Engineering Lead Treatment Plants

Tiaki Wai; Lower Hutt; On-site; NZD 121,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working up to 2 days

Wellbeing programme

Professional development

5 weeks leave after 2 years

Job summary

Tiaki Wai seeks an Engineering Lead (Treatment) in Wellington to provide strategic and technical leadership for our Treatment team. Lead skilled engineers, oversee complex investigations, and influence major water infrastructure decisions across the region.

You will drive performance, capability growth, and cross‑team collaboration during a period of growth. Based in Petone, this full‑time role focuses on delivering safe, reliable water services while shaping investments and asset management

Qualifications

• 10+ years post-qualification engineering experience in drinking water or wastewater infrastructure.
• Bachelor of Engineering or Diploma in Engineering; CPEng status or in progress.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of treatment engineers and shape technical direction.
• Oversee investigations, studies, and assessments across asset lifecycle.
• Influence regional infrastructure decisions through collaboration with operations and planning.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Water treatment expertise

Strategic influence

Stakeholder management

Team development

Education

Bachelor of Engineering / Diploma in Engineering

CPEng status or pursuing

Job description

• Lead a team of highly skilled treatment engineering professionals




• Influence the future of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across the region




• Shape strategic decisions while growing capability and technical excellence

This is a full time position of 40 hours per week based in Petone

The remuneration range for this role is $120,817.48 to 170,565.86 p.a (including KiwiSaver) depending on skills and experience

The opportunity

The Engineering Lead (Treatment) provides strategic, technical, and people leadership for Wellington Water's Engineering Services Treatment team. Leading a team of dedicated and highly skilled engineers, you will oversee complex investigations, engineering studies, and technical assessments that help shape the future of drinking water and wastewater services across the region.

This is a unique opportunity to influence major infrastructure and investment decisions while working across the full asset lifecycle. You'll partner closely with Operations, Asset Planning, and Capital Delivery teams to understand asset performance, identify risks and opportunities, and develop solutions that support safe, reliable, and resilient water services.

Success in this role requires more than technical expertise. You'll lead a large team through a period of significant organisational growth and change while building strong relationships across the business.

About you

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• 10+ years' post-qualification engineering experience, ideally within drinking water, wastewater treatment, or broader three waters infrastructure.




• A Bachelor of Engineering or Diploma in Engineering (Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Process, or related discipline), with CPEng status or working towards it.




• Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and motivating technical professionals.




• Strong technical expertise in treatment systems, treatment processes, water quality, or treatment infrastructure planning




• The ability to build trusted relationships and influence outcomes across a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.




• Experience managing complex work programmes, competing priorities, and organisational change.




• Strong coaching, mentoring, and communication skills.




• The ability to translate complex technical issues into practical and actionable advice for a range of audiences.

Benefits

At Tiaki Wai, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.

Our benefits include:

• Flexible working arrangements including up to 2 days working from home




• Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually




• Formal and informal professional development opportunities




• 5 weeks annual leave accrual will be available following 2 years of continual service

For a full list of our employee benefits click here.

About us

Tiaki Wai is a council-owned organisation responsible for managing the delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services across Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Wellington.

We manage public-owned extensive water infrastructure and oversee the delivery of safe and reliable services for our communities. We focus on long‑term investment, asset management, maintenance, and delivering major infrastructure projects that support public health, environmental protection, and regional growth.

Water is a precious taonga. At Tiaki Wai, we put care into every drop and are guided by our values of Integrity, Care, and Leadership. We work directly with water consumers and in partnership with councils and mana whenua to deliver better water outcomes for current and future generations.

Applications close: Sunday 25 October 2026

Applicants for safety sensitive roles will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Tiaki Wai. You must also be legally entitled to work long‑term in New Zealand or eligible to obtain a working visa.