 Before being appointed to the role, he was City Manager in the Department of the Interior, and had also worked in the National Capital Development Commission.As City Manager, he was responsible for daily administrative activities for Canberra and the ACT, including Jervis Bay; these activities included street collections, rates, building plans, consumer protection, bus services and welfare.In August 1977, Engledow was appointed permanent head of the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs.