Lead Engineer – Water Infrastructure Strategic Planning

GHD; Wellington; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible remote work options

Job summary

GHD is seeking a Lead Engineer for Water Infrastructure Strategic Planning based in New Zealand, focusing on influencing how water infrastructure is planned and delivered under climate pressures. This role offers a hybrid work model where you can work in the office and remotely.

The ideal candidate will bring over 15 years of experience in the water sector, capable of leading strategies across stormwater, water supply, and wastewater projects. GHD values diverse backgrounds and encourages applications from all.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in water infrastructure planning and strategy.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complex concepts.
• Proven ability to work with senior stakeholders across various sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead system-level infrastructure strategies across water sectors.
• Influence early-stage planning and investment decisions.
• Collaborate globally to deliver integrated solutions.

Skills

Influencing infrastructure planning and investment decisions

Systems thinking

Relationship building with clients

Leadership and mentoring

Job description

Lead Engineer – Water Infrastructure Strategic Planning

Based in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, or any of GHD's other offices, this front‑end strategy role focuses on influencing how water infrastructure is planned, funded, and delivered under climate pressure, reform, and changing community expectations.

Responsibilities

• Lead system‑level infrastructure strategies across stormwater, water supply, and/or wastewater.
• Influence early‑stage decisions, including business cases, programmes, and investment priorities.
• Build enduring client partnerships, positioning GHD as a partner of choice.
• Collaborate across GHD’s global network to deliver integrated solutions from strategy through to delivery.
• Contribute to market growth, identifying and shaping new opportunities in the water sector.
• Provide leadership, mentoring others and lifting capability across the team.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in water infrastructure planning and strategy, with prior project delivery and implementation experience preferred.
• Proven ability to influence infrastructure planning and investment decisions.
• Strong systems thinking, connecting technical, environmental, and economic considerations.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders across councils, utilities, or government.
• A deep understanding of the New Zealand water sector and reform environment.
• A commercial mindset, with the ability to shape opportunities and build client relationships.
• Clear, confident communication and the ability to translate complexity into insight.

Benefits

Hybrid model: Work in office a few days a week while also enjoying flexibility to work remotely.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At GHD we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunities and invites applications from people of all nationalities, genders, and cultural backgrounds.