Principal Civil Infrastructure

About the Role

This is a full-time leadership opportunity for an accomplished civil engineer to head up the Auckland office team. The position suits someone who enjoys working across varied projects that create positive change for communities.

Robert Bird Group is a global consulting engineering firm driven by a commitment to engineering excellence and practical, buildable design. The organisation focuses on turning ambitious ideas into deliverable outcomes through collaboration, innovation, and proactive problem-solving.

Future-Focused Engineering

The business is investing in advanced delivery methods, including 4D BIM digital rehearsals through its Unity-based Reveal platform. Combined with BIM, analysis, and Synchro programming tools, this approach is reshaping how clients and contractors plan and execute projects.

Built in-house by coding and programming teams, these initiatives also create scope for engineers to broaden their experience into parametric design, data science, coding, and programming. There is a strong emphasis on supporting environmentally responsible design and developing talented engineers who share that outlook.

What You Can Expect

The company offers regular professional development opportunities, direct learning from specialist experts across a global network, access to local and international projects, and ongoing training. Additional benefits include paid leave options, health and wellbeing support, an active social club, internal transfer opportunities across overseas offices, recognition awards, and a collaborative workplace that supports healthy work-life balance.

Key Responsibilities

• Work in line with all internal policies, procedures, and standard practices.
• Deliver work to a professional standard, efficiently and in accordance with company guidelines.
• Make objective decisions consistent with the company’s delegation framework.
• Follow workplace health and safety requirements at all times.
• Take on additional tasks as needed to support the role.
• Represent the business positively to current and prospective clients.
• Communicate the company’s strengths in innovation, technical quality, and project delivery.
• Develop and sustain strong, cooperative relationships that support business success.
• Build new opportunities within the existing client base.
• Assign work across individuals and teams under your leadership.
• Manage resources for projects and staff, including leadership of major projects, client coordination, design, and project delivery.
• Apply senior technical and project management capability to support a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Contribute to the training and growth of engineers in the New Zealand civils team.
• Help maintain a positive, team-oriented office culture.
• Grow and sustain relationships with counterparts in key client organisations.

Experience and Technical Requirements

• At least 15 years of civil engineering experience in a professional office setting.
• Chartered Professional Engineer status, with knowledge of NZ Standards and Codes.
• Exposure to local authorities and agencies in New Zealand.
• Ability to apply and extend civil engineering principles, standards, and concepts, including preparation of technical reports.
• Strong technical leadership ability and experience guiding highly capable professionals at all levels.
• Innovative thinking and openness to exploring new approaches that create growth opportunities.
• Proven record of delivering high-quality technical outcomes.
• Strong industry network and the ability to generate opportunities through it.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, both internally and externally.
• Ability to engage managers, employees, and external parties to achieve safe outcomes while balancing customer and commercial needs.
• Capability to represent the company externally on engineering matters.
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Excellent spoken and written communication, including strong interpersonal ability.
• Ability to work independently, meet demanding deadlines, and prioritise effectively.
• Strong work ethic, positive attitude, and comfort in a fast-paced environment.
• Competence with the Microsoft Office suite at an intermediate to advanced level.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to use initiative and implement fresh ideas.
• Capacity to work autonomously, follow direction, and collaborate as part of a team.

Additional Information

The company values commitment to clients, the communities it serves, teamwork, and delivering excellent outcomes. It also states that this position does not require agency input and asks that resumes are not sent directly to employees or managers. Unsolicited resumes are not accepted, and any associated fees will not be recognised. The wider Surbana Jurong group promotes talent, hard work, teamwork, and a fun workplace to solve problems creatively and collaboratively.

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an equal employment opportunity organisation.