Senior - Development Engineer

Selwyn District Council; Rolleston; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work

Life insurance

Sick leave from day one

Wellbeing days

Volunteer days

Extra paid leave

Discounts with local businesses

Job summary

Selwyn District Council seeks a Senior Development Engineer to influence how one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts develops. You will guide major development projects from concept to delivery, providing technical leadership and ensuring infrastructure is resilient and well-aligned with community needs.

You will review resource consent aspects, grant Engineering Approval, and support growth planning through technical advice and capacity assessments, collaborating with developers,

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering (Civil or Natural Resources) or equivalent.
• 10+ years’ experience in engineering design, review, or construction.
• Strong knowledge of NZ engineering standards and legislation (NZS 4404, RMA).
• Experience with resource consents and development approvals.
• Proven relationship-building skills across diverse stakeholder groups.

Responsibilities

• Providing senior technical leadership across development engineering activities.
• Reviewing and assessing engineering aspects of resource consent applications.
• Granting Engineering Approval and ensuring adherence to Council standards.
• Supporting district growth planning through technical advice and capacity assessments.
• Partnering with operational teams to ensure high-quality asset delivery.

Skills

Senior leadership

Technical leadership

Stakeholder relationships

Capacity planning

Education

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil or Natural Resources)

Job description

About the role

This is more than an engineering role. It's an opportunity to influence how one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts develops for decades to come.

As a Senior Development Engineer, you'll be a trusted technical expert, guiding major development projects from concept through to delivery. Working alongside developers, consultants, and Council teams, you'll help ensure new infrastructure is smart, resilient, and built to serve our communities well into the future.

You’ll provide technical leadership, drive quality outcomes, and play a pivotal role in balancing growth with long-term sustainability.

• Providing senior technical leadership across development engineering activities
• Reviewing and assessing engineering aspects of resource consent applications
• Granting Engineering Approval and ensuring adherence to Council standards
• Supporting district growth planning through technical advice and capacity assessments
• Partnering with operational teams to ensure high-quality asset delivery

About you

You're an experienced engineer who sees the bigger picture. You combine technical excellence with sound judgement, enjoy solving complex challenges, and can confidently navigate conversations with developers, consultants, and stakeholders.

You're motivated by the opportunity to create lasting community outcomes and thrive in an environment where your expertise genuinely influences decision-making.

• A Bachelor of Engineering (Civil or Natural Resources) (or equivalent)
• 10+ years' experience in engineering design, review, or construction
• Strong knowledge of NZ engineering standards and legislation (e.g. NZS 4404, RMA)
• Experience with resource consents and development approvals
• Proven relationship‑building skills across diverse stakeholder groups

What we offer

At Selwyn District Council, we're serious about supporting our people — professionally and personally.

• Flexible work options and genuine work‑life balance
• Life insurance and sick leave from day one
• Annual paid wellbeing and volunteer days
• Three days additional paid leave
• Discounts with local and national businesses

About us

Selwyn is one of the fastest-growing districts in New Zealand. We have a fantastic quality of life, great communities, and a thriving economy. Our Council works actively with residents to provide the services and facilities that help our communities to thrive and grow.

Our head office is based in Rolleston (only 25km from Christchurch), which offers an enviable family lifestyle, outstanding local facilities and an easy drive to the ski fields, rivers and hills that make up Canterbury's stunning landscape.

• Be a good human
• Be brave - Think differently
• Better together- Make it happen for Selwyn.

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are committed to working with our Treaty partner to deliver on our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Ready to help shape Selwyn's future?