Design Lead Facilities
Lead and develop a talented design team while shaping high-quality facilities solutions for Wellington’s water infrastructure. Combine technical expertise with people leadership.
Use your expertise to shape quality designs.
Lead technical delivery while coaching and developing engineering capability.
Influence design standards and outcomes across Wellington’s water services.
This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week
The remuneration range for this role is $117,099 - $165,316 (including KiwiSaver) depending on skills and experience
The opportunity
This is an opportunity to combine people leadership with senior technical expertise, leading Tiaki Wai’s Facilities Design team and helping shape the quality and delivery of critical water infrastructure.
You’ll lead and develop a team, while providing technical direction and assurance across internally and externally delivered facilities projects. From challenging design assumptions and supporting design risk workshops to influencing technical standards, commissioning and handover, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact across the project lifecycle.
Working across Capital Delivery, Operations and Strategy and Planning, as well as with consultants and contractors, you’ll help ensure facilities designs are practical, safe, technically sound and deliver the right outcomes for Wellington’s water services.
You will:
Lead and develop a high-performing Facilities Design team, providing clear direction, coaching, mentoring and technical leadership.
Provide technical advice and design assurance across significant facilities projects, challenging assumptions and managing technical risks.
Drive the development and continuous improvement of facilities design and construction standards.
Manage internally delivered facilities projects, ensuring quality solutions are delivered safely, on programme and within budget.
About you
To be successful in this role you will bring:
A Bachelor of Engineering or Diploma in Engineering, preferably in civil, process or mechanical engineering.
Chartered Professional Engineer status is highly desired.
Extensive (10+) years post-qualification experience in water infrastructure design and delivery engineering.
Strong technical knowledge of three waters facilities design, including detailed facilities design experience.
Proven experience leading functional or project teams, with strong coaching, mentoring and people development capability.
Sound project management knowledge across contract documentation, scheduling, budget management and stakeholder engagement.
Strong commercial acumen and experience working collaboratively with internal teams, consultants, contractors and suppliers.
Excellent communication, relationship management and influencing skills, with the ability to navigate complexity and achieve practical outcomes.
Benefits
At Tiaki Wai, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.
Our benefits include:
Flexible working arrangements including up to 2 days working from home
Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually
Formal and informal professional development opportunities
5 weeks annual leave accrual will be available following 2 years of continual service
For a full list of our employee benefits, click here.
About us
Tiaki Wai is a council-owned organisation responsible for managing the delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services across Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Wellington.
We manage public-owned extensive water infrastructure and oversee the delivery of safe and reliable services for our communities. We focus on long-term investment, asset management, maintenance, and delivering major infrastructure projects that support public health, environmental protection, and regional growth.
Water is a precious taonga. At Tiaki Wai, we put care into every drop and are guided by our values of Integrity, Care, and Leadership. We work directly with water consumers and in partnership with councils and mana whenua to deliver better water outcomes for current and future generations.
Applications close: Thursday 3rd September 2026
How to apply
To view a copy of the position description: click here
To apply for the role, click on the ‘apply’ button or visit the Tiaki Wai Careers site. If you are a Tiaki Wai employee, please apply using your work email.
For further information, email: JoinUs@tiakiwai.co.nz
Applicants for safety-sensitive roles will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Tiaki Wai. You must also be legally entitled to work long-term in New Zealand or eligible to obtain a working visa.
- Department
- Capital Delivery
- Role
- Engineering Design
- Locations
- Petone Office
Petone Office
Staff benefits
1. Inclusive Culture: It is important to us that people love our culture. We embrace a workplace where diversity is celebrated, and inclusivity is at our core. Our team is united by passion, dedication, and a shared care for water and our community.
2. Safety and Support: We provide an Employee Assistance Scheme for crucial personal support, along with wellbeing and lifestyle education delivered through our Wellbe Team, ensuring you feel supported in and out of the workplace.
3. Health is Wealth: We prioritise your health with an annual voluntary health "warrant of fitness," immunisations, and flu vaccinations. Moreover, enjoy annual subsidised vision testing and contributions toward glasses to ensure clear vision.
4. Work-Life Balance: Where possible there is access to flexible work practices. And take advantage of our annual leave, reaching five weeks after three years of service, and 10 days sick leave from starting with us. In addition, take one paid day a year for your personal Wellbeing. We also offer parental leave and partner entitlements to support you during significant life moments.
5. Comprehensive Benefits: We have partnered with providers for discounted Southern Cross medical insurance, periodic vision and hearing tests, and eyewear subsidies. You can also access discounts at a range of retailers via Boost. Gain access to top-notch gear, machinery, PPE, and tools, fostering a safe work environment if you are “on the tools”. We also offer a staff referral bonus paid when a person is recruited for a senior front line position, and we may offer relocation support if you need to move into the district to work here.
6. Professional Growth: Grow your skills with a range of development opportunities. Boosting your personal and work career.
7. Community Connection: You can take one paid day a year to participate in voluntary work on a water-related activity. And maybe join our active Waiata group and be part of a community that works together, sings, and thrives together.
