Downer
Leading provider of integrated services across Australia and New Zealand, delivering infrastructure solutions.
Principal Engineer - Pavements
Lead national pavement engineering, providing technical oversight, mentorship, and innovation.
Job Highlights
About the Role
The role is for a Senior Principal Engineer to join Downer’s pavement design team within the Transport and Infrastructure business, providing national technical leadership that drives excellence, capability uplift and innovation across design, delivery and operational functions, while shaping New Zealand’s infrastructure for future generations. Reporting to the National Pavement Lead, the engineer will provide specialist oversight on high‑risk projects, lead design governance to ensure technical excellence, safety in design and value‑for‑money outcomes, mentor and develop pavement engineers, drive research and adoption of advanced materials and methods, represent Downer at industry forums and standards committees, and collaborate with Road Science, Infrastructure Delivery and Operations to align national strategy. • Provide specialist technical oversight on high‑risk and high‑opportunity projects • Lead design governance to ensure technical excellence, Safety in Design and value‑for‑money outcomes • Mentor and develop pavement engineers, fostering growth and collaboration • Drive research and adoption of advanced pavement materials, binders and design methods • Represent Downer at industry forums, standards committees and tertiary partnerships • Collaborate with Road Science, Infrastructure Delivery and Operations to align national strategy
Key Responsibilities
- ▸technical oversight
- ▸design governance
- ▸mentoring
- ▸materials research
- ▸industry representation
- ▸strategic collaboration
What You Bring
The ideal candidate holds a Washington Accord engineering degree, Chartered Professional Engineer status with MEngNZ or FEngNZ membership (or equivalent), and 15+ years of experience in pavement and asphalt surfacing design, materials engineering, construction and quality assurance, together with recognised sector expertise, strong mentoring and leadership abilities, commercial acumen, and excellent communication and problem‑solving skills. • Washington Accord engineering qualification • Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) with MEngNZ or FEngNZ membership (or equivalent) • 15+ years experience in pavement and asphalt design, materials engineering, construction and QA • Recognised expertise influencing standards, research or industry forums • Strong mentoring, leadership and commercial acumen • Excellent communication and problem‑solving skills
Requirements
- ▸washington accord
- ▸chartered engineer
- ▸15+ years
- ▸pavement design
- ▸mentoring
- ▸commercial acumen
Benefits
Downer is dedicated to delivering excellence by providing an environment where employees can thrive, offering flexible work locations across Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington or Christchurch, a rewarding salary, work‑life balance, an inclusive and respectful culture, free Marram health care benefits, discounted holiday homes, Z Energy fuel discounts and monthly freebies, a $500 referral bonus for current staff, and progression and development programmes that support personal and professional growth. • Flexible work location: Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington or Christchurch • Competitive salary and work‑life balance • Inclusive, respectful workplace culture • Free Marram health care benefits and discounted holiday homes • Z Energy fuel discount and monthly freebies • $500 referral bonus for current employees • Progression and development programmes for growth
Work Environment
Hybrid