Principal Three Waters Engineer

Fluid Recruitment; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Fluid Recruitment is seeking a Principal Three Waters Engineer for Hamilton. The role leads technical design across stormwater, wastewater and water supply, providing oversight of calculations, reports and specs.

You will mentor engineers, engage with clients and councils, and drive project delivery and growth across the Three Waters portfolio. The ideal candidate has NZ civil engineering experience, a strong command of NZ standards and consenting processes, and a track record of leadership in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) or equivalent qualification.
• CPEng status or working towards is preferred.
• Experience delivering Three Waters projects in New Zealand.
• Strong knowledge of NZ standards and consenting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical design and delivery of Three Waters projects (stormwater, wastewater, water supply).
• Provide technical oversight and review calculations, reports, specs and design docs.
• Oversee complex infrastructure assessments, hydraulic modelling and practical solutions.
• Manage project delivery: budgets, programmes, resources, technical requirements.
• Maintain and develop client, council, contractor relationships and stakeholders.
• Mentor intermediate and junior engineers and provide technical guidance.
• Support consenting, contract docs and construction delivery.
• Contribute to business development and Three Waters service growth.

Skills

Strong communication

Project leadership

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)

CPEng status or working towards

Tools

Engineering design software

Job description

Principal Three Waters Engineer - Hamilton

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Principal Three Waters Engineer to join an established and growing engineering consultancy in Hamilton. This is an opportunity to take a senior technical and leadership role within the business, contributing to a varied portfolio of civil and water infrastructure projects across the Waikato.

You will provide technical direction across stormwater, wastewater and water supply projects, overseeing engineering design and ensuring solutions are practical, commercially viable and aligned with relevant industry standards. Working closely with clients, councils and other technical professionals, you will have involvement throughout the project lifecycle, from initial investigations and feasibility through to detailed design, consenting and construction.

Alongside your technical responsibilities, you will play an important role in developing the wider engineering team, mentoring engineers and supporting project delivery. This position would suit someone who enjoys combining hands‑on engineering expertise with client engagement, project leadership and the opportunity to influence the continued growth of a consultancy.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the technical design and delivery of Three Waters infrastructure projects, covering stormwater, wastewater and water supply networks.
• Providing technical oversight and reviewing engineering calculations, reports, specifications and detailed design documentation.
• Overseeing complex infrastructure assessments, hydraulic modelling and the development of practical engineering solutions.
• Managing project delivery, including budgets, programmes, resources and technical requirements.
• Maintaining and developing relationships with clients, councils, contractors and other project stakeholders.
• Providing technical guidance, mentoring and leadership to intermediate and junior engineers.
• Supporting consenting processes, contract documentation and construction delivery.
• Contributing to business development, identifying new opportunities and supporting the continued growth of the Three Waters service offering.

Ideal Candidate

We are interested in hearing from experienced civil engineers with a strong background in Three Waters infrastructure and the ability to operate at a principal level within a consultancy environment. You will hold a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) or equivalent qualification and have extensive experience delivering stormwater, wastewater and water supply projects within New Zealand.

You will bring a high level of technical expertise across infrastructure design, engineering assessments and relevant New Zealand standards and consenting requirements. The ability to review complex designs, provide technical direction and take responsibility for engineering outcomes will be essential. Experience with local authority infrastructure requirements and the challenges associated with delivering projects across the Three Waters disciplines will also be valuable.

Beyond your technical capability, you will be confident managing senior client relationships, leading project teams and identifying opportunities to grow the business. Previous experience in a principal, associate or senior leadership position would be beneficial, alongside a genuine interest in developing people and contributing to the wider direction of an engineering consultancy.

Ideally, you will bring:

• A Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) or equivalent qualification.
• CPEng status or working towards.
• Extensive New Zealand experience in civil and Three Waters engineering, ideally 10+ years.
• A strong technical background across stormwater, wastewater and water supply infrastructure.
• Experience leading complex infrastructure design and overseeing technical project delivery.
• A thorough understanding of New Zealand engineering standards, consenting processes and local authority requirements.
• Proficiency with relevant engineering design and modelling software.
• Proven experience managing projects, budgets, resources and client relationships.
• Strong communication

We view diversity as a strength and welcome applications from anyone who has what it takes, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background.