Wastewater Treatment Process Lead

Aurecon Group; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurecon Group seeks a Technical Director, Wastewater Treatment (Process) in Auckland to set the technical direction for complex wastewater projects and lead a high-performing team. This senior position involves client engagement, project delivery oversight, and growing Aurecon's water practice across New Zealand.

You will guide design, delivery, and commissioning efforts, leveraging first-principles engineering and cutting-edge digital tools while collaborating with global experts.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership in municipal wastewater process engineering.
• Experience with major plant upgrades and complex projects.
• Experience in client engagement and winning work.

Responsibilities

• Set technical direction for wastewater treatment projects from concept to commissioning.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary Auckland-based team.
• Engage clients, shape opportunities, and grow a national water practice.

Skills

Technical leadership in wastewater

Client engagement

People leadership

Commercial judgement

Education

Engineering degree

Professional registration or chartership

Job description

Technical Director, Wastewater Treatment (Process) Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland | New Zealand

Set the technical direction for some of Aotearoa New Zealand's most complex wastewater treatment programmes, while building the team and market presence that will shape the next phase of Aurecon's Water business. At Aurecon, we are engineering optimists who see the world differently. We ask what's possible and turn ideas into impact. Here, you'll bring your expertise to challenges that matter, alongside people who think boldly and are determined to make a difference.

What you'll do

As Technical Director, Wastewater Treatment (Process), you'll lead and grow our Auckland-based wastewater treatment process capability. This senior role combines technical authority, people leadership, client engagement and business growth across major treatment engagements in Aotearoa New Zealand, with access to Aurecon's Australian and wider global expertise. International candidates with strong wastewater treatment credentials and an interest in relocating to Auckland are encouraged to apply.

Set technical and delivery direction for complex wastewater treatment programmes, from concept and option development through detailed design, commissioning and optimisation. Guide clients through treatment process decisions, risks and trade-offs, building trusted relationships with utility, council and infrastructure leaders. Lead, connect and develop a talented team of water and wastewater treatment specialists, creating clear pathways for technical and professional growth. Shape priority opportunities and bids, strengthen market presence and help grow Aurecon's treatment business across New Zealand. Lift technical quality through first-principles engineering, sound judgement, effective assurance, and practical use of technology and digital tools.

Your experience and expertise

Demonstrated technical leadership in municipal wastewater treatment process engineering, including major or complex plant upgrades. Depth in treatment process design and delivery. Experience in areas such as biological nutrient removal, digestion and biosolids, advanced treatment, resource recovery, commissioning or optimisation will be highly valued. A strong record of client engagement, opportunity shaping and contributing to winning work. People leadership experience, including coaching, capability building and leading across disciplines, locations and organisational boundaries. Commercial judgement across scope, quality, risk and financial outcomes. A relevant tertiary qualification in engineering or a related discipline, with relevant professional registration or chartership through Engineering New Zealand, IChemE or an equivalent professional body.

How we support your growth

Engineering possibilities for your career means having room to shape what comes next. You bring your ambition and commitment to lifelong learning, and we provide the foundation and development to help you turn your aspirations into achievement. The Aurecon Way guides how we think, act and work together, what we value and how we invest in our people. You'll be part of a culture built on clear expectations, optimism and determination, where you can feel safe, included and empowered to speak openly, think boldly and deliver brilliantly.

Ready to engineer possibilities?

Te whakahā i ngā whakaaro | Breathing life into our ideas, thoughts, views Kia māia, kia kaha, mahi tahi | Be bold, be strong, work as one We've re-imagined engineering. Aurecon is an engineering and infrastructure advisory company, but not as you know it! Think engineering. Think again.