Senior Process and Commissioning Engineer

Tauranga City Council; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks' annual leave

Flexible hours

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Tauranga City Council is seeking a Senior Process and Commissioning Engineer in Tauranga, NZ. You will lead process design, commissioning, and handover, working with operations and automation teams to resolve issues and implement innovative solutions for safer, more efficient water services.

You will drive KPI-based performance improvements, maintain critical process documentation, and lead safety reviews while collaborating with mechanical, civil, electrical, and digital engineering teams for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Process Engineering or related field.
• Chartered professional engineer status is a plus; post-graduate commissioning knowledge is encouraged.
• 10–15 years' experience in process or commissioning roles with risk awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead process design and commissioning from feasibility to handover.
• Troubleshoot with operations/automation engineers and trial new tech.
• Shape and optimise treatment processes for efficiency and sustainability.
• Set and monitor KPIs and report results to drive improvement.
• Maintain process documentation and change control (P&IDs, descriptions).
• Lead process risk assessments (HAZOPs, SIDs) and mitigate risks.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.

Skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Risk management

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Chemical/Process Engineering

Chartered Professional Engineer

Post-grad in commissioning

Job description

8 Oct 2026

Tau ake rā te moana nei, e papaki kau ana ki te ākau tangata, kakenga waka ka mauru te tohu ki te arearenga o Mauao, he pou herenga mōu, he pou hononga mōu, kia herea ki te tika, kia herea ki te pono. Kia mau, kia ita, kia ū - haumi e, hui e, tāiki e!

Te Tūranga | About the role

We're looking for a Senior Process and Commissioning Engineer to help us deliver safe, efficient water and wastewater services for Tauranga. You'll set the standard for how we commission new assets, keep process documentation up to date, and make sure changes are managed well across our City Waters division. You'll work closely with operations and technical teams to solve problems, improve performance, and embed good risk management.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead process design and commissioning: Provide technical leadership from feasibility through detailed design, commissioning, and handover - ensuring safe, robust and efficient process outcomes.
• Troubleshoot and innovate: Work closely with operations and automation engineers to resolve complex process issues and trial new technologies and approaches.
• Shape and optimise treatment processes: Drive continuous improvement by analysing plant performance, identifying optimisation opportunities, and implementing innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
• Set and monitor performance KPIs: Collaborate with treatment managers to define meaningful metrics and report on results to drive accountability and improvement.
• Own process documentation and change control: Keep P&IDs, functional descriptions and process documentation complete and up to date.
• Facilitate process risk assessments: Lead HAZOPs, SIDs and other process safety reviews, ensuring risks are identified and mitigated.
• Collaborate across disciplines: Build trusted relationships across mechanical, civil, structural, electrical, and digital engineering teams, to ensure practical integrated solutions.

City Waters plays a critical role in protecting our environment and supporting our growing city - across water supply, wastewater, stormwater and freshwater. You'll join a collaborative, community-focused team where your technical expertise makes a real difference.

Ngā Pukenga | What you’ll need to succeed

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or a related field. Bonus if you also have Chartered Professional Engineer status and/or post-grad qualification in commissioning.
• 10-15 years' experience in process or commissioning roles.
• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to provide assurance and manage risk across different project types.
• Excellent communication and the ability to guide and train teams.

Tō Tātou Kaunihera | About Tauranga City Council

At Tauranga City Council, our work has a direct impact on the city and the people who call it home. From planning for growth to delivering everyday services, our teams help shape a city we can all be proud of.

You're collaborative, forward-thinking, and community minded, you'll find meaningful work and opportunity here.

We offer a supportive and flexible workplace, with benefits including 5 weeks' annual leave, flexible hours and career development opportunities.

You can find out more about working at Tauranga City Council here.

Applications will close Sunday 1st November

We're committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those living with disabilities.

• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.

Job Description: Senior Process and Commissioning Engineer