill immediate gaps.

Many of our clients are embracing contractors as a strategic talent solution to flex up and down their teams for project-based work or to access in-demand skills.

Contact our Contracting team for more info.