Principal Advisor Engineering - Seismic

New Zealand Government; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking a Principal Advisor Engineering - Seismic to provide specialist structural engineering advice and nationwide oversight of seismic risks across our hospital portfolio.

You will lead updates to seismic guidance, support design assurance and master planning, and translate complex engineering issues into clear reports for senior leaders, governance groups and stakeholders. This is a national role spanning regional and national teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(Hons)) in structural engineering.
• Chartered Professional Engineer status (CPEng or equivalent).
• 8+ years' structural engineering experience with a strong focus on seismic design.
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand building codes and seismic design standards.
• Experience providing technical advice on seismic policy, engineering guidance, assessments or strengthening design.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist structural engineering advice and seismic assessments across Health NZ's property portfolio.
• Lead updates to seismic and structural design guidance and support design assurance.
• Monitor application of seismic requirements and assist with master planning and data oversight.
• Translate complex engineering matters into clear reports for senior leaders and governance groups.
• Oversee post-earthquake arrangements in partnership with emergency management teams and hospitals.

Skills

Structural engineering

Seismic design

Policy guidance

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

BE(Hons) in Structural Engineering

CPEng or equivalent

Job description

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders.We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations — from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities.Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

About the RoleAs Principal Advisor Engineering - Seismic, you will be helping to ensure seismic risks across our property portfolio are effectively understood, managed and mitigated. Reporting to the Head of Asset Management, this national role provides specialist structural engineering advice and oversight to strengthen the resilience of hospital buildings and support safe, informed infrastructure decisions.

Working alongside Health New Zealand's Seismic Trusted Advisor, regional infrastructure teams and major project delivery teams, you will provide technical advice on policy, structural and geotechnical guidance, seismic assessments and strengthening design. You will also oversee post-earthquake arrangements in partnership with emergency management teams and hospitals.

The role will lead updates to seismic and structural design guidance, monitor how requirements are applied, support design assurance and master planning, and maintain oversight of data and building risk information. You will translate complex engineering matters into clear advice and reporting for senior leaders, governance groups and other stakeholders.

This is an opportunity to influence seismic resilience at a national level and help shape practical, evidence-based solutions for one of New Zealand's most significant property portfolios.

About the Team/Service/LocationThe Infrastructure and Investment Group (IIG) is focused on delivering high-impact infrastructure investment that supports the transformation of New Zealand's health system.Providing support, oversight and assurance across projects and programmes, the team recognises that safe, fit-for-purpose health facilities, sites and equipment are essential to a well-functioning health system. This is a national role, working across regional and national teams and with a broad range of internal and external technical stakeholders.

About youYou are an experienced structural engineer with technical knowledge of seismic design, risk-based design requirements and New Zealand's building and seismic standards. You can apply sound engineering judgement to complex issues, identify practical solutions and provide credible advice that supports organisational and system level decision making.

You are comfortable operating across a large and complex environment, you can build trusted relationships with technical specialists, regional leaders, consultants, contractors and project teams.

You Bring:A Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(Hons) degree in structural engineering.Chartered Professional Engineer status (CPEng or equivalent).8 + years' structural engineering experience, with a strong focus on seismic design and demonstrated knowledge of New Zealand seismic legislation.At least five years' technical experience and knowledge of structural design and risk-based design requirements in New Zealand.Strong knowledge of New Zealand building codes and seismic design standards.Experience providing technical advice on seismic policy, engineering guidance, assessments or strengthening design.The ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities and support evidence-based decisions.Proven experience leading, influencing and building credibility across a range of internal and external stakeholders.Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to explain complex technical information clearly.

Working for Health New ZealandHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community.