Principal Engineer Drinking Water Network
Opportunity to provide technical leadership across the region's drinking water network, influence major investment decisions, and help shape the future resilience, performance, and sustainability.
Lead challenging and interesting investigations across drinking water networks
Provide technical expertise across your portfolio with a strategic lens
Influence strategic investment and long-term asset decisions
This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week based in our Petone office
The remuneration range for this role is $120,817 to $170,565 p.a (including KiwiSaver) depending on skills and experience.
The opportunity
The Principal Engineer - Drinking Water Network offers senior technical leadership to enhance the performance, compliance, and long-term resilience of the region's drinking water infrastructure. In this key role, you will provide expert guidance in conducting and reviewing investigations, support strategic and asset planning, and assess upgrades and optimisation initiatives. Your work will ensure that drinking water services remain compliant, safe, reliable, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the region's commitment to delivering safe and reliable drinking water to our communities
You will get to:
Lead the technical direction of complex investigations into drinking water network performance, resilience, water quality, renewals, compliance, and capacity challenges
Provide technical support and engineering assurance across the capital works programme
Collaborate with operations and planning teams to ensure data-driven insights inform asset management and investment priorities
Influence strategic asset planning and investment decisions across the drinking water portfolio
Guide and mentor others in their professional development
Act as a recognised technical subject matter expert and trusted advisor across the organisation
About you
To be successful in this role you will bring:
15+ years' experience in drinking water engineering, infrastructure planning, or asset management, with significant experience across drinking water networks
A bachelor's degree in engineering (preferably Civil)
Experience supporting strategic, investment and asset planning and prioritisation
Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical workstreams
Organised, self-motivated, and committed to delivering public value
Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) qualification
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: Sunday 6 December 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
- Strategy and Planning
- Role
- Network Engineering
- Location
- 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.
