Principal Site Structural Engineer | Te Awa Kairangi

Company Description Help build one of New Zealand's most significant transport infrastructure projects while developing your career across a diverse portfolio of infrastructure projects. At AECOM, we're delivering infrastructure that creates opportunity for everyone. We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Site Structural Engineer to join our Wellington team, with a primary focus on the Te Awa Kairangi (River Link) Project – Wellington’s largest and most complex live transport infrastructure construction project.

This role offers a unique combination of major project delivery experience and broader consulting exposure. While the majority of your time will be dedicated to supporting Te Awa Kairangi during construction, you will also contribute to a variety of AECOM's transport, water and infrastructure projects across the Wellington region, including aspects of project and contract management.

Job Description

Why this role?

Few engineers have the opportunity to work on projects that genuinely shape the future of a city. Te Awa Kairangi is a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure, delivering significant transport improvements, enhanced flood resilience, better community connections and long-term benefits for the region.

As a Principal Site Structural Engineer, you will play a key role in bringing this landmark project to life. You'll apply your engineering expertise in a challenging live construction environment, working alongside experienced construction, design and client teams to help solve real-world engineering problems and deliver critical infrastructure for future generations.

Beyond Te Awa Kairangi, you'll gain valuable experience supporting AECOM's wider project portfolio, providing opportunities to broaden your technical, commercial and project delivery skills while building relationships across our multidisciplinary business.

The Opportunity As a Principal Site Structural Engineer, you'll lead site inspection activities, provide technical direction and act as a trusted engineering representative throughout construction. You'll work closely with contractors, clients, project managers and design teams to ensure works meet approved designs, specifications and quality standards.
You'll:

Lead structural site inspections across bridges, retaining walls, water-retaining structures and buildings and ensuring construction meets design, quality and safety requirements.

Oversee inspections of bridge piling, piers, abutments, head stocks, bearing plinths, precast girder seating and deck levels.

Apply your expertise across bridges, foundations, underground structures, retaining walls, water-retaining structures and buildings.

Lead reviews of Inspection and Testing Plans (ITPs), oversee pre-pour inspections and ensure inspection reports and quality documentation meet required standards.

Identify construction discrepancies and design clashes, working with contractors and designers to develop practical solutions and resolve Requests for Information (RFIs).Make critical technical judgements on construction quality, structural integrity and readiness for subsequent construction stages.

Represent AECOM in client and stakeholder meetings, building strong relationships across project teams.

Mentor and guide site engineers, setting high standards for inspection quality, technical coordination and documentation.

Drive safe construction practices, identify site risks and champion AECOM's health, safety and environmental requirements.

Improve inspection processes, share technical knowledge and promote innovative approaches to construction challenges.

Qualifications The impact you’ll bring

We're looking for an experienced structural engineer who combines deep technical knowledge with…