About this role
<p><img src="https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/assets/Careers/Photos/Seek-Aug23_900x321-a.jpg?vid=6"></p> <p> </p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/assets/Careers/Sarah/Senior-Project-EngineerPD.pdf?vid=4">Position Description</a></p> <p> </p> <ul> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Take ownership of end-to-end outcomes</span></strong></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Delivery leadership</span></strong></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Permanent, Wellington based</span></strong></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">He kōrero mō mātou | About us:</span></strong></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"> </p> <p style="line-height:115%;margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">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. </span></p> <p style="line-height:115%;margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"> </p> <p style="line-height:115%;margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">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. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>He whakamārama mō te tūranga | About the role:</strong></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">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.</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">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.</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">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.</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"> </p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">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.</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"> </p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">You will:</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 21.3pt;text-indent:-21.3pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">• Lead technical planning, scoping and cost development for assigned complex projects and work packages, ensuring alignment with KiwiRail’s rail and investment strategies</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 21.3pt;text-indent:-21.3pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">• 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</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 21.3pt;text-indent:-21.3pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">• Provide senior engineering leadership across detailed design, construction, completion, commissioning and handover stages, delivering project outcomes and contributing to overall programme success</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 21.3pt;text-indent:-21.3pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">• Develop accurate and achievable project plans, schedules and detailed budgets in line with programme standards and scheduling requirements</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 21.3pt;text-indent:-21.3pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">• Support procurement, contract negotiations and initiation of contracted works to achieve project objectives</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 21.3pt;text-indent:-21.3pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">• 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</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 21.3pt;text-indent:-21.3pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">• Support Project Managers and Senior Project Managers with technical risk assessment, mitigation and issue resolution, escalating as required</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 21.3pt;text-indent:-21.3pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">• Mentor and coach Project Engineers and Junior Project Engineers to build technical and project delivery capability</span></p> <p> </p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Ngā pukenga e rapu nei mātou <span class="ui-provider">| </span>What (skills) you will bring: </span></strong></p> <h2 style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 4.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:16.0pt;font-family:'Aptos Display', sans-serif;color:#0f4761;font-weight:normal"><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:windowtext">Knowledge and experience</span></strong></h2> <ul style="margin-top:3.0pt;margin-bottom:3.0pt"> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">10 + years’ experience in engineering delivery of complex infrastructure or rail projects while maintaining operations.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Strong capability in civil and/or structural engineering quality assurance.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Proven experience resolving complex engineering and constructability issues.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Experience mentoring or leading other engineers in a delivery environment.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Experience in digital engineering methods and tools</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"> </p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Desirable:</span></p> <ul style="margin-top:3.0pt;margin-bottom:3.0pt"> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Relevant project experience in rail, port or general construction industry where multiple engineering disciplines are applied, is desirable</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Experience in digital engineering methods and tools</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Practical experience in the field relevant to rail, ports, transportation or logistics.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Experience in programme, project and contract/ contractor management including planning, funding, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and assessment.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Knowledge of the rail and/or shipping transport sectors, relevant legislation and rail, port and transport safety issues.</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 18.0pt;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"> </p> <h2 style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 4.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:16.0pt;font-family:'Aptos Display', sans-serif;color:#0f4761;font-weight:normal"><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:windowtext">Ways of working / Work-related qualities</span></strong></h2> <ul style="margin-top:3.0pt;margin-bottom:3.0pt"> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Demonstrates strong technical credibility and professional judgement.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Ability to bring customers and stakeholders along the ‘journey’ while ensuring there is clarity around their mandates.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Calm, decisive, and trusted in high-pressure environments.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Communicates complex technical issues clearly and pragmatically.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Willing to challenge where quality or safety standards are at risk.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Builds trust through sound judgement and technical credibility.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership and teamwork skills.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Ability to see the “big picture” and continue working steadily towards this, despite short term distractions, and without losing attention to detail and accuracy.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Ability to work effectively and without detailed supervision in an ambiguous and changing environment.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Ability to fit into a programme culture that is based on a constructive team effort towards solutions and achievement of the overall outcomes.</span></li> </ul> <h2 style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 4.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:16.0pt;font-family:'Aptos Display', sans-serif;color:#0f4761;font-weight:normal"><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:windowtext"> </span></strong></h2> <h2 style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 4.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:16.0pt;font-family:'Aptos Display', sans-serif;color:#0f4761;font-weight:normal"><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:windowtext">Other Requirements</span></strong></h2> <ul style="margin-top:3.0pt;margin-bottom:3.0pt"> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">You can pass regular drug and alcohol screenings. </span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">You hold a current and valid NZ driver’s licence. </span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">You are prepared to travel regularly within your area of responsibility. </span></li> </ul> <h2 style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 4.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:16.0pt;font-family:'Aptos Display', sans-serif;color:#0f4761;font-weight:normal"><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:windowtext"> </span></strong></h2> <h2 style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 4.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:16.0pt;font-family:'Aptos Display', sans-serif;color:#0f4761;font-weight:normal"><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:windowtext">Qualifications</span></strong></h2> <ul style="margin-top:3.0pt;margin-bottom:3.0pt"> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Tertiary degree in engineering (civil, structural, electrical, or equivalent).</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Rail or safety-critical engineering experience desirable.</span></li> <li style="margin:3.0pt 0.0cm 3.0pt 0.0px;line-height:12.0pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) or equivalent is desirable.</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"> </p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:'Segoe UI', sans-serif;background-color:white;font-weight:bold;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black">Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you:</span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0cm"> <li style="margin:12.0pt 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Competitive salary plus 4% KiwiSaver employer contribution</span></li> <li style="margin:12.0pt 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;background-color:white;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black">25 annual leave days</span></li> <li style="margin:12.0pt 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;background-color:white;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333">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</span></li> <li style="margin:12.0pt 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;background-color:white;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333">A wide range of discounts at retailers and on scenic trains and Interislander</span></li> <li style="margin:12.0pt 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;background-color:white;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace dedicated to innovation, sustainability and community impact</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to Make a Difference?</span></strong></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"> </p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Rā aukati | Applications close: 14 July 2026 </span></strong></p>