Senior Process and Commissioning Engineer

Tauranga; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; 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 to deliver safe, efficient water and wastewater services for Tauranga. You will set the standard for commissioning new assets, keep process documentation up to date, and ensure changes are well managed across City Waters division.

In this role you will lead process design from feasibility through handover, troubleshoot with operations and automation teams, drive optimization of treatment processes, monitor KPIs,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Process Engineering; Chartered status and/or post-grad in commissioning.
• 10–15 years of experience in process or commissioning roles.
• Attention to detail, problem-solving, and risk management across projects.
• Excellent communication and ability to guide/train teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead process design and commissioning from feasibility through handover.
• Troubleshoot with operations and automation engineers.
• Drive optimization of treatment processes for efficiency and sustainability.
• Define and monitor KPIs with treatment managers.
• Maintain P&IDs, functional descriptions and process docs.
• Lead process risk assessments (HAZOPs, SIDs, etc.).
• Collaborate across mechanical, civil, electrical and digital teams.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Risk management

Team guidance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Process Engineering

Chartered Professional Engineer status

Post-grad qualification in commissioning

Job description

Senior Process and Commissioning Engineer

8 Oct 2026

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-enuring 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.

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.

If 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.

If you need any support or adjustments to take part in our recruitment process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail]

Applications will close Sunday 1st November

• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.
• Tauranga City Council does not accept unsolicited contact or applications from recruitment agencies. We will not pay fees or commissions related to unsolicited contact.