National Safety Engineer & Regional Program Lead

New Zealand Government; Nelson; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks' annual leave

Life insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Career development

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) is seeking a Principal Safety Engineer to lead regional safety programmes and provide technical leadership across planning, investment, delivery and operation of the state highway network. You will translate evidence and regional intelligence into practical safety outcomes and influence national guidelines.

You will oversee complex interventions, mentor engineers, collaborate with national colleagues, and represent NZTA with councils and partners while ensuring

Qualifications

• Extensive road safety engineering experience.
• Expertise in safety treatments, crash analysis and effective interventions.
• Knowledge of CAS, RAMM, high-speed data and KiwiRAP.
• Experience delivering integrated, value-for-money transport solutions.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Experience coaching and mentoring technical professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate regional safety programmes, connecting regional risks with national priorities.
• Act as a technical authority on complex safety interventions and system risks.
• Translate evidence into clear, balanced recommendations for decision-makers.
• Shape integrated, value-for-money safety solutions across planning, investment, delivery and operations.
• Review safety and traffic engineering improvements and approve responses to audits.
• Lead or support national and regional safety programmes including low-cost safety improvements.
• Represent NZTA in industry forums and engage with councils and road safety partners.

Skills

Road safety engineering

Safety treatments

Crash analysis

CAS RAMM KiwiRAP

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in transport/civil/highway engineering

Tools

KiwiRAP

RAMM

GIS

Job description

NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) is seeking a Principal Safety Engineer to lead regional safety programmes and provide technical leadership across planning, investment, delivery and operation of the state highway network. You will translate evidence and regional intelligence into practical safety outcomes and influence national guidelines.

You will oversee complex interventions, mentor engineers, collaborate with national colleagues, and represent NZTA with councils and partners while ensuring