Technical Principal Engineer - Water

About WSP

WSP is a leading design, engineering, and environmental consultancy in Aotearoa New Zealand, working to help future-proof cities and natural environments. The business has 2,500 specialists across 35 offices in New Zealand, united by a shared goal of delivering lasting positive outcomes for communities. As part of a global organisation, WSP offers the chance to contribute to major projects, collaborate with highly skilled colleagues, and grow your career in a culture that values curiosity, fresh thinking, and diverse viewpoints.

Role Overview

WSP is seeking a senior technical leader for its national Water Division in Hamilton. The role will provide expert guidance across water and wastewater projects in Hamilton, the wider Waikato region, and also on a national basis. The successful candidate will be a recognised subject matter expert with a strong history of delivering water and wastewater infrastructure projects successfully.

This position is suited to someone who understands how to move projects from early planning through to construction, and who can improve outcomes through technical quality, practical advice, and added value. It also suits a leader who enjoys mentoring others and helping build capable, high-performing teams. Depending on the person appointed, the role can include people leadership, whether they are just beginning that journey or already experienced in leading teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare or technically assess studies, plans, and reports, contribute to community consultation and engagement activities, take a strategic view across multiple projects, and provide technical advice to clients when needed.
• Act as a technical authority in water and wastewater, with particular strength in large pipelines, trenchless installation, pump stations, and underground structures, while also supporting project and proposal inputs.
• Set and support budgets and financial targets that improve revenue and keep costs under control.
• Lead the technical checking process for complex water infrastructure work, coordinating reviews across disciplines and overseeing verification.
• Carry out technical reviews for water and wastewater projects locally and nationally from start to finish, making sure solutions are robust and add real value.
• Keep knowledge current on relevant standards, legislation, codes of practice, plans, and industry best practice.
• Help plan projects and support project managers in defining scope, inputs, outputs, implementation steps, verification, and technical review requirements.
• Lead design work across projects and programmes by giving day-to-day design direction, verification, and review, producing practical, future-ready solutions that meet client and community needs.
• Provide commercial input and market insight, including experience with contracts, risk, variations, cash flow, and subconsultant arrangements.
• Coordinate and deliver design package outputs on schedule, with appropriate quality and value for money.

About You

You are a respected engineering professional known for technical capability, leadership, and client-focused delivery. You are comfortable working at both strategic and hands-on levels and enjoy addressing complex problems.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Civil Engineering or a closely related qualification.
• At least 15 years of professional experience in civil engineering and/or water infrastructure, along with working knowledge of New Zealand engineering codes, legislation, and best practice.
• CPEng registration, or an equivalent credential, or active progress toward it.
• Strong commercial understanding with experience handling budgets, risk, and contracts.
• Experience in the design, construction, or supervision of water supply and wastewater infrastructure, including pipelines, pump stations, and treatment facilities.
• Preferably 10 or more years of experience in a design-delivery-related role.
• Preferably 5 or more years in a leadership position within infrastructure design.
• A current full driver licence with a clean record.

Additional Information

WSP NZ has been recognised as one of the top five employers to work for in Aotearoa New Zealand in Randstad's latest employer survey. It has also been named among TIME’s 2023 top 100 companies globally for employees. The company offers the chance to join a close-knit community of professionals committed to making a positive difference in local and global communities. Applications are reviewed as they are received, so interested candidates are encouraged not to delay.