Principal Waters and Civil Engineering

Marketplace; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 127,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life cover up to $300,000

Critical illness protection

Insurance discounts

Will services

Mortgage guidance

Job summary

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) seeks a Principal Waters and Civil to shape the future of its infrastructure. You will provide high‑level strategic advice to senior leaders and drive long‑term planning and investment for three waters and civil assets.

The role can be based in Auckland or Wellington with some domestic travel. You will lead asset lifecycle management, risk assessment and engagement with consultants, contractors and stakeholders to ensure resilient, compliant assets delivering

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in three waters infrastructure planning, operations and asset management.
• Leadership experience and ability to operate at a senior level.
• Strong expertise in infrastructure planning and asset lifecycle management.
• Experience engaging with consultants, contractors and service providers.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• Must hold Class 1 Full Driver's Licence and be willing to travel domestically.

Responsibilities

• Lead long term infrastructure planning for 3 waters and civil infrastructure.
• Asset management, risk management and condition assessment.
• Provide input into consultants' designs and operations team.
• Ensure assets are compliant, resilient, and deliver required levels of service.
• Collaborate with senior leaders, contractors and stakeholders.

Skills

Three waters planning

Asset management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Consultant management

Strategic advisory

Civil engineering knowledge

Job description

## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role**Mō te tūnga | About the role**Play a key role in shaping the future of NZDF's infrastructure as Principal Waters and Civil. In this influential position, you'll provide high-quality strategic advice to senior leaders while driving long-term planning and investment decisions across critical civil engineering assets. Your expertise will help ensure NZDF's estate remains sustainable, resilient, and ready to support operational capability for years to come.The main responsibilities for this position include:* Lead long term infrastructure planning for 3 waters and civil infrastructure.* Asset management, risk management and condition assessment.* Input into and review of consultants designs* Provide professional advice and input for the operations team.* Ensure assets are appropriately managed and operated to achieve required quality and capacity criteria.* Ensure assets are compliant and resilient in terms of health and safety, security, regulations and consistent delivery of required levels of service.This position can be based in either Auckland or Wellington. Please can you indicate your preference within your application. Specific details to be discussed with candidates who are selected for an interview.The salary range for this role is $126,827 to $146,989, inclusive of a 4% superannuation contribution. Starting salaries reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.**Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience**Bring your expertise to a role that directly influences the future of NZDF's infrastructure estate. Working at a strategic level, you'll lead the planning, management and resilience of critical water and civil assets while partnering with senior leaders, contractors and stakeholders to deliver sustainable, operationally focused outcomes.To be successful in this role, you'll bring:* Extensive experience in three waters infrastructure planning, operations and asset management.* Leadership experience and contributing effectively as a member of a leadership team.* Strong expertise in infrastructure planning, asset lifecycle management and the delivery of complex water infrastructure programmes.* Broad technical knowledge across civil engineering disciplines, enabling a holistic approach to infrastructure management.* Experience engaging, managing and influencing consultants, contractors, and service providers to achieve quality outcomes.* Exceptional stakeholder engagement, negotiation and relationship management skills.* Well-developed leadership, communication, and decision-making abilities, with the confidence to provide trusted advice and drive strategic outcomes.This role requires some domestic travel as you will be working with a team who are geographically dispersed.You need to have a Class 1 Full Driver's Licence.**Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you**Safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the .NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all - irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics - NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.**Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply**Applications close on **Wednesday 25 November 2026**.Use the links on this page where you'll be directed to the Defence Careers website.**Please Note:*** All applications must be made online, via the Defence Careers website. Each listing contains the Position Description.* Your cover letter will be a key part of our selection process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key activities outlined in the Advert and Position Description.* Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug-screening test prior to any offer of employment being made.NZDF Employees/Members - please apply internally via the HR Toolkit; this will ensure that you are visible as an internal candidate.NZDF Contractors - please apply via the Defence Careers website.NZDF Reserves - please apply via the Defence Careers website if you cannot access the HR Toolkit.**Please Note:**To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria. Here's what you need to know:Higher Level Security Clearance* You **must** be a New Zealand citizen **or** you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence **or** have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa.* At minimum, you **must** hold New Zealand Permanent Residence **or** have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, **and** you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last ten (10) years.* You **must** have a ten (10) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level.If you do not meet the minimum criteria, unfortunately, your application will not be accepted. We do welcome your application at a time when you will meet the requirements.| Location: | Wellington - Wairarapa |