Job Description

• Take ownership of end-to-end outcomes
• Delivery leadership
• Permanent, Wellington based

He kōrero mō mātou | About us:

At KiwiRail, we connect New Zealanders sustainably, powering economic growth and ensuring vital freight and passenger services run smoothly. Our mission, "Stronger Connections, Better New Zealand," highlights our dedication to sustainability and community well-being.

Our people make KiwiRail exceptional. By fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace, we empower everyone to contribute their best. If you’re passionate about innovation and safety, we’d love to welcome you aboard.

He whakamārama mō te tūranga | About the role:

This role is ideal for a Senior Project Engineer or technically minded Senior Project Manager. You’ll take ownership of end-to-end outcomes, combining hands-on technical input with project planning, stakeholder management, and delivery leadership.

You’ll be providing technical leadership and engineering assurance across complex, high-risk, and multi-disciplinary network intervention works. The role ensures that engineering solutions are technically robust, constructible, safe, and compliant, and that quality outcomes are achieved on site.

Responsibilities include planning, scoping and procuring design and delivery work packages, contract formation and management, quality management, performance management, solving design and delivery/site issues, monitoring and reporting progress against programme outcomes and measures, engineering quality verification, construction compliance and executing works safely and taking personal responsibility for their assigned work.

The role plays a key part in mentoring Project Engineers and Junior Project Engineers, supporting capability uplift and consistent engineering standards across the work bank.

You will:

• Lead technical planning, scoping and cost development for assigned complex projects and work packages, ensuring alignment with KiwiRail’s rail and investment strategies

• Build understanding of conceptual designs and support the conversion of business cases and early plans into fully scoped, approved, and resourced projects ready for successful delivery

• Provide senior engineering leadership across detailed design, construction, completion, commissioning and handover stages, delivering project outcomes and contributing to overall programme success

• Develop accurate and achievable project plans, schedules and detailed budgets in line with programme standards and scheduling requirements

• Support procurement, contract negotiations and initiation of contracted works to achieve project objectives

• Actively manage quality across all engineering disciplines and the delivery lifecycle, ensuring work by KiwiRail and external parties meets or exceeds safety and quality standards

• Support Project Managers and Senior Project Managers with technical risk assessment, mitigation and issue resolution, escalating as required

• Mentor and coach Project Engineers and Junior Project Engineers to build technical and project delivery capability

Ngā pukenga e rapu nei mātou | What (skills) you will bring:

Knowledge and experience

• 10 + years’ experience in engineering delivery of complex infrastructure or rail projects while maintaining operations.
• Strong capability in civil and/or structural engineering quality assurance.
• Proven experience resolving complex engineering and constructability issues.
• Experience mentoring or leading other engineers in a delivery environment.
• Experience in digital engineering methods and tools

Desirable:

• Relevant project experience in rail, port or general construction industry where multiple engineering disciplines are applied, is desirable
• Experience in digital engineering methods and tools
• Practical experience in the field relevant to rail, ports, transportation or logistics.
• Experience in programme, project and contract/ contractor management including planning, funding, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and assessment.
• Knowledge of the rail and/or shipping transport sectors, relevant legislation and rail, port and transport safety issues.

Ways of working / Work-related qualities

• Demonstrates strong technical credibility and professional judgement.
• Ability to bring customers and stakeholders along the ‘journey’ while ensuring there is clarity around their mandates.
• Calm, decisive, and trusted in high-pressure environments.
• Communicates complex technical issues clearly and pragmatically.
• Willing to challenge where quality or safety standards are at risk.
• Builds trust through sound judgement and technical credibility.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership and teamwork skills.
• Ability to see the “big picture” and continue working steadily towards this, despite short term distractions, and without losing attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively and without detailed supervision in an ambiguous and changing environment.
• Ability to fit into a programme culture that is based on a constructive team effort towards solutions and achievement of the overall outcomes.

Other Requirements

• You can pass regular drug and alcohol screenings.
• You hold a current and valid NZ driver’s licence.
• You are prepared to travel regularly within your area of responsibility.

Qualifications

• Tertiary degree in engineering (civil, structural, electrical, or equivalent).
• Rail or safety-critical engineering experience desirable.
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) or equivalent is desirable.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you:

• Competitive salary plus 4% KiwiSaver employer contribution
• 25 annual leave days
• Access to join NZ Rail Staff Welfare Trust where you will enjoy a range of benefits including access to holiday homes across New Zealand, as well as support for optometry, physiotherapy, GP services and prescription costs
• A wide range of discounts at retailers and on scenic trains and Interislander
• Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace dedicated to innovation, sustainability and community impact

Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to Make a Difference?

Rā aukati | Applications close: 14 July 2026