Principal Engineer (Advisor) - Regulatory Engineering

Auckland Council; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 125,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Auckland Council seeks an experienced Principal Engineer to lead technical excellence in Regulatory Engineering. The role shapes outcomes, influences standards, and drives innovation across assessments and processes.

You will deliver specialist guidance, training, and QA to support decisions impacting communities and development. Based in Albany with a hybrid working arrangement, this position requires extensive NZ regulatory knowledge, strategic thinking, and strong stakeholder engagement to

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in land development civil engineering.
• Deep knowledge of New Zealand regulatory processes and legislation.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver technical training.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership within Regulatory Engineering.
• Shape regulatory engineering outcomes and influence standards.
• Support complex regulatory decisions affecting communities.
• Deliver guidance, training and quality assurance activities.

Skills

Civil/Environmental Eng

10+ years experience

Regulatory processes NZ

Engineering judgement

Training & guidance

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking & leadership

Education

Tertiary qualification in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Job description

• Lead technical excellence. Shape regulatory engineering outcomes. Influence the future.
• Hybrid role with flexible working and based in Albany, Auckland
• Salary will be $125,000 to $155,000 plus KiwiSaver contribution

We are seeking an experienced Principal Engineer to provide technical leadership within our Regulatory Engineering function. This is an influential role where you will help drive consistency, quality, innovation, and continuous improvement across engineering assessments and regulatory processes. You will also help Regulatory Engineering respond to changes in the Resource Management Act, Building Act, and the introduction of the National Engineering Design Standards over the coming years.

As a trusted technical expert, you will provide specialist advice, develop engineering guidance, deliver training, undertake quality assurance activities, and support complex regulatory engineering decisions that have a lasting impact on communities and development outcomes.

What you will bring

• Tertiary qualification in Civil or Environmental Engineering
• 10+ years' experience in land development civil engineering
• Extensive knowledge of New Zealand regulatory processes and legislation
• Strong engineering judgement and problem-solving ability
• Experience developing and delivering technical training and guidance
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Ability to think strategically, prioritise effectively, and lead through collaboration

Why you will thrive in this role

You will enjoy working independently while partnering with a diverse range of stakeholders within Council and the Development industry. You are a confident decision-maker who seeks input from relevant stakeholders, takes ownership, provides practical solutions, and communicates complex technical concepts clearly. You are passionate about developing others and continually improving engineering practice.

Auckland Council is one of the largest local authorities in the South Pacific providing essential services and facilities to more than 1.8 million people. We are progressive socially, culturally, and environmentally while we work towards creating change having an impact on our journey to becoming a world-class city for our ratepayers, residents, and visitors.

In return for your hard work, you will be rewarded with a competitive salary and be a part of a friendly and collaborative team that is dedicated to our customers. You will receive opportunities for training and development and be supported to help build your career and maintain your technical expertese.

Please note this role is deemed safety-sensitive and will require a pre-employment drug & alcohol test.

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.

Applications close Thursday 17 September at 11.59pm