Network operations engineering lead

Wellington Water; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 106,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellington Water is seeking an Engineering Lead to oversee asset planning and provide technical support across the public water network. This hybrid role involves leading teams, engaging with stakeholders, and delivering innovative solutions while ensuring high-quality service standards. The successful candidate will enjoy a supportive environment and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Benefits

Comprehensive wellbeing programme

Formal and informal professional development opportunities

5 weeks annual leave after 2 years

Qualifications

• Experience in operations of water supply, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
• Familiar with Local Government Act and Resource Management Act.
• Ability to lead and manage technical staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering projects and support maintenance teams.
• Develop relationships with councils and stakeholders.
• Report on asset performance and strategic investments.

Skills

Customer service

Relationship management

Asset management

Leadership

Education

Relevant engineering qualification

Tools

Computer mapping

Project management

Budget management

Job description

• Great personal and professional development
• Hybrid role working in the office and the outdoors
• Position based in Rongotai or Porirua.

This is a permanent position with a remuneration between $106,892 and $150,906 (including KiwiSaver) depending on skills and experience.

The opportunity

Our Three Engineering Lead roles are designed to provide expert asset planning, technical support, network investigations and project management across the public three waters network. You will also support Service Delivery and Maintenance teams to resolve complex customer service requests, engage with customer’s, manage the delivery of contracted work associated with drainage and water network operations or upgrade projects and will regularly be introducing innovative solutions.

Additionally this will require you to:

• Lead, train and motivate customer technical advisors, graduates, engineers and summer interns to increase capability.
• Provide technical service advice that will lead to good environmental water quality management.
• Develop proactive and effective relationships with councils and all infrastructure and operational stakeholders.
• Provide engineering and operational solutions to our trained and qualified Service Delivery Teams and Leaders.
• Report on asset performance and recommend longer-term strategic investment for asset upgrades.
• Handle Incident and emergency responses and have an understanding of legislation procedures.

About you

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• Relevant engineering qualification or equivalent experience
• Working knowledge of statutory legislation, including Local Government Act, Resource Management Act & Health and Safety Act 2015
• Operation and Maintenance of water supply, wastewater and stormwater systems
• Customer service and relationship management and asset management experience
• Computer mapping, project, contract and budget management experience
• Ability to lead, develop and manage staff

Benefits

At Wellington Water, 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:

• 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

Wellington Water is the professional water services provider across Greater Wellington and South Wairarapa. Our job is to provide safe and healthy drinking water, collect and treat wastewater, and ensure the stormwater network is well managed. We’re a multi-council owned entity, tasked to manage the infrastructure and deliver water services to our communities.

The value of water (a precious taonga) sits at our organisational heart. Our people are passionate about providing waters services for our communities and environment which is reflective in our values; Tangata Tiaki, Whānau and Mana.

Applications close: 30th June 2025

How to apply

To view a copy of the position description click here.

To apply for the role, click on the ”apply” button or visit the Wellington Water Careers site, please note if you are a Wellington Water employee please apply using your work email.

For further information, email: [e-mail]

Applicants will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Wellington Water. You must also be legally entitled to work long-term in New Zealand.