Principal Structural Engineer

Mott MacDonald; Auckland; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

KiwiSaver enhancement

Employee-owned

Career mentoring and development

Job summary

Mott MacDonald in Auckland is seeking a Principal Structural Engineer to lead the design and delivery of safe, efficient and enduring structures across buildings and infrastructure. You will guide multidisciplinary teams, mentor engineers and work with clients to shape robust technical solutions from concept through construction.

You will bring extensive experience in structural design, knowledge of NZ standards and a collaborative, leadership-focused mindset.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Significant experience in structural engineering design, ideally in a consulting environment.
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand design standards, seismic design, and local construction practices.
• Experience leading design delivery across concept, detailed design and construction stages.
• Confidence reviewing technical work and supporting quality outcomes.
• Strong client-facing, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Collaborative mentoring mindset and willingness to develop others.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural design and technical delivery across building and infrastructure projects.
• Act as discipline lead or project engineer on projects of varying scale and complexity.
• Provide technical guidance, reviews and quality assurance for drawings, reports, specifications and calculations.
• Work closely with architects, clients, contractors and multidisciplinary teams to develop practical, buildable and sustainable solutions.
• Mentor and support graduate, intermediate and senior engineers to grow capability.
• Contribute to bids, proposals and client relationships to grow our structural offering in New Zealand.
• Support construction phase services, site inspections and design changes when required.
• Champion collaboration, digital delivery, safety in design and continuous improvement.

Skills

Structural design

Seismic design

Team leadership

Client liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering

Chartered Professional Engineer status (or path)

Job description

Principal Structural Engineer - Auckland

Shape a better world with us

At Mott MacDonald, we employ brilliant people and trust them to do brilliant things. We are a global, employee-owned consultancy delivering work that improves communities, strengthens resilience and creates long‑term value across Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider Asia Pacific region.

Our Auckland Buildings team is growing, and we are looking for a Principal Structural Engineer to help lead the design and delivery of safe, efficient and enduring structures. This is an opportunity to bring your technical leadership, client focus and passion for mentoring into a collaborative team working on meaningful projects across New Zealand.

The opportunity

As a Principal Structural Engineer, you will play a senior role in our Built Environment team, leading structural engineering design, supporting multidisciplinary project delivery and helping shape strong outcomes for clients, communities and our people.

You will work across a varied portfolio of buildings and infrastructure projects, from early concept and feasibility through to detailed design, construction support and technical review. You will also have the chance to connect with local and global specialists, contribute to digital and sustainable design practices, and help grow the capability and confidence of engineers around you.

What You Will Do

• Lead structural design and technical delivery across building and infrastructure projects.
• Act as discipline lead or project engineer on projects of varying scale and complexity.
• Provide technical guidance, reviews and quality assurance for drawings, reports, specifications and calculations.
• Work closely with architects, clients, contractors and multidisciplinary teams to develop practical, buildable and sustainable solutions.
• Mentor and support graduate, intermediate and senior engineers, helping build capability across the team.
• Contribute to bids, proposals, client relationships and the growth of our structural engineering offering in New Zealand.
• Support construction phase services, site inspections, design changes and technical advice when required.
• Champion collaboration, digital delivery, safety in design and continuous improvement.

About You

You are an experienced structural engineer who enjoys solving complex problems, leading high-quality design and helping others succeed. You bring strong judgement, clear communication and a collaborative approach to working with clients and project teams.

You will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Civil or Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in structural engineering design, ideally within a consulting environment.
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand design standards, seismic design and local construction practices.
• Experience leading design delivery across concept, detailed design and construction stages.
• Confidence reviewing technical work and supporting quality outcomes.
• Strong client-facing, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A collaborative style and genuine interest in mentoring and developing others.
• Chartered Professional Engineer status, or a clear pathway toward chartership, would be highly regarded.

Why Mott MacDonald?

Here, you will be surrounded by global specialists who want to collaborate, share knowledge and help each other succeed. Whether your ambition is to deepen your technical expertise, broaden your project experience, develop your leadership profile or contribute to work that has a lasting impact, you will have the support and opportunity to shape your story.

As an independent, employee-owned business, we make decisions for the long‑term benefit of our people, clients and communities. Our people have a real stake in our success, and we reinvest in the things that help them do brilliant work: innovation, sustainability, learning, development and a culture where everyone feels empowered, supported and valued.

What We Offer

• A supportive, collaborative and values‑led culture.
• The opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects across New Zealand and the wider Asia Pacific region.
• Career development through mentoring, technical networks, learning and practical project experience.
• Flexible and agile working options, including part‑time options where suitable.
• A competitive benefits package, including enhanced KiwiSaver contributions.
• The chance to be part of an employee‑owned business where your voice matters.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can bring their full self to work. We value diverse perspectives because they help us make better decisions, deliver stronger outcomes and build a better workplace. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. We are happy to discuss how we can support you.

Location(s):

Auckland, NZ

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Pattern: Full Time

Market: Buildings

Discipline: Structural

Job Ref: 16216