Infrastructure Design Lead

About the role | Mō te tūnga

Are you an experienced Infrastructure Design professional ready to play a lead role in a complex, multi-disciplinary project? Join the Ministry of Defence and play a pivotal role in delivering fit-for-purpose infrastructure to support New Zealand's defence capability. This is a fixed term role until December 2028.

As our Infrastructure Design Lead, you'll be at the heart of the Maritime Helicopter-60R Integrated Project Team, driving the design of a complex, purpose-built facility at Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base Auckland. This isn't just another building project — it's a chance to deliver infrastructure that directly supports New Zealand's operational readiness and strategic defence goals.

You'll work alongside Defence staff and the Defence Estate & Infrastructure (DE&I) Alliance, navigating technical challenges, regulatory requirements, and operational needs to deliver a solution that's smart, secure, and future-ready.

You will have:

• Proven experience in infrastructure design within large, complex programmes- Great understanding of construction and design standards- Experience managing design consultants and coordinating multidisciplinary teams- Excellent problem-solving, negotiation, and communication skills- An ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure- A tertiary qualification in architecture, engineering, or a related field- Project management certification or equivalent experience is highly desirable

We ask all our people to undertake a commitment to doing their part to deliver on the Crown's commitments to Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We do this by actively striving to build te ao Māori capability into our day-to-day work.

We know that some people, especially women, can be unsure about working in the defence sector. If you're curious, reach out for a confidential chat about what it's like working at the Ministry of Defence at

You don't have to tick every box. If the role sounds like you, please apply.

Who we are | Ko wai mātou

We are the Government's lead civilian advisor on defence. We also purchase major equipment which becomes a capability when it is used by those in service of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Ko mātou ngā kaitohutohu matua ki te kāwanatanga mō ngā kaupapa waonga. Nā mātou hoki, ngā taputapu nunui i hoko, hei āheitanga i roto i ngā ringa o ngā tāne me ngā wāhine o Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa.

Salary and Benefits | Utu ā-Tau

We are careful to maintain pay relativities amongst our people and our roles. For this reason the salary offered for this role will be around $170k – $180K.

We offer a great range of benefits including:- Flexible working that supports the individual, the team and the organisation- An annual wellbeing subsidy- Contributions towards childcare for children up to age 14- Eyewear subsidy- Kiwisaver contribution on top of remuneration- A range of employee-led networks you can join

We support career and skill development. We have a number of internal communities of practise that support the delivery of large complex capabilities for the Defence Force.

Before you apply

Working within our environment means we have to ensure you're eligibile for employment.

You must:- Have been a New Zealand Citizen for at least 10 yearsOR- Hold a current NZ Residency Class Visa and ideally have been a citizen of the UK, USA, Canada or Australia for at least 10 years

Still unsure? Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a security clearance:

Please direct any queries regarding this role to We will not consider applications emailed to this address.

Applications close: 19 November 2025 at 5pm