Intermediate Civil Engineer

Survey and Spatial New Zealand; Otago; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Land is seeking an intermediate civil engineer to join our Wanaka team. You will take ownership of detailed civil designs for land development, including earthworks, three waters, and roading, and work closely with senior engineers to ensure quality and compliance.

You will support project delivery through all stages—from consenting and design through to construction and titles—while coordinating with clients, councils, and contractors.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in civil engineering required.
• 3–6 years’ civil engineering experience.
• Experience in land development projects preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed civil designs for land development (earthworks, three waters, roading).
• Support project delivery through all stages from consenting to titles.
• Carry out site inspections during construction.
• Prepare tender and contract documents, quantities and estimates.
• Assist with NZS3910 contract administration.
• Coordinate with clients, councils, contractors and other consultants.
• Mentor graduates and technicians as experience grows.
• Contribute to quality assurance across drawings and models.

Skills

Earthworks design

Roading design

Three waters design

Project coordination

Client liaison

Team mentoring

Education

BE (Hons) / BEngTech(Civil) / NZDE(Civil)

Degree or diploma in civil engineering

Tools

12d

HEC-RAS

EPANET

Job description

Southern Land is looking for an intermediate civil engineer to join our Wānaka team. If you enjoy taking ownership of your design work, contributing to project delivery, and working closely with clients and other team members and engineers, we’d love to hear from you.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Design and Technical Delivery – Prepare detailed civil designs for land development projects, including earthworks, three waters, and roading. Work closely with senior engineers to ensure designs meet quality, safety, and compliance standards.
• Project Delivery – Support the delivery of projects through all stages, consenting, design, tendering, construction, and titles. Take ownership of specific design packages and help coordinate inputs from other disciplines.
• Site Inspections and Monitoring – Carry out site inspections during construction to confirm works meet design intent and technical specifications.
• Contract Documentation – Assist in preparing tender and contract documents, quantities, and estimates.
• Contract Administration – Assist with the administration of NZS3910 construction contracts
• Client and Stakeholder Coordination – Liaise with clients, councils, contractors, and other consultants under the guidance of senior staff.
• Professional Development – Learn from and collaborate with senior engineers while mentoring graduates and technicians as your experience grows.
• Quality Assurance – Contribute to quality control processes, ensuring documentation, drawings, and models are accurate and fit for purpose.

What You’ll Bring

• Qualifications – A degree or diploma in civil engineering, such as a BE (Hons), BEngTech (Civil), or NZDE (Civil).
• Experience – 3-6 years in civil engineering, ideally within the land development sector
• Technical Skills – Solid understanding of three waters, earthworks, and roading design, with experience using 12d. Familiarity with hydraulic modelling tools (HEC-RAS, EPANET, etc.) would be an advantage.
• Project Exposure – Experience assisting with the delivery of subdivision and land development projects, from consenting and design through to construction.
• Communication – Confident working within a team and engaging with clients, councils, and contractors.
• Professional Growth – Actively working towards CPEng registration or keen to progress towards it with structured mentoring.
• General – Organised, proactive, and adaptable, with the ability to manage workload across multiple projects.

Why join Southern Land

• Be part of a locally rooted consultancy delivering projects that shape communities across Central Otago.
• Work on a variety of residential, rural, and commercial developments, from concept through to completion.
• Enjoy a mix of office and site-based work in Wānaka and Central Otago, one of New Zealand’s most sought-after locations.
• Join a supportive and experienced team that values curiosity, initiative, and collaboration.
• Build your career with clear pathways toward senior project, technical, or leadership roles as we continue to grow.

Who Are We

Southern Land is a multi-disciplinary land development consultancy with strong local roots and national reach. We help landowners realise the potential of their land through practical, high quality and sustainable development solutions

We value curiosity, collaboration, and follow-through. We’re growing, and we want the right people to grow with us.

Let’s talk

We know the best people aren’t always actively job hunting. If this role sounds like the right step for you, let’s start a confidential conversation.

Contact: Sarah Allen (Practice Manager) | www.southernland.co.nz/work-for-us

Closing Date: 10 Nov 2026

Region: Wānaka (with projects across Central Otago)

Type: Full-time, permanent

Category: Civil Engineer

Experience Required: Qualifications – A degree or diploma in civil engineering, such as a BE (Hons), BEngTech (Civil), or NZDE (Civil). Experience – 3-6 years in civil engineering, ideally within the land development sector