3-Waters Technical Lead

Davis Ogilvie & Partners; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Health insurance

Work–life balance

Career progression

Job summary

Davis Ogilvie & Partners seeks a 3-Waters Technical Lead to join the Christchurch team to deliver high-quality water engineering services across the South Island. You will lead hydraulic design, support project delivery, and collaborate with clients, councils and contractors in multidisciplinary teams.

You will bring a minimum of five years’ experience, NZ standards knowledge, and strong communication skills while managing multiple projects and supporting other offices in a dynamic consulting

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of water engineering experience with NZ standards.
• Chartered Professional Engineer or working toward chartership.
• Experience with stormwater and water modelling software such as SSA, EPANET, or HEC-HMS.
• Strong English communication skills and ability to engage with clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead 3-waters infrastructure design including reticulated networks, pump stations, reservoirs, and stormwater strategies.
• Perform hydraulic design calculations using modelling software.
• Prepare technical reports, design documentation and assessments.
• Conduct construction administration and site observation.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated development solutions.
• Engage with clients, contractors and local authorities throughout delivery.

Skills

Water engineering

Client engagement

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil/water engineering

Tools

PCSWMM

EPANET

HEC-HMS

SSA

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Davis Ogilvie & Partners – Christchurch, South Island

Davis Ogilvie has a 90-year history of helping to develop communities throughout the South Island. Covering civil, geotechnical and structural engineering, land surveying, resource management and environmental science, Davis Ogilvie has built a strong reputation for collaborative, practical, and high-quality solutions for our clients.

We are seeking a 3-Waters Technical Lead to join our busy Christchurch team to play a key role in delivering Davis Ogilvie’s high-quality water engineering services across the South Island.

Who you are…

You are an enthusiastic and motivated water engineer who enjoys delivering practical infrastructure solutions and working closely with clients, contractors, and local authorities.

You thrive in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment and enjoy contributing to projects that range from small residential developments through to commercial sites and larger infrastructure projects.

You are confident managing your own workload and enjoy working in a dynamic, energetic consulting environment where initiative, technical capability, and strong communication skills are valued.

Your purpose…
You will play an important role in both the delivery of water engineering projects within our Christchurch office and playing a key support role to our other South Island offices. Working within a multidisciplinary team of civil, structural, geotechnical and environmental engineers, surveyors and planners, you will contribute to the design and delivery of a wide range of projects throughout the South Island.

You will apply your technical expertise in the planning, design, and delivery of a variety of water infrastructure projects, while building strong working relationships with clients, contractors, and local authorities throughout the project lifecycle.

This is a key technical role requiring sound engineering judgement, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage projects and deliver practical solutions for clients.

Your daily adventures will include…

Undertaking 3-waters infrastructure design, including the design of reticulated networks, pump station design, reservoir design, and stormwater management design.

Undertaking hydraulic design calculations using spreadsheets and modelling software such as PCSWMM, EPANET, HEC-HMS or similar.

Preparing technical reports, design documentation, and engineering assessments.

Carrying out construction administration and observation.

Collaborating closely with our other teams to deliver integrated development solutions.

Engaging with clients, contractors and local authorities throughout project delivery.

Managing your own projects and workload to deliver high-quality outcomes for clients.

To be successful in this role you will ideally…

Have a minimum of 5 years’ experience and hold a relevant tertiary qualification.

Be a Chartered Professional Engineer or working toward chartership.

Experience with stormwater and water modelling software such as SSA, EPANET, or HEC-HMS is a benefit.

Have a strong understanding of relevant New Zealand standards and engineering codes of practice. An understanding of the local engineering standards would be advantageous.

Demonstrate strong English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Be able to manage your time effectively and take ownership of your workload and projects.

Bring a positive, fun and outgoing personality to a collaborative team environment.

What we offer…
At DO you have the opportunity to develop and craft your career. With a flat management structure, motivated individuals can rapidly progress, rather than being limited by hierarchy. You are valued for your unique skillset and experience as an individual, and in return we offer opportunity and flexibility.

While traditionally dominated by land development projects, DO now has an extensive work portfolio within local and regional councils

Davis Ogilvie also offers excellent remuneration and a strong commitment to maintaining a healthy work–life balance.

Why DO is a great place for you to work…

Our people are key to the success of our business. Davis Ogilvie has a distinctive team culture built around a non-hierarchical structure and a “leaders as coaches” philosophy. Principals and Directors work alongside teams in an open-plan environment, fostering accessibility, collaboration, and professional growth. The company also maintains a strong social culture, with regular events and activities that support connection across the business.

We are highly skilled, technical experts who are passionate about what we do. We are a friendly, supportive, diverse and inclusive team with high priority on creating a positive work environment. We work on a wide range of projects from residential and commercial developments to large scale roading and infrastructure projects.

Davis Ogilvie has five offices who work closely together on projects throughout the South Island. This will give you the opportunity to work with colleagues from our other offices on exciting projects within the other regions too.

In addition to working with a team of great people, you can also expect the following benefits:

Professional Development – We encourage our staff to keep learning and growing. We will cover the cost of Engineering NZ subscriptions and provide opportunity for meeting CPD requirements with a range of inhouse and external courses throughout the year.

Wellbeing – We offer Subsidised Health Insurance through Southern Cross, access to our online wellbeing programme, regular mental health and wellness presentations, paid entry into various sports events and 24/7 EAP services.

Environmental – We care about the environment. We are a carbon positive company with a focus on minimising our impact as much as possible, and regular tree planting and other environmental initiatives.

Communities - We care about the communities where we live and work. Supporting them is important to us, and we do this through hand‑on involvement, raising awareness, and supporting causes that make a difference to New Zealanders’ lives.

History – Davis Ogilvie has been established in the South Island for over 90 years and. We are locally owned and operated. You will work side by side with the company directors and other staff with an abundance of knowledge and experience.