Principal Safety Engineer (Road Safety)

New Zealand Government; Nelson; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks' annual leave

Life insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Career development

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) is seeking a Principal Safety Engineer to lead regional safety programmes and provide technical leadership across planning, investment, delivery and operation of the state highway network. You will translate evidence and regional intelligence into practical safety outcomes and influence national guidelines.

You will oversee complex interventions, mentor engineers, collaborate with national colleagues, and represent NZTA with councils and partners while ensuring

Qualifications

• Extensive road safety engineering experience.
• Expertise in safety treatments, crash analysis and effective interventions.
• Knowledge of CAS, RAMM, high-speed data and KiwiRAP.
• Experience delivering integrated, value-for-money transport solutions.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Experience coaching and mentoring technical professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate regional safety programmes, connecting regional risks with national priorities.
• Act as a technical authority on complex safety interventions and system risks.
• Translate evidence into clear, balanced recommendations for decision-makers.
• Shape integrated, value-for-money safety solutions across planning, investment, delivery and operations.
• Review safety and traffic engineering improvements and approve responses to audits.
• Lead or support national and regional safety programmes including low-cost safety improvements.
• Represent NZTA in industry forums and engage with councils and road safety partners.

Skills

Road safety engineering

Safety treatments

Crash analysis

CAS RAMM KiwiRAP

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in transport/civil/highway engineering

Tools

KiwiRAP

RAMM

GIS

Job description

Provide national and regional technical leadership in road safety engineeringShape practical, evidence-based safety solutions across New Zealand's transport networkOpportunity at Principal or potentially Senior levelPermanent - based Top of the South Island or WellingtonJoin NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi at Principal, or potentially Senior, level and help turn evidence, regional intelligence and best practice into practical safety outcomes across Aotearoa. At Principal level, the role combines deep technical expertise with programme leadership, technical authority and system-wide influence.Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunityAs a Principal Safety Engineer, you will be a senior technical and system leader. You will lead and coordinate regional safety programmes, act as a technical authority on complex interventions and system risks, and influence outcomes across planning, investment, delivery and operation of the state highway network.Working across a diverse and complex portfolio, you will provide expert, pragmatic and deliverable safety engineering advice and assurance. You will translate evidence and regional intelligence into clear priorities and practical solutions, helping ensure outcomes balance safety, network performance, value for money and the needs of communities.You will work alongside other Principal Safety Engineers and specialists from across the organisation, connecting national direction with regional delivery. You will bring together evidence, innovation, international best practice and local knowledge to improve how safety outcomes are achieved.In this influential role, you will:Lead and coordinate regional safety programmes, connecting regional risks and opportunities with national priorities, investment pathways and delivery programmesAct as a technical authority, providing assurance on complex safety interventions, system risks and matters requiring senior professional judgementShape and influence multidisciplinary safety outcomes across planning, investment, project development, delivery, network operations and asset managementTranslate complex evidence and system-level analysis into clear, balanced and actionable recommendations for decision-makersShape practical, integrated and value-for-money safety solutionsReview proposed safety and traffic engineering improvementsProvide client-side review and approval of responses to safety audits, and manage relevant departure processesLead or support national and regional safety programmes, including low-cost low-risk initiatives, value-for-money safety improvements and speed managementInfluence the development of national guidelines, standards and specificationsRepresent NZTA in industry forums, community engagement and consultationBuild trusted relationships with councils, professional services organisations, emergency services and other road safety partnersCollaborate with Principal Engineers nationally to strengthen consistency, share regional insight and improve technical practice, while mentoring and coaching engineers and senior engineers across the Safety PracticeView the Principal Safety Engineer position description.Ko koe tenei | About youPlease note: Candidates with strong road safety engineering expertise but who may not meet every aspect of the Principal level profile are encouraged to apply. If your skills and experience align more closely to a Senior-level position, we may also consider appointment at that level.Ideally, you will bring:Extensive road safety engineering experienceExpertise in safety treatments, crash analysis and effective interventionsKnowledge of CAS, RAMM, high-speed data and KiwiRAPExperience delivering integrated, value-for-money transport solutionsStrong stakeholder engagement and influencing skillsClear written and verbal communicationExperience working across multidisciplinary teamsKnowledge of New Zealand's land transport system and legislationExperience coaching and mentoring technical professionalsA relevant tertiary qualification in transport, civil or highway engineeringThe scope and accountabilities of the role will reflect the level at which the successful candidate is appointed.Ko wai matou | About usYou will join the System and Safety Performance team, working nationally and regionally to lift safety outcomes and network performance across the state highway network.We offer:Five weeks' annual leaveFree life, income protection and critical illness insurance for permanent employeesFlexible working arrangementsCareer development opportunities across a large and diverse organisationThe opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that benefits New Zealanders.Ready to help shape safer transport outcomes across Aotearoa?Me pehea te tuku tono | How to applyPlease submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role.Ra Katinga | Applications close:20 October 2026For further information, email: [e-mail] be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.NZTA| Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.