Principal Transport Engineer

1w1 week ago

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

Auckland, NZ · Full-time · NZ$170,000 – NZ$230,000

About this role

Join us as a Principal Transport Engineer and play a pivotal role in designing and optimising New Zealand’s land transport system for better journeys, safer communities, and a thriving future. Phenomenal opportunity to collaborate across the organisation. Provide technical expertise to promote multi-modal, safe, sustainable and integrated transportation networks aligning to strategic outcomes.

Provide expert, pragmatic and deliverable technical advice across NZTA’s capital projects and transport operations. Lead nationally on transport engineering, system performance, and network optimisation. Ensure transport solutions are integrated, future-focused, and deliver value for money.

This technical leadership role involves influencing best practice and collaborating across disciplines to deliver high-performing, safe, and sustainable transport networks. Work with safety engineers, planners, councils, contractors, and other stakeholders. Contribute to national programmes, guidelines, and standards.

Mentor junior team members and support continuous improvement across the System Performance function. Represent NZTA at industry events and respond to technical inquiries with clarity and impact. Shape national transport engineering practice integrating lessons learned, innovation, and international best practice.

Requirements

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
A relevant tertiary qualification in transport or highway engineering, or equivalent experience

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