Senior Development Engineer

Taituarā; Napier; On-site; NZD 115,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks annual leave

Discounted health insurance

Eye test subsidy

Retailer discounts

Study assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Quarterly values awards

Birthday vouchers

Social club

Free flu vaccinations

Job summary

Napier City Council seeks an experienced Senior Development Engineer to lead complex development proposals, provide technical leadership, and influence quality engineering outcomes for our city.

Based in Napier, this 40-hour-per-week role offers a package of NZD 115,239 to 124,440 per year (KiwiSaver included). You will mentor Development Engineers, collaborate with Water Services and Council teams, and help shape sustainable infrastructure for generations.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Development Engineering or Senior Development Engineering.
• Experience leading and mentoring engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of subdivision design, servicing, and infrastructure standards.
• Familiarity with the local government regulatory environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering assessment of complex, high-value development proposals.
• Provide senior technical leadership and quality assurance across the Development Engineering team.
• Influence engineering standards, policies and development outcomes for sustainable city growth.
• Collaborate with developers, consultants, Water Services and Council teams to deliver high-quality infrastructure.

Skills

Development engineering

Technical leadership

Mentoring engineers

Subdivision design

Infrastructure standards

Local government

Stakeholder communication

Job description

We're seeking an experienced Senior Development Engineer who combines strong technical expertise with an understanding of the local government environment. If you're confident navigating complex development proposals, providing technical leadership, and influencing quality engineering outcomes, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of our city.

As our Senior Development Engineer, you'll play a key role in ensuring new development meets the standards expected by our community today and for generations to come. Working across complex subdivision and infrastructure proposals, you'll provide expert engineering advice, mentor Development Engineers, and collaborate with developers, consultants, Water Services and Council teams to achieve practical, sustainable outcomes. You'll also contribute to improving engineering standards and processes while supporting the transition of development engineering functions as Water Services continues to evolve.

More than reviewing engineering applications, this is an opportunity to help shape the future of development engineering at Napier City Council. You'll influence engineering standards, mentor and support others, and work alongside Water Services during a significant period of change, helping create a consistent, future-focused approach that delivers quality infrastructure and sustainable growth for our community.

Te Āheinga - The Opportunity

• Lead the engineering assessment of complex, high-value development proposals that will shape Napier's future.
• Provide senior technical leadership, mentoring and quality assurance across the Development Engineering team.
• Influence engineering standards, policies and development outcomes that support sustainable city growth.
• Work alongside developers, consultants, Water Services and Council teams to deliver practical, high-quality infrastructure solutions.
• Support the transition of water-related development engineering functions, helping shape future ways of working across Council.
• Join a collaborative team where your technical expertise and engineering judgement will make a lasting impact on our community.
• Extensive experience in a Development Engineering or Senior Development Engineering role, with a proven ability to assess complex land development and infrastructure projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of subdivision design, servicing, engineering approvals and infrastructure standards.
• Experience working within, or closely alongside, local government, with an understanding of the legislative, regulatory and operational environment councils operate within.
• Confident providing technical leadership, mentoring engineers and making sound engineering decisions on complex proposals.
• Builds trusted relationships with developers, consultants and internal stakeholders through practical advice, balanced judgement and clear communication.
• Passionate about delivering quality infrastructure outcomes while continually improving engineering practices and supporting the development of others.
• 5 weeks' annual leave after 2 years service
• Discounted health insurance work scheme + Eye test subsidy
• Retailer discounts + study assistance
• Employee Assistance Program (OCP)
• Quarterly values awards + Birthday vouchers + Social club
• Free flu vaccinations (annual)

This is a permanent, full time opportunity working 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. You will be based in Napier.

The annual salary package for this role is $115,239 - $124,440 (including KiwiSaver), with the final offer depending on your skills and experience.

We will be interviewing applications as we receive them and may close the role when we have found the right person.

At Napier City Council, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and work to make our hiring process fair and accessible. If you need any support or adjustments during your application or interview, let us know—we’re happy to help!

Our success is grounded in strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, supported by our Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which builds cultural capability through education and training.

Before you join, you’ll need to complete pre-employment checks (including criminal background checks, with some roles requiring health screening and drug & alcohol testing). As an NCC employee, you may also be called on to support Civil Defence emergencies when our community needs us most.