Principal Systems Engineer

Jacobs; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Associate Systems Engineer to lead the development of the SESA capability across New Zealand and the broader ANZ region. You will contribute to challenging programs, balance technical excellence with commercial awareness, and mentor other engineers while building strong client relationships.

In this role you will support pursuits, proposals and market engagement across multiple sectors, including transportation, defence and critical infrastructure, while promoting best

Qualifications

• Extensive experience applying systems engineering within complex infrastructure or defence environments.
• Proven ability to manage requirements, architecture, interfaces and verification/validation.
• Strong client engagement and leadership across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities across major programs and full lifecycle.
• Provide strategic advice on requirements, architecture, integration and verification.
• Develop trusted NZ stakeholder relationships and identify growth opportunities.
• Support pursuits, proposals and market engagement to expand Jacobs' ANZ presence.
• Define enterprise-level SE frameworks and governance in line with INCOSE/ISO standards.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote best practices.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

MBSE

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

MBSE platforms

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

As our ANZ Systems Engineering & Systems Assurance (SESA) team continues to grow, we are seeking a Senior Associate Systems Engineer to play a leading role in the development of our SESA capability across New Zealand and the broader ANZ region.

This is more than a traditional systems engineering role. We are looking for a technically strong systems thinker who can combine delivery excellence with strategic consulting, client engagement and business growth. You will be part of and work directly with the ANZ SESA team, supporting internal and external clients to solve complex challenges, shape future opportunities and help expand Jacobs' presence across multiple sectors, such as transportation, defence, aviation, water, ports and critical infrastructure.

As a senior member of our team, you will be trusted to lead systems engineering activities on major programs while helping clients navigate complexity, make informed decisions and achieve better project outcomes. Equally important, as a focal point for Systems Engineering in Auckland, you will have the opportunity to influence how we grow and evolve our SESA capability across New Zealand. You will work closely with clients to build strong, enduring relationships while identifying opportunities to support their strategic objectives. Alongside project delivery, you will contribute to business growth through supporting pursuits, proposals and market engagement activities, helping strengthen Jacobs' position as a trusted partner in the region.

You will work alongside some of the industry's leading engineers, consultants and project professionals, collaborating across disciplines and geographies to deliver innovative and sustainable outcomes for our clients.

Success in this role will come from balancing technical excellence with commercial awareness and proactive client engagement. Your ability to build trust, navigate complexity and bring people together around a shared vision will be key to delivering high-quality outcomes and supporting sustainable business growth.

If you are an established systems engineering professional with a strong track record of leading project delivery, developing client relationships and implementing systems engineering strategies within complex infrastructure environments, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact. Joining Jacobs means becoming part of a global team that is committed to creating innovative solutions, empowering individuals to thrive and delivering infrastructure that connects and improves communities across ANZ and globally.

In this role

• Lead the application of systems engineering across the full project lifecycle.
• Provide strategic advice to clients on requirements management, systems architecture, integration, interface management, verification and validation.
• Develop trusted relationships within New Zealand with our key client stakeholders and become a go-to advisor for complex systems challenges.
• Identify, shape and mature opportunities that support client objectives and business growth.
• Contribute to pursuits, proposals and business development activities across multiple market sectors.
• Help define and implement enterprise-level systems engineering frameworks and governance approaches.
• Mentor and develop emerging systems engineering professionals.
• Drive best practice systems engineering methodologies aligned with recognised standards such as INCOSE and ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288.
• Support the continued growth and diversification of Jacobs' Systems Engineering & Systems Assurance capability across ANZ

Why Jacobs?

Joining Jacobs means becoming part of a global community of problem solvers, innovators and thought leaders who are committed to creating a more connected and sustainable world.

You’ll have the opportunity to work on some of the region's most significant programs, collaborate with experts across the globe, and play a pivotal role in shaping both client outcomes and the future direction of our Systems Engineering & Systems Assurance business.

If you’re passionate about systems thinking, enjoy building trusted relationships, and want to help grow a market-leading capability while solving complex challenges, we’d love to hear from you.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor’s degree qualification in Engineering or a related discipline
• Extensive experience applying systems engineering within complex infrastructure, transportation, defence or critical asset environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in requirements management, systems architecture, interface management, systems integration and verification & validation.
• The ability to engage confidently with senior client stakeholders and influence project outcomes.
• A track record of identifying opportunities, shaping work and supporting business growth.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of client drivers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical writing and proposal development.
• Experience with Requirements Management tools and/or Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) platforms.

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.