Three Waters Engineering Lead

Grada Recruitment; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership role

Mentoring

Professional development

Vehicle available

Competitive salary

Job summary

Grada Recruitment – Christchurch, South Island is seeking an experienced Three Waters engineer to provide technical leadership and hands-on design across a diverse project portfolio. You will lead a team of water and infrastructure professionals, mentor engineers and help shape the future direction of the water capability.

The role combines technical delivery with team leadership, hydraulic design and client engagement across civil and land development projects.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years' civil/water engineering experience.
• Strong capability across 3Waters infrastructure and hydraulic design.
• Chartered status preferred, near-charter considered.
• Leader with mentoring ability and problem-solving mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical delivery across 3Waters and infrastructure projects.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to a team of around 15.
• Undertake hydraulic design calculations and modelling.
• Work with PCSWMM, EPANET, HEC-HMS and Civil 3D.
• Review designs, calculations and technical documentation.
• Support project planning, delivery and client relationships.
• Contribute to land development and wider civil projects.
• Help develop technical capability and consistency across the team.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Hydraulic design

Project planning

Client relationships

Technical direction

Team leadership

Education

Chartered status preferred

Tools

PCSWMM

EPANET

HEC-HMS

Civil 3D

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Grada Recruitment – Christchurch, South Island

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Three Waters engineer ready to combine technical expertise with genuine leadership responsibility.

About the company

Join a well-established, locally owned South Island consultancy with more than 90 years of history. The Christchurch team brings together experienced civil, water and land development professionals, with a strong culture of knowledge sharing and close access to senior leaders and directors.

About the role

This is a new position created from genuine growth and the need for dedicated technical leadership across 3Waters. You'll provide technical direction across a team of around 15 water and infrastructure professionals, while continuing to work hands-on across a varied project portfolio.

Your work will span 3Waters infrastructure design, reticulated networks, pump stations, reservoirs and stormwater management, as well as supporting projects across the wider civil and land development team. There's plenty of scope to influence how projects are delivered, mentor engineers and help shape the future direction of the water capability.

What's on offer

• A newly created leadership role with real scope to influence
• A mix of technical delivery, mentoring and team leadership
• Variety across water infrastructure and land development projects
• Strong access to experienced engineers and company directors
• Professional development and support to maintain CPD requirements
• Subsidised Southern Cross health insurance, EAP and wellbeing initiatives
• A genuine commitment to environmental and community initiatives
• Competitive salary, tailored to experience and capability
• Vehicle available for the right level of seniority

Key responsibilities

• Lead technical delivery across 3Waters and infrastructure projects
• Provide guidance and mentoring to a team of around 15
• Undertake hydraulic design calculations and modelling
• Work with tools including PCSWMM, EPANET, HEC-HMS and Civil 3D
• Review designs, calculations and technical documentation
• Support project planning, delivery and client relationships
• Contribute to land development and wider civil projects
• Help develop technical capability and consistency across the team

What you will need

You’ll have at least 5 years' relevant civil/water engineering experience, with strong capability across 3Waters infrastructure and hydraulic design. Chartered status is preferred and reflects the level of the role, although candidates close to chartership with the right technical and leadership capability will be considered. Most importantly, you’ll be someone who enjoys solving technical problems but is also ready to lead, mentor and influence others.