Principal Transport Engineer

Location: Wellington or Auckland

Help shape the future of transport in Aotearoa.

• Join us as a Principal Transport Engineer and play a pivotal role in designing and optimising New Zealands land transport system for better journeys safer communities and a thriving future.

• Phenomenal opportunity to collaborate across the organisation.

• Provide your technical expertise and support to promote and ensure the delivery of multi-modal safe sustainable and integrated transportation networks that align to our strategic outcomes.

Te Whiwhinga mahi The opportunity

As one of our Principal Transport Engineers you will provide expert pragmatic and deliverable technical advice across NZTAs capital projects and transport operations. Youll lead nationally on transport engineering system performance and network optimisation ensuring our transport solutions are integrated future-focused and deliver value for money.

This is a technical leadership role where youll influence best practice mentor others and collaborate across disciplines to deliver high-performing safe and sustainable transport networks.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative technical leadership in transport engineering optimisation ITS and network performance.

• Shape national transport engineering practice integrating lessons learned innovation and international best practice.

• Set and monitor network performance expectations especially in urban areas.

• Advise on capital projects and transport operations supporting innovative and balanced design solutions.

• Collaborate with safety engineers planners councils contractors and other stakeholders.

• Contribute to national programmes guidelines and standards.

• Represent NZTA at industry events and respond to technical inquiries with clarity and impact.

• Mentor junior team members and support continuous improvement across the System Performance function.

You will find out more about the role here Position Description

Ko koe tēnei About you:

What Youll Bring

• Extensive experience across multiple disciplines of land transport engineering including ITS network optimisation and complex capital project delivery.

• Strong engineering judgment with a practical approach to solving complex technical challenges.

• Proven ability to establish strategy and guide delivery to achieve strategic outcomes.

• Deep understanding of transport data modelling and performance monitoring including Safe System principles.

• Exceptional communication and influencing skills with the ability to present proposals effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Demonstrated success in leading and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams across public and private sector environments.

• Significant experience in investment decision-making budget allocation and programme management.

• Commercial awareness of contractor and consultant operations.

• Knowledge of New Zealands land transport system and relevant legislation.

• A relevant tertiary qualification in transport or highway engineering or equivalent experience.

Why Join Us

At NZTA it all starts with our people. The organisations performance and success depends on the people who choose to make this a great place to work and make a difference for New Zealand. The Transport Agency has a strong future focus understanding that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system we know today will not be the one we deliver in ten years time.

Youll be part of a team thats passionate about making a difference. We also offer:

• A collaborative and inclusive work environment

• Opportunities to lead and influence nationally

• Professional development and mentoring

• Flexible working arrangements

• Along with our other benefits we also have Waka Kotahi Life an Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance scheme available for permanent employees.

Ready to move Aotearoa forward

Apply now and help us design a transport system that connects people protects our land and prepares us for the future.

Me pēhea te tuku tono How to apply:

Please click Apply for this Job to upload your CV and cover letter.

Rā Katinga Applications close:

For further information email:

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.