Technical Principal - Water

WSP; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in Christchurch seeks a Technical Principal for Water to lead technical direction on major water projects across drinking water, wastewater and stormwater. You will apply sound engineering judgement, strengthen risk practices and deliver high-quality client-ready work.

You will mentor colleagues, support bid activities, and help position WSP as the premier water consultant in Aotearoa New Zealand, while collaborating across the water sector and driving innovation.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of professional experience leading complex water projects.
• Strong track record in technical leadership and governance.
• Experience delivering clear client-ready reports and documentation.
• Commercial experience with bids, proposals, and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical direction of key water projects from conception to delivery.
• Mentor and coach team members, build capability and support succession planning.
• Develop trusted client relationships and support bids and market opportunities.
• Position WSP as the premier water consultant in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project governance

Peer review

Client collaboration

Education

CPEng NZ

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. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives enabling you to do the best work of your life. You can experience a world of opportunities to shape a career as unique as you.

WSP is one of the world’s top professional services firms, bringing together some of the brightest engineers, advisors and scientists from across the globe. We exist to shape communities to advance humanity. We see the world through a Future Ready® lens, fuelled by a shared commitment to making a positive impact—one project and community at a time.

Technical Principal - Water | Christchurch

Bring your technical leadership to some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important water challenges.

As Technical Principal - Water, you will help shape the future of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater, combining deep a three waters perspective.

This is an excellent opportunity to lead the technical direction of key and strategic projects, from early planning and investigations through to delivery and construction. You will apply sound engineering judgement, strengthen technical review and risk practices, and produce high-quality work that gives clients confidence.

Your influence will extend beyond individual projects. Working collaboratively across the water sector, you will mentor and coach others, build capability, contribute to succession planning and support an inclusive culture where people can do their best work. You will also develop trusted client relationships, support bids and proposals, identify market opportunities and help position WSP as the premier water consultant in Aotearoa New Zealand.

You may also act as Project Director, providing governance over scope, budgets, delivery plans, quality, programme and commercial outcomes. Active involvement in the wider water community, industry developments and technical innovation will be an important part of your contribution.

About you:

Ideally you’ll bring:

• CPEng NZ
• 15+ years’ professional experience, with proven technical capability to lead complex work and add value from planning through to construction.
• A strong track record in technical leadership, project governance, peer review and the delivery of clear, high-quality reports, drawings and other client-ready documentation.
• Commercial experience preparing and reviewing bids, proposals, fee estimates, programmes and budgets, with a clear understanding of commercial risk and client value.
• A collaborative and client-centred approach, with the confidence to work effectively across all levels, build meaningful relationships and influence technical ideas, innovations and solutions.

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

We are proud to have the blueprint of Aotearoa New Zealand in our DNA and our 2,000+ expert professionals in 24 offices are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 75,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.