Lead Water Engineer / Design Manager

About the role

We are expanding our water portfolio in Wellington and Auckland and need an experienced water engineer to lead design delivery of three‑waters projects. The role sits within a technically strong Land & Water team delivering growth‑related and renewal projects for a variety of clients.

Key responsibilities

• Lead design delivery for three‑waters capital projects, including network renewals, resilience upgrades, pump stations, pipelines, storage assets and treatment‑related infrastructure.
• Own the concept‑to‑detail design process, integrating civil, hydraulic, structural, geotechnical, mechanical and electrical inputs.
• Be accountable for design scope, programme, quality and technical risk through to construction handover.
• Coordinate multi‑disciplinary teams, resolve interfaces and set standards for high‑quality, practical design.
• Act as a trusted technical partner to water clients, leading workshops, optioneering and reviews.
• Produce clear design documentation: management plans, reports, drawings, specifications, risk and safety‑in‑design outputs.

Required profile

• 10–15 years delivering water infrastructure projects with leadership of design delivery and multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Strong background in the water sector, familiar with council or utility clients in New Zealand or comparable markets.
• Deep technical capability in civil and hydraulic design, able to integrate and challenge structural, geotechnical, mechanical and electrical inputs.
• Proven ability to own design scope, programme, quality and technical risk from concept to handover, especially in brownfield or operational environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (or equivalent), CPEng (or working towards).

Required skills

• Autodesk Construction Cloud
• Civil 3D
• MS 365 (including Copilot)

What we offer

• Opportunity to lead high‑impact water projects across Wellington and Auckland.
• Collaborative, inclusive culture where your voice is heard.