Principal Design Manager

Jacobs; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Job summary

Jacobs in Auckland seeks a seasoned Principal Design Manager to lead transport infrastructure projects across NZ, spanning roads, rail, and bus rapid transit. This role blends strategy, delivery, and client leadership to shape major infrastructure outcomes.

You will work with commercial and technical leaders to position Jacobs for success, strengthen client relationships, and mentor teams while championing safety and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in leading transport infrastructure engineering and design management.
• Proven track record in business development and client relationship management.
• Excellent leadership and mentoring skills.
• Ability to thrive in a global, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of major transport projects – roads, rail, and bus rapid transit.
• Shape strategy, drive delivery, and lead client relationships.
• Mentor and coach multidisciplinary teams to achieve outcomes.
• Represent Jacobs at industry events and foster knowledge sharing.

Skills

Transport design

Leadership

Business development

Client relationship

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Auckland is calling and Jacobs is growing. If you’re a seasoned Principal Design Manager who thrives at the intersection of strategy, delivery, and client leadership, this is your chance to shape some of the most meaningful transport projects across New Zealand.

We’re looking for someone who can bring clarity to complexity, confidence to clients, and cohesion to multidisciplinary teams. In this role, you’ll lead the delivery of major transportation projects – spanning roads and highways, rail, and bus rapid transit.

You’ll work closely with commercial, project management and technical leaders to position Jacobs for success, helping us win and deliver the next wave of transport infrastructure. Beyond delivery, you’ll be a visible and trusted presence in the market strengthening key client relationships, representing Jacobs at industry events, spotting emerging opportunities, and guiding our teams as a mentor and coach. You’ll help foster a culture of knowledge sharing, collaboration and safety and you’ll champion the benefits of global connectivity, ensuring our projects draw on the best thinking from across Jacobs worldwide.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys leading people as much as leading projects, who can navigate complexity with ease, and who sees client partnership as a long‑term craft rather than a transaction.

If you’re ready to help shape the future of transport in Auckland and beyond, let’s talk.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Extensive experience in leading transport infrastructure engineering and design management
• Proven track record in business development and client relationship management
• Excellent leadership and mentoring skills
• Ability to thrive in a global, collaborative environment

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs here.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of diverse perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about ourJacobs Employee Networks here.

Our meticulously curated employee benefits support ALL employees throughout every stage of life. From paid parental leave to a lifetime financial allowance for you and your partner to access family‑forming Fertility & IVF treatment, adoption, and surrogacy assistance along with menopause and Low T treatment.

We are steadfast in our commitment to the wellbeing of you and your loved ones with a comprehensive suite of wellbeing resources supporting you physically, emotionally and financially. This is demonstrated in our company being recognised by WGEA for 12 consecutive years as an employer of choice for gender equality along with our industry‑leading GOLD employer status by the Australian Workplace Equality Index.

Cultural Support

Māori and Pasifika peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. Jacobs aims to provide cultural safety at our interviews. Māori and Pasifika people are invited to nominate a Whanau, family or cultural representative to participate on the interview panel; please let your recruiter know in your application. No matter what drives you, you'll discover a way to cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.