Title:  Senior Project Engineer

Position Description

• Lead complex, high‑impact rail infrastructure projects across a critical national network
• Permanent full-time position based in Wellington
• Provide technical leadership and drive quality outcomes across multi‑disciplinary engineering delivery

He kupu mō mātou | About KiwiRail

KiwiRail delivers sustainable and inclusive growth for our customers, communities, and people. For more than 150 years, rail has connected Aotearoa—moving people and freight, supporting our economy, and shaping the future of transport.  Our purpose, Stronger Connections, Better New Zealand, reflects how we work together, connect with our customers, and deliver impact across the country. Safety, health, and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do—ensuring our people return home safe and well every day.

He whakamārama mō te tūranga | About the role

KiwiRail is in a period of significant transformation to modernise and grow New Zealand’s rail network.

We’re looking for a highly capable Senior Project Engineer to provide technical leadership and engineering assurance across complex, high-risk, and multi-disciplinary network intervention works. This is a critical, hands-on role where you’ll ensure engineering solutions are robust, safe, constructible, and compliant—while driving quality outcomes across planning, design, and delivery phases.  You’ll partner closely with Project Managers, contractors, and engineering teams, helping translate strategy and plans into successful project delivery within a challenging and dynamic rail environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading technical planning, scoping, and cost development for complex projects and work packages
• Providing engineering leadership across design, construction, commissioning, and handover stages
• Managing engineering quality, compliance, and safety across the full delivery lifecycle
• Supporting procurement, contract negotiation, and delivery of contracted works
• Identifying and resolving complex technical and constructability challenges onsite
• Monitoring and reporting on programme performance, risks, and outcomes
• Mentoring and coaching Project Engineers and Junior Engineers to build capability
• Driving collaboration across internal teams, contractors, and external stakeholders

Ngā wheako me ngā pūkenga | What you’ll bring

You’re an experienced engineer with strong technical credibility and the confidence to lead in complex, high-pressure delivery environments.

You will bring:

• 10+ years’ experience delivering complex infrastructure or engineering projects
• Strong capability in civil and/or structural engineering quality assurance
• Proven experience resolving complex engineering and constructability challenges
• Experience mentoring or leading engineers within a project delivery environment
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex technical issues
• The ability to remain calm, decisive, and solutions-focused under pressure

Ideally, you will also have:

• Experience in rail, transport, or multi-disciplinary infrastructure environments
• Knowledge of programme, project, and contractor management practices
• A tertiary qualification in engineering, with CPEng (or working towards)

Ngā painga | Why KiwiRail

This is a high-impact role where you’ll contribute to major infrastructure outcomes that support New Zealand’s future transport network. You’ll play a key part in delivering complex engineering solutions while building capability across teams and projects.

• Competitive salary plus 4% employer KiwiSaver contribution
• 5 weeks annual leave
• Southern Cross medical insurance at staff rates
• Discounted staff travel and a wide range of corporate discounts
• Access to the NZ Rail Staff Welfare Trust, including holiday homes and wellbeing support
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Be part of a values-driven organisation where safety, wellbeing, and collaboration come first

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

If you thrive on solving complex engineering challenges and want to play a key role in delivering critical rail infrastructure, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications close: Sunday 31 May 2026. We encourage early applications, as the role may close sooner if the right candidate is found.

Please note: Appointment is subject to passing a pre-employment medical, drug and alcohol screening. New Zealand residency or citizenship is required.