Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Job Description

Principal Geotechnical Engineer – Auckland

At Mott MacDonald NZ, we’re more than an engineering, management and development consultancy — we’re a purpose-driven collective of thinkers, doers, and change-makers. As a wholly independent, employee-owned company, we empower our people to lead with integrity, collaborate with heart, and innovate with impact.

Your opportunity to lead and inspire

We’re seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join our Auckland team and play a key role in delivering impactful infrastructure projects across Aotearoa and beyond. This is a career-defining opportunity to lead technical excellence, mentor emerging talent, and shape the communities we serve.

You’ll work across a diverse portfolio of projects, providing expert input into tunnelling, foundations, retaining structures, slope stability, and geotechnical interpretations for civil infrastructure. You’ll also support global teams through internal consulting and knowledge sharing.

As a trusted technical leader, you’ll:

• Lead geotechnical input on major infrastructure projects
• Prepare specifications, reports, and oversee site inspections
• Attend client meetings and manage stakeholder relationships
• Guide and mentor junior engineers and technical staff
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across transport, water, aviation, and structural engineering
• Apply your deep understanding of construction methods and geotechnical risk
• Support innovation and continuous improvement in design and delivery

What you’ll bring

• A degree in civil or geotechnical engineering
• 12–16 years of post-graduate experience in geotechnical engineering
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status
• Auckland Council Producer Statement Author (PS1) accreditation
• Software requirements include knowledge and experience in Plaxis, Rocscience / Geostudio suites for modelling and analysis.
• Proven experience in ground characterisation, seismic assessment, and geotechnical design
• Strong project management and client engagement skills
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to mentoring others
• A passion for delivering high-quality, community-focused outcomes

Why Mott MacDonald?
We’re a global consultancy with a strong local presence — and we’re growing. We believe in empowering our people, celebrating achievements, and creating a workplace where everyone belongs. Our culture is built on trust, integrity, and care.

What we offer

• Competitive salary
• Agile Work Policy
• Enhanced KiwiSaver contributions
• Discretionary Group and Personal Performance Bonuses for eligible employees
• Ongoing professional development and mentoring
• Opportunities to work on iconic, high-impact projects
• A culture that prioritises wellbeing, sustainability, and inclusion

Join us in making a positive impact
If this role resonates with you — even if you don’t tick every box — we encourage you to apply. We hire people who share our values of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, and integrity.

You’ve got this.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.