Principal Structural Engineer

Principal Structural Engineer

Damwatch Engineering is currently seeking a Principal Structural Engineer for a full-time role based in Wellington, New Zealand.

Damwatch is a specialised engineering consultancy - we focus on dams and associated structures, providing strategic engineering and dam safety services for maintaining and developing dam infrastructure in New Zealand and overseas. Due to increased workload, we are seeking a Principal Structural Engineer to support these projects.

Our New Zealand client base includes the hydropower, irrigation and water supply sectors.  Typical structural aspects that are evaluated include concrete dams, spillways, diversion tunnels, powerhouses, concrete faced dams, bridges, retaining walls, anchors, concrete design etc.

The Role

We seek a Principal Structural Engineer (CPEng qualified) with 15+ years' experience in the analysis and design of hydro and infrastructure projects. You need to be experienced in the field of Structural Engineering and able to contribute to projects both as a design lead, internal reviewer and member of a design team. You will need to be a self-starter, motivated, willing to learn, an open communicator, and keen to enhance your dam engineering skills working alongside experts in the dam engineering field.

Depending on your skills, you can anticipate working on a variety of dam types and deliver a range of services from dam safety investigations through seismic analysis, hydraulic modelling and upgrade design, to feasibility studies, and design and construction of dams, canals and associated structures.

The Principal Structural Engineer role is an opportunity to work alongside and support a group of professional engineers working on challenging dam projects and to have the opportunity to advance your own area(s) of expertise.

• Lead and support development of high-performing teams in project delivery
• Collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to deliver complex projects that meet or exceed client expectations, all while ensuring we maintain our high standards for quality, and health, safety, and environmental compliance
• Implement best-practice for project delivery and documentation
• Provide proactive style of management and leadership
• Drive continuous improvement in project processes and systems

Ideally you will have the following attributes:

• Hold a structural / civil engineering degree or equivalent
• Achieved Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status with Engineering New Zealand
• Demonstrate experience (at least 15 years) in structural and civil engineering associated with dams and hydropower or equivalent
• The ability to represent Damwatch as technical lead with key clients
• Demonstrated capability in analysis, problem solving and innovation
• Excellent English language skills (verbal and written)
• Experience in the use of FEA & frame type models – Damwatch uses SAP2000, MIDAS & ANSYS LS-Dyna
• The ability to interact with other design streams including geotechnical, hydraulic design and general civil engineering
• Damwatch principally works on existing dam structures, we require the Principal Structural Engineer to have a comprehensive understanding of behavioral history vs design standards and guidelines
• Demonstrated depth of seismic design experience and understanding
• The ability to support Damwatch develop and diversify our service offering in structural engineering
• Willingness to travel overseas and within New Zealand as required to meet our commitments to clients
• Leadership and mentoring skills to support our structural engineering team

Damwatch offers:

• A great collegial environment with fellow engineers who love what they do
• Training and mentoring in Structural Engineering analysis associated with Dam Engineering in a seismic environment
• The Wellington office base is our preferred location
• The opportunity to work on exciting international projects, based in New Zealand
• Personal, technical and professional development
• A competitive remuneration package

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send a full CV and covering letter to