Technical Principal Engineer - Water

WSP; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Positive company culture

Opportunities for professional growth

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in Hamilton, New Zealand is seeking a Technical Principal Engineer for its Water Division. The role demands a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in water and wastewater infrastructure. Responsibilities include technical leadership, project reviews, and managing budgets. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering and strive for excellence in project delivery, contributing positively to the community. This position offers an opportunity to be part of a top employer in New Zealand.

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ professional experience in civil and/or water infrastructure.
• Strong commercial awareness in managing budgets, risk, and contracts.
• Registration as CPEng or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical reviews for complex water infrastructure projects.
• Ensure compliance with budgets and financial objectives.
• Provide design guidance and verification for projects.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project delivery

Water and wastewater infrastructure

Education

Bachelor of Civil Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

As the premier design, engineering and environmental consultancy in Aotearoa New Zealand, WSP exists to future‑proof our cities and environment. We are proud to have the blueprint of Aotearoa New Zealand in our DNA and our 2,500 expert professionals in 35 offices are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long‑lasting impacts on the communities we serve.

Technical Principal Engineer – Water, Hamilton

We are looking for a senior leader within our national Water Division who will provide technical leadership on water and wastewater projects across Kirikiriroa Hamilton and the wider Waikato region, as well as nationally. A subject matter expert with a proven track record of successful water and wastewater infrastructure project delivery.

This is a role for technical leaders who understand the challenges involved in moving projects from planning through to construction, and who are skilled at driving project outcomes through technical excellence and genuine value add.

A technical leader who enjoys developing people and takes satisfaction in seeing their teams grow and their ideas turned into real‑world solutions—delivered on time, on budget, and contributing to the future of Kirikiriroa Hamilton and the wider Waikato.

Key responsibilities include:

• Prepare and/or technically review studies, plans and reports, participate in public consultation/engagement programmes, take a lead strategic view across projects, formulate advice to clients on technical issues when required.
• Be recognised in WSP as a technical lead in water and wastewater with a focus on large pipelines, including experience in trenchless installation, pump stations and underground structures, and provide technical inputs into projects and proposals.
• Ensure that agreed budgets and financial objectives are in place that maximise revenues and minimise costs.
• Lead technical the technical review process for complex water infrastructure projects, bringing together other discipline reviews and manage the overall review and verification process.
• Undertake technical reviews for water and wastewater projects at both a local and national level from project inception to completion, ensuring that technical solutions are sound and add value
• Maintain an up‑to‑date knowledge of all relevant plans, standards, legislation, codes of practice, and best practice in areas of competence.
• Effectively plan projects and assist project managers to correctly scope their projects with appropriate inputs, outputs, implementation activities, verification and technical review.
• Lead design on projects and programmes of work through day‑to‑day design guidance, verification and review, providing robust and future ready solutions that meet client and community needs.
• Provide commercial leadership and market knowledge with experience of contracts, risk, variations, cash management and sub‑consultancy arrangements.
• Responsible for coordination and delivery of design package deliverables on time with fit for purpose quality and value for money.

About you:

You’re a respected engineering professional with a strong reputation for technical excellence, leadership, and client‑focused delivery. You’re comfortable operating at both strategic and hands‑on levels and enjoy solving complex challenges.

• A Bachelor of Civil Engineering (or closely related discipline)
• 15+ years’ professional experience in civil and/or water infrastructure and experience and knowledge of New Zealand engineering codes, legislation and best practices
• Registration as CPEng or equivalent (or actively working towards)
• Strong commercial awareness and experience managing budgets, risk and contracts
• Design, construction/supervision experience in water supply and wastewater infrastructure, including pipelines, pumpstations and treatment facilities.
• Preferably minimum of 10 years professional experience in a design delivery related discipline.
• Preferably minimum of 5 years experience in an infrastructure design related leadership position.
• A current, clean full driver licence

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

WSP NZ has proudly earned its place among the top five employers to work for in Aotearoa New Zealand, as recognised in Randstad's latest employer survey. In addition, WSP has been listed as one of TIME’s 2023 top 100 companies globally for employees.

Join our close‑knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

We will review applications as they come in, so if this opportunity sounds like you, don’t wait to apply!