Senior Drinking Water Engineer & Operations Leader

Engage Recruitment Support; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Birthday leave

WFH flexibility

Wellbeing benefits

Flu vaccination

EAP access

Southern Cross scheme

Job summary

Hawke’s Bay Water Partners seeks a Principal Water Engineer to lead its drinking water operations, ensuring safety, compliance and reliable service in Hastings, NZ. You will oversee day‑to‑day treatment, guide staff, manage budgets and coordinate with capital delivery teams on projects and commissioning.

The role combines strategic leadership with occasional hands‑on involvement for escalations and commissioning, and requires an established track record in regulated water environments.

Qualifications

• Leadership of a five‑person team in a regulated drinking water setting.
• Strong understanding of drinking water standards and public health requirements.
• Experience directing operational teams with regulatory and financial accountability.
• Experience leading capital projects, commissioning and handover.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of five staff and direct day‑to‑day drinking water treatment operations.
• Accountable for service performance, public health protection, regulatory compliance and financial management.
• Collaborate with capital delivery teams to ensure safe, compliant, reliable services and future‑oriented performance.
• Provide hands‑on support for escalations, commissioning activities and specialist technical issues.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Financial management

Technical oversight

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Engineering

Job description

Hawke’s Bay Water Partners seeks a Principal Water Engineer to lead its drinking water operations, ensuring safety, compliance and reliable service in Hastings, NZ. You will oversee day‑to‑day treatment, guide staff, manage budgets and coordinate with capital delivery teams on projects and commissioning.

The role combines strategic leadership with occasional hands‑on involvement for escalations and commissioning, and requires an established track record in regulated water environments.