Title:  Field Asset Engineer

 Help keep New Zealand’s rail network safe, reliable, and performing at its best.

• Permanent opportunity within KiwiRail’s Network Services team
• Based at a local depot with regular travel across your asset portfolio
• Combine engineering expertise, asset management, planning, and field inspections to drive network performance

Position Description 

He kōrero mō mātou | About us

At KiwiRail, we’re dedicated to building a better-connected and more sustainable Aotearoa. For more than 150 years, rail has played a vital role in connecting communities, supporting businesses, and keeping New Zealand moving. Today, we’re investing in the future of our network and services while staying true to our purpose of Stronger Connections, Better New Zealand. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, working together to deliver safe, reliable, and customer-focused rail services across the country.

He whakamārama mō te tūranga mahi | About the role

As a Field Asset Engineer, you’ll play a critical role in managing and maintaining a section of KiwiRail’s rail network and work closely with the Production Teams and Engineering Teams. You’ll be responsible for asset planning, engineering inspections, technical support, and ensuring asset information is accurate and compliant within our asset management systems.

This is a varied role that combines office-based planning with field-based inspections and audits. You’ll work closely with operational teams to prioritise maintenance activities, develop work programmes, monitor asset performance, and ensure work is delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with engineering to support network reliability, DFIOT outcomes, and customer confidence in KiwiRail’s infrastructure.

Health and Safety is fundamental to how we operate at KiwiRail, and you’ll be expected to lead by example through visible safety leadership, field engagement, and safety audits that help strengthen safety culture, manage risk, and reduce injuries and incidents.

What you’ll be doing

• Developing and prioritising work programmes that support KiwiRail’s Asset Management and Business Plans
• Undertaking engineering inspections and condition assessments across allocated sections of track
• Preparing work orders and supporting maintenance planning activities
• Providing technical advice and engineering expertise to production teams
• Analysing asset performance and condition data using Maximo and associated systems
• Conducting site audits and technical reviews to ensure compliance with standards and codes
• Monitoring work progress, costs, milestones, and delivery outcomes
• Ensuring asset information is accurate, complete, and maintained within asset management systems
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives and best-practice asset management
• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, contractors, local authorities, and network partners

Ngā pukenga e rapu nei mātou | What you will bring

You’ll be a proactive engineering professional who enjoys solving technical challenges and working collaboratively with operational teams to improve asset performance and reliability.

You will bring:

• Experience in asset management, maintenance planning, or civil infrastructure environments
• Experience in job planning, estimating, and work programme development
• Knowledge of engineering standards, codes, and their practical application
• Experience managing project timelines, costs, and delivery outcomes
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret engineering and asset data
• Confidence engaging in technical discussions and providing engineering advice
• Strong stakeholder relationship management and communication skills
• Excellent computer literacy and experience working with asset management systems
• A strong commitment to safety leadership and continuous improvement
• Experience implementing change initiatives to support best-practice asset management (advantageous)

Preferred qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Engineering (BE, NZCE, or equivalent)
• Experience using Maximo or similar enterprise asset management systems
• Experience working within rail, transport, utilities, or infrastructure environments

Nōu te rourou | What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary package
• 4% KiwiSaver employer contribution
• Discounted medical insurance and staff travel benefits
• Access to the New Zealand Railways Staff Welfare Trust
• Professional development and ongoing technical training opportunities
• The opportunity to work on nationally significant infrastructure assets
• A collaborative team environment with a strong focus on safety and continuous improvement
• Career progression opportunities across KiwiRail’s nationwide network
• The chance to make a tangible impact on New Zealand’s transport infrastructure

Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to make a difference?

If you’re an engineering professional who enjoys combining technical expertise, asset management, and field-based problem solving, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications close: Sunday 4th October 2026

Bring your engineering knowledge, planning expertise, and passion for asset performance to help KiwiRail deliver a safer, stronger, and more reliable rail network for New Zealand.

KiwiRail is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences because together we are stronger.