Chief Engineer

Lead engineering excellence across Waikato’s flood protection, river management and land drainage infrastructure portfolio valued at over $1.1 billion.

Waikato Regional Council is seeking a highly experienced Chief Engineer to provide strategic and technical leadership across major operational and capital programmes that protect communities and the environment.

This influential role suits a senior engineer with proven experience delivering large-scale catchment or regional infrastructure projects, strong governance and stakeholder capability, and a passion for innovation, resilience and partnership across the Waikato region.

• Lead strategic engineering for Waikato’s flood, river & catchment systems.
• Relocation costs + Additional Leave + WFH +Flexible Working + Extra Sick Leave.
• Training and Development Opportunities Provided + Annual Salary Review.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

For this position you will need to be a highly experienced and credible senior engineer who brings strong professional judgement, technical authority and the confidence to operate in complex, high-profile environments. You have a proven ability to guide engineering standards and project pathways from early investigation and design through to delivery, while providing trusted advice to senior leaders and elected members.

You are known for building effective partnerships across iwi, industry, research organisations and communities, and for contributing sound engineering insight to policy, planning and statutory processes. Although you may not lead large teams directly, you demonstrate strong leadership presence, mentor others, and influence outcomes across multi-disciplinary groups. You are comfortable working in politically sensitive settings and contributing specialist advice during emergency and civil defence events to support regional resilience.This role contributes to a team known for its respectful, supportive and stable working environment. We are growing our capability so we can continue delivering high-quality work for our communities, and we’re looking for people who can bring their expertise and calm professionalism into a period of change.

Mō te tangata | Who we are looking for

We are looking for a highly experienced and skilled engineering leader with 15 or more years of relevant professional experience, including significant time operating in senior or principal roles within complex infrastructure environments. You will bring the confidence and professional judgement required to provide authoritative engineering advice in politically sensitive and technically complex settings, while balancing community expectations, technical constraints and available resources.

You will be a highly effective communicator, able to engage constructively with councillors, landowners, tangata whenua, industry partners and Council colleagues, and to build strong, trusted relationships across organisational and disciplinary boundaries. Comfortable working with uncertainty and change, you will demonstrate sound decision-making in ambiguous and fast-moving situations. As a values-driven leader, you will foster a collaborative, open and constructive culture, champion high standards of health, safety and wellbeing, and understand the importance of working in genuine partnership with tangata whenua by incorporating te ao Māori perspectives into decision-making and delivery.

Mō ngā pūkenga | Qualifications and experience

• Tertiary qualification in civil, environmental, natural resources engineering or a related field, along with postgraduate engineering study.
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) or recognised international equivalent.
• At least 15 years of relevant engineering experience, ideally in civil or environmental engineering.
• Proven experience in project and programme management.
• Experience operating within legislative and statutory frameworks relevant to local government infrastructure, including environmental and resource management processes is desirable, but not essential.
• Emergency management or response experience or training is desirable, but not essential.
• Familiarity with New Zealand Standard Contract conditions such as NZS3910 and NZS3912.
• Strong financial literacy and commercial understanding.
• Experience working with governance groups, regulatory frameworks or public-facing processes is an advantage.
• Skilled in planning, prioritising and working to timelines and budget.
• Full New Zealand driver licence and fit to work around waterways and varied terrain.

Mō te tīma | About the team

In this position you will be reporting to the infrastructure Manager, this position is part of the Integrated Catchment Management Directorate, which manages infrastructure assets of $1.1 billion to support a healthy environment, resilient communities, and a sustainable Waikato.

The team works across multiple disciplines including engineering, asset management, environmental science, operations and policy. Responsible for the management and enhancement of significant catchment and river infrastructure across the region.

Operates in partnership with tangata whenua and local communities to deliver meaningful, well-integrated outcomes.

Encourages innovation, continuous improvement and a collaborative approach to solving complex challenges.

Mō mātou | About us

We work hard to care for the mighty Waikato, so current and future generations will benefit from a healthy environment, strong economy, and vibrant communities.

Our mahi is as diverse as the region we care for and the people who share it. Our work helps look after our region's water, soil, air, geothermal areas and coasts - so we can all enjoy these precious resources for generations to come.

Customers sit at the heart of everything we do, and all staff have an important role to play in the delivery of exceptional customer service.

If you’d like to understand more about what we do please click here The work we do | Waikato Regional Council.

By partnering with iwi and working with many others in our communities, our collective kaitiakitanga will make the Waikato region even better. Together, we’ll create a sustainable future that will make a positive difference to people’s lives.

To learn more about what we offer you, view our available staff benefits here.

Mō te tuku tono | How to apply

• Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and this role will close on Sunday 1 March 2026.
• If you have any questions about the role, please contact ICM Director – Greg Ryan at greg.ryan@waikatoregion.govt.nz
• Please click ‘apply’ and include your CV & cover letter as a pdf.
• Apply now!