Senior Project Engineer - Queenstown

McConnell Dowell; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

McConnell Dowell is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to lead civil infrastructure delivery across Otago and Southland from Queenstown. Reporting to the Project Manager, you will manage multiple projects, drive technical excellence and build strong client relationships in Queenstown, Dunedin, Invercargill and beyond.

You’ll provide leadership to Project Engineers and Supervisors, develop tender submissions, and partner with clients to identify future opportunities while ensuring safety, quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent.
• 10+ years delivering civil infrastructure projects in New Zealand.
• Strong knowledge of NZS3910 contracts and tender submissions.
• Proven leadership and client relationship management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination and delivery of civil infrastructure projects across Otago and Southland.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to Project Engineers, Site Engineers and Supervisors.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships across Queenstown, Dunedin, Invercargill and the wider Southern Region.
• Identify future project opportunities and support long-term partnerships with clients.
• Prepare and contribute to tender submissions, estimates and construction programmes.

Skills

Project delivery

Client relationships

Mentoring

Budget management

Contract knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in Civil Engineering

Job description

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Project Engineer to join our Southland/Otago team based in Queenstown.

Reporting directly to the Project Manager, this is an exciting opportunity for an experienced civil engineering professional to lead the successful delivery of infrastructure projects across the Otago and Southland regions while building strong relationships with clients throughout Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill.

You will play a key role in both project delivery and business growth. In addition to managing engineering activities across multiple projects, you will work closely with clients, identify upcoming opportunities, contribute to tender submissions, and support the continued growth of McConnell Dowell's presence throughout the lower South Island.

The ideal candidate will be based in Queenstown but expected to travel throughout the region weekly depending on workload.

Responsibilities include

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of civil infrastructure projects across Otago and Southland.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to Project Engineers, Site Engineers and Supervisors.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships across Queenstown, Dunedin, Invercargill and the wider Southern Region.
• Work collaboratively with clients to identify future project opportunities and support long‑term partnerships.
• Prepare and contribute to competitive tender submissions, estimates, methodologies, construction programmes and project delivery strategies.
• Assist with business development activities, including client presentations, tender interviews and early contractor involvement opportunities.
• Coordinate subcontractors, consultants and suppliers to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards.
• Manage project programmes, budgets, procurement and commercial performance.
• Review engineering designs, construction methodologies, temporary works and project documentation.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, quality requirements and company procedures.
• Champion Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality (HS&E) excellence across all projects.
• Foster a collaborative team culture while mentoring and developing junior engineering staff.

What you’ll need

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent tertiary qualification.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience delivering civil infrastructure projects within New Zealand.
• Demonstrated experience as a Senior Project Engineer or Project Engineer delivering complex civil infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of NZS3910 contracts, construction methodologies and project delivery.
• Proven experience managing project budgets, programmes, procurement and commercial performance.
• Experience preparing tender submissions, methodologies, pricing support and bid documentation.
• Strong client relationship management skills with the ability to develop new business opportunities.
• Experience working directly with local authorities, consultants, developers and key stakeholders.
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to mentor and develop engineering teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and sound contractual understanding.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive approach with excellent problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• Strong working knowledge of Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality (HS&E) requirements.
• Full New Zealand Driver Licence.

About Us

McConnell Dowell - Creative Construction

Our purpose isProviding a Better Life. We do that through delivering projects that connect, support and sustain communities, and through providing career opportunities that challenge, reward and grow our people.

From remote major resources and energy projects to city‑shaping transport and water infrastructure, we have constructed thousands of high‑quality, complex projects for our customers and communities over more than 60 years, in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.

Why join us?

The work you’ll do will have a tangible positive impact on people’s lives, including yours. The diversity of our projects, roles and locations means greater development opportunities. We invest in our people to set and reach personal and professional goals and we have some of the best mentoring minds in the business to help you do that. Because when you grow, we all grow.

McConnell Dowell actively seeks and celebrates diversity, inclusion, and individuality. In a culture low on ego and high on support, we encourage everyone to make an impact. We're big enough to take on community‑shaping projects, but agile enough for you to have an influence on how we do things.

So, join us, be you, and help us create better together.

We are an equal opportunity employer. People of all ages, abilities, sexual orientation, gender identities and Torres Strait Islanders are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please note all successful applicants must hold valid work rights for New Zealand and/or Pacific Islands and pass a satisfactory pre‑employment medical which includes drug and alcohol checks.

This role is being sourced through McConnell Dowell directly and not accepting applications via external recruitment agencies.