Design Manager-Major Infrastructure

Ready to move beyond pure design and take ownership of how major infrastructure projects come together?

This is an opportunity to step into a growing Auckland team where you’ll work across technically challenging infrastructure, influence delivery outcomes, and build your career in design and engineering management.

About the company
This specialist engineering consultancy works at the interface between design, construction and project delivery.

They’re growing quickly in New Zealand, with a strong pipeline of infrastructure work and an increasing presence in Auckland. The environment offers the technical depth and project exposure of a larger consultancy, without the layers or rigid hierarchy.

About the role
You’ll take a lead role coordinating design across major infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on water, wastewater and linear infrastructure.
This isn’t a drafting or programming position. You’ll be working across designers, contractors and clients to manage technical interfaces, improve constructability and ensure design decisions support successful delivery.

For an experienced engineer looking to move into design management, there’s genuine scope to grow into the position with support from senior technical leaders.

What's on offer

• Major infrastructure projects with strong long-term pipeline
• Clear pathway into senior design and engineering management
• Genuine autonomy within a growing Auckland operation
• Flexible working and a practical approach to work-life balance
• Exposure across water, transport, energy and wider infrastructure
• Competitive salary package aligned with your experience
• Opportunity to help shape the NZ team as it grows

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design activities
• Manage interfaces between design and construction teams
• Drive constructability, technical assurance and design outcomes
• Engage directly with clients, consultants and contractors
• Identify technical risks and resolve delivery issues
• Support tenders, proposals and future Auckland growth
• Mentor and support developing engineers

What you will need
You’ll bring at least 5 years’ design experience within infrastructure, ideally with exposure to water/wastewater, pipelines, transport, bridges or major civil projects.

Some construction, design management or contractor-side experience would be particularly valuable although not essential. 

You’ll communicate confidently with technical and non-technical stakeholders and enjoy taking ownership rather than waiting for direction.

CPEng or progress towards chartership is advantageous but not essential.

Want to find out more?
If you’re ready to move closer to project delivery and build a career in design management, get in touch with Grada Recruitment for a confidential conversation.

James Stevenson
0223171208 
[email protected]