Principal Rail Engineer

Vitruvius; Wellington; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development– leadership培训

Shareholding potential

Work-life balance

Flexible working

Collaborative team

Job summary

Vitruvius in New Zealand seeks a Principal Rail Engineer to be the technical authority for major rail projects. You will lead track engineering, design standards compliance, and the integration of signalling, OHLE, civil, and structural disciplines, while strengthening client relationships.

You will set performance targets, manage risk and compliance, ensure high-quality technical submissions, and coach teams to grow the rail capability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years’ experience as a rail technical professional, with expertise in track engineering and leading multidisciplinary rail projects.
• Proven experience in stakeholder and relationship management, and a track record of technical excellence and high-level project delivery.
• New Zealand industry experience desirable and Chartered Engineer status preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set performance targets for rail projects and monitor risk and compliance.
• Lead technical delivery of track engineering and integration of signalling, OHLE, civil, and structural disciplines.
• Oversee multiple rail projects and ensure design and asset management best practices are applied.
• Coach and mentor staff to grow Vitruvius’ rail capability and leadership.

Skills

Track engineering

Rail project leadership

Stakeholder management

NZ Chartered Professional Engineer

Bachelor's degree

Problem-solving

Clear technical communication

Mentoring / leadership

Education

NZ Chartered Professional Engineer

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Are you ready to lead the future of rail at Vitruvius?

As our Principal Rail Engineer, you’ll be the technical authority driving excellence across major rail projects. You’ll shape strategy, deliver innovative solutions, and ensure safety and technical excellence throughout the project lifecycle. Your leadership will anchor our rail capability, strengthen client relationships, and continue Vitruvius’ position as a market leader.

Key Outcomes

• Champion technical excellence and innovation in rail engineering, lifting quality, consistency, and client confidence.


• Lead multi-disciplinary project delivery and asset management best practices, ensuring seamless outcomes across teams.


• Drive sector growth and help set the strategic direction for our rail business, supporting sustainable expansion and a stronger market presence.


• Foster a culture of safety, continual improvement, and collaboration, improving performance and reducing risk.


• Empower teams and mentor emerging talent, building a sustainable pipeline of rail expertise.

About the Role

As Principal Rail Engineer at Vitruvius, you will be the primary technical authority for our rail projects, providing trusted advice and strengthening relationships with clients, industry partners, and external organisations. You’ll lead the technical delivery of track engineering, design standards compliance, and the integration of signalling, OHLE, civil, and structural disciplines. Overseeing multiple and diverse rail projects, you’ll ensure best practices in design, planning, and asset management are consistently applied. Your responsibilities will include setting performance targets, monitoring risk and compliance, and ensuring the quality of technical submissions and contract administration. In addition, you’ll act as Project Leader for nominated projects and play a key role in coaching and mentoring developing employees to achieve wider business goals and embody Vitruvius’ values.

What You’ll Bring to Vitruvius

Essential Experience:

• Minimum 15 years’ experience as a rail technical professional, with expertise in track engineering and leading multidisciplinary rail projects.


• Proven experience in stakeholder and relationship management, and a track record of technical excellence and high-level project delivery.


• NZ Chartered Professional Engineer (or equivalent) and a relevant Bachelor’s degree.


• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate complex information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.


• A commitment to Vitruvius’ values: connection, bravery, continual improvement, diversity, and adventure.

Desirable:

• Rail asset management experience, management consultancy background, and experience on major projects ($50M+ CAPEX).


• ISO 19650, PRINCE2, or PMP certification.


• New Zealand industry experience.

What Vitruvius Can Offer You

• Professional development– conference attendance and leadership trainings


• Potential shareholding– own a piece of what you build


• Work-life balance– we actually mean it


• Flexible working– hybrid arrangements available


• Diverse, collaborative team– small enough that your voice matters

Vitruvius is dedicated to creating an environment that encourages Limitless Ambition to thrive. We value your individual skills and expertise that every team member brings to Vitruvius, and we encourage staff to innovate and collaborate so we can produce our best work as a team and as individuals. We operate in an environment where people want to engage with clients and one another – a place thatpromotes, empowers, and willingly blurs the line between work and adventure.

This role can be located in any of our three offices – Auckland, Tauranga, or Wellington.

Join us to make a lasting impact – help Vitruvius deliver high-quality, safe, and sustainable rail solutions that set industry standards.