Principal Civil Engineer

AlphaCon Solutions - Alpha Consulting Limited; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

AlphaCon Solutions - Alpha Consulting Limited is recruiting a Principal/Senior Civil Engineer for Tauranga, NZ, focused on land development and subdivision projects. You’ll work with the Directors, engineers and clients, delivering technically strong design and project leadership in a dynamic consultancy environment.

The role emphasizes hands-on civil design (about 75%) and project delivery, with a clear path toward senior leadership and potential equity.

Qualifications

• CPEng status with minimum two years on record.
• Strong leadership in project delivery and client relationships.
• Broad Three Waters capability across stormwater, wastewater and water.

Responsibilities

• Lead civil engineering design across land development and subdivision projects.
• Participate in Three Waters design and related reports.
• Prepare and review engineering designs, drawings and calculations.
• Lead land-use and subdivision consent engineering work.
• Mentor and develop engineers and strengthen technical capability.

Skills

CPEng

Project leadership

Three Waters

Land development

Client facing

Mentoring

Education

Civil Engineering qualification

Job description

Principal / Senior Civil Engineer – Land Development

There are plenty of Senior Civil Engineer roles in the market. This one has somewhere to go.

Infinity Staff Global and AlphaConsulting are partnered and recruiting for an established New Zealand land development consultancy looking to make a significant appointment to its Tauranga business.

They are seeking an ambitious, technically strong CPEng Civil Engineer who can combine hands‑on engineering with project leadership, client relationships and the ability to influence and develop those around them.

For the right person, this isn’t intended to be the final step in your career. There is a genuine opportunity to progress into senior business leadership and potential shareholding, making this particularly suited to someone who wants to build something rather than simply take another engineering position.

The Opportunity

You’ll take a leading role across a broad portfolio of land development and subdivision projects, working closely with the Directors, engineers, surveyors, project leads, clients, contractors and local authorities.

Importantly, this remains a technical engineering position. The role is approximately 75% civil design engineering and project delivery, so we’re looking for someone who still enjoys solving engineering problems and being involved in projects rather than someone who has moved completely into people management.

Your involvement will extend across the full project lifecycle – from initial investigation and concept development through design, consenting, construction and final delivery.

You’ll also become an important technical and leadership presence within the Tauranga office, helping develop the engineering team and strengthening relationships with clients, councils and the wider development community.

What You’ll Be Doing

Your work will include:

• Leading civil engineering design across land development and subdivision projects
• Three Waters design, particularly stormwater, wastewater and water infrastructure
• Preparing and reviewing engineering designs, drawings, calculations and technical reports
• Land-use and subdivision consent engineering
• Utilities and development assessments
• Providing engineering input from initial investigation through design, construction and final reporting
• Technical review, QA, value engineering and complex problem solving
• Managing significant projects, programmes and deliverables
• Working directly with developers, clients, contractors, consultants and local authorities
• Providing practical engineering advice during construction
• Mentoring and developing engineers and strengthening technical capability across the team
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, councils and industry contacts
• Contributing to the continued growth and direction of the Tauranga business

The successful person will have genuine authority across project teams and consultants and will work closely with the Directors on performance and delivery.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re interested in talking to an established Civil Engineer who has built their career within the New Zealand land development and subdivision sector.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• A relevant Civil Engineering qualification
• CPEng for a minimum of two years
• Approximately 10+ years’ relevant experience, although we’re particularly interested in experienced Senior, Associate and Principal-level engineers
• Strong New Zealand land development and subdivision experience
• Broad Three Waters capability
• Strong technical civil design knowledge
• A proven record of taking projects from concept through design and delivery
• Confidence dealing directly with clients, developers, councils and contractors
• The ability to technically review work and provide clear, constructive guidance
• Experience mentoring and developing other engineers
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of successful project delivery
• The personality and ambition to become a recognised leader within the business and wider market

The formal position requires CPEng of at least two years, approximately ten years’ relevant experience and a proven client-facing delivery record, alongside strong Three Waters and land development/subdivision expertise.

Why This One Is Different

This is a succession and growth appointment.

The business has a strong existing workload, established clients and experienced people around you. What they’re looking for now is someone who can bring the next generation of technical and commercial leadership to Tauranga.

You won’t be brought in simply to manage a team or occupy a title. You’ll be given the opportunity to establish yourself as a key person within the organisation, influence how projects are delivered, develop people, strengthen client relationships and help shape the future of the business.

And importantly, for someone who proves themselves and wants to make a long‑term commitment, there is a genuine pathway towards shareholding in the business.

Package

There is considerable flexibility for the right appointment.

As a guide, we’re expecting approximately $150,000–$200,000+, depending on experience, capability and the level at which you enter the business.

If you’re an ambitious Senior ready to make the step up, we’d like to hear from you.

Equally, if you’re already operating at Associate or Principal level and wondering whether your current consultancy can offer you genuine influence, autonomy and an ownership opportunity, this conversation could be particularly worthwhile.

All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence.