Careers

Leadership – What you’ve been waiting for.

Are you an engaging communicator? Can you think on your feet to meet clients’ needs? Would others describe you as a natural leader?

Davis Ogilvie has an 90-year history of helping to develop communities throughout New Zealand. Covering structural, civil and geotechnical engineering, land surveying, resource management and environmental science, we’ve built a strong reputation for collaborative, practical and high-quality solutions.

Due to a positive pipeline of work and our unwavering commitment to both clients and people, we’re seeking a Principal Civil Engineer to take on a pivotal leadership role within the business.

Who you are…

You are a highly credible senior civil engineer and natural leader who enjoys building strong client relationships, mentoring technical professionals and contributing at a strategic level. You are motivated not only by project delivery excellence, but also by the opportunity to influence, grow and help shape a successful consulting business.

You are comfortable operating in a dynamic, client-facing environment where technical expertise, sound judgement and people leadership are equally important.

Your purpose…

The Principal Civil Engineer will be involved in the leadership and accountability for the Civil Engineering Team and its portfolio of projects including 3 waters, infrastructure and land developments across the South Island.

Through strong leadership of the team, you will lead and contribute to the delivery of civil infrastructure projects, overseeing day-to-day design, technical reviews and reporting, while expanding our civil engineering services and market presence.

This is a business-critical role requiring a balanced combination of people leadership, technical excellence and commercial and client focus to ensure both client outcomes and business objectives are achieved.

Your daily adventures will include…

• Leading and mentoring a team of civil engineers and technicians
• Providing technical leadership across design and reporting
• Building and strengthening relationships with local authority, clients, developers and contractors
• Contributing to business development, project strategy and service growth
• Overseeing project delivery to ensure quality, safety and commercial performance
• Supporting multidisciplinary collaboration across civil, geotechnical, structural, surveying and environmental teams
• Providing senior technical input, review and problem solving on complex projects

To be successful in this role you will ideally…

• Be a natural leader with the ability to positively influence, mentor and develop technical teams
• Have strong stakeholder management skills and enjoy building trusted, long-term client relationships
• Demonstrate superior and compelling communication skills suited to a fast-paced, professional consulting environment
• Be a Chartered Professional Engineer with a minimum of 10 years experience, ideally in three waters or infrastructure design (local government experience preferred)
• Have a strong understanding of relevant New Zealand standards, engineering codes of practice and regional plans
• Bring sound commercial awareness and the ability to contribute at a business leadership level

What we offer…

We offer a unique opportunity to step into a senior, influential position within a long-established and highly respected New Zealand consultancy. You will work within an inclusive, supportive and collaborative environment, with the ability to engage across disciplines and offices.

A key point of difference is your opportunity to be involved across the full project lifecycle and at a strategic business level, with a genuine pathway toward potential ownership for the right individual.

Why you will love it here…

Davis Ogilvie has a distinctive team culture built around a non-hierarchical structure and a “leaders as coaches” philosophy. Principals and Directors work alongside teams in an open-plan environment, fostering accessibility, collaboration and professional growth. The company also maintains a strong social culture, with regular events and activities that support connection across the business.

What we care about…

We care about the environment and the communities where we live and work. Supporting them is important to us and we do this through hands-on involvement, raising awareness and supporting causes that make a difference to New Zealanders’ lives.