Senior Water & Wastewater Networks Engineer - contract

Peak Recruitment New Zealand Ltd; Wellington, Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 96,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Tiaki Wai in Wellington is seeking a senior water and wastewater networks engineer for a six-month contract. You will bring sound engineering judgement to assess conditions, risks and renewal priorities across networks.

This hands-on role involves working with contractors and specialists, developing clear scopes for renewal works, and delivering practical, defensible recommendations. The position offers flexible arrangements and an hourly rate, with opportunities to contribute immediately to

Qualifications

• Senior water/wastewater networks experience.
• Ability to assess condition and risk across networks.

Responsibilities

• Investigate network and asset issues on the ground.
• Assess renewal priorities and make engineering recommendations.
• Develop clear scopes for renewal and improvement works.
• Work with contractors, operational teams and specialists.
• Provide experienced technical judgement and support to the team.

Skills

Water/wastewater networks

Job description

Employer: Tiaki Wai

• 6-month consulting / contract assignment for experienced water & wastewater engineer
• Bring your judgement and experience to critical network and asset renewal decisions
• Wellington | Hourly rate | Flexible working arrangements

About the Role

Are you a senior water and wastewater networks engineer working independently, consulting, or open to your next contract assignment? Tiaki Wai is looking for someone who can step in quickly, bring sound engineering judgement and add experienced capability across its water and wastewater networks.

This is a hands‑on senior engineering role where your experience and judgement will genuinely matter. You’ll work across existing water and wastewater networks, investigating recurring asset issues, assessing condition and risk, and helping determine the right response — whether that means further investigation, targeted intervention or renewal.

You’ll be close to the work, with opportunities to get out on site, work directly with contractors and technical specialists, and turn engineering insight into clear scopes that can move into delivery.

You'll be involved in

• Investigating network and asset issues and understanding what is really happening on the ground.
• Assessing condition, risk and renewal priorities and making sound engineering recommendations
• Developing clear scopes for renewal and improvement works
• Working with contractors, operational teams and specialists to move work forward
• Providing experienced technical judgement and supporting others in the team where needed

What you will bring

You’ll have strong practical experience across water and/or wastewater networks, with the confidence to make sound engineering decisions, take ownership and work through issues pragmatically.

You’ll be someone who can quickly understand a problem, assess the risks, determine what needs to happen next and communicate that clearly to the people involved.

Key experience and strengths will include

• Solid experience in water and/or wastewater infrastructure, renewals or asset investigation
• Strong engineering judgement and the confidence to make practical, defensible decisions.
• Experience working with contractors, operational teams and technical specialists.
• The ability to work independently, while knowing when specialist input or escalation is needed.
• Clear communication and a collaborative, solutions-focused approach

Experience gained within a water utility, council, consultancy or contractor environment could all be relevant.

Why consider this contract?

This is an opportunity to work on essential water infrastructure in the Wellington region, in a role where your engineering experience can make an immediate difference.

You’ll have exposure to a broad range of network assets and engineering challenges, with the autonomy to apply your experience and contribute valuable capability to a team that needs additional senior support.

The engagement is expected to be approximately six months, paid on an hourly rate, with flexibility around working arrangements.

If you are available for contract work, or would consider a six‑month assignment, we would be very interested in hearing from you.

Applicants for safety sensitive roles will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Tiaki Wai.