Technical Director - Geotechnical Engineering

About the Company

AECOM is a prominent global leader in infrastructure services, dedicated to excellence across water, environment, energy, transportation, and buildings sectors. The company’s Geotechnical team boasts deep expertise in tackling challenging ground condition projects spanning New Zealand and internationally, supporting clients throughout the complete project lifecycle from feasibility through to construction and optimization.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Technical Director specialized in Geotechnical Engineering to provide strategic technical leadership and drive practice direction. This role involves managing the delivery of complex geotechnical infrastructure projects mainly across Auckland and New Zealand, enhancing client relationships, cultivating market growth, and mentoring technical staff firm-wide.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead major geotechnical project execution nationwide ensuring technical excellence.
• Provide expert advice on soft ground engineering, slope stability, retaining structures, deep excavations, foundations, and ground improvement methods.
• Support transport, water, and power infrastructure projects with specialist geotechnical insights.
• Oversee geotechnical design development, coordinate deliverables, and offer construction support throughout all project phases.
• Guide numerical modeling applications pertinent to earthquake and broader geotechnical engineering challenges.
• Serve as senior reviewer to validate complex geotechnical project outputs.
• Expand and reinforce key client partnerships while identifying business opportunities.
• Lead business development ventures including proposals, tender negotiations, and strategic initiatives.
• Mentor and nurture technical teams promoting professional advancement and knowledge sharing at both local and global levels.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Chartered Professional Engineer status or eligibility to attain CPEng.
• Over 20 years of geotechnical engineering experience, primarily within consulting environments.
• More than 10 years of leadership in geotechnical design, with preference for experience in NZTA and other significant infrastructure projects.
• Proven track record in delivering complex infrastructure projects across transportation, water, and energy sectors.
• Expertise in soft ground engineering, slope stability, earthworks, retaining structures, deep excavations, ground improvement, earthquake engineering, numerical methods, and foundation design.
• Demonstrated competence as a lead reviewer, verifier, or technical advisor on major projects.
• Strong leadership, commercial acumen, client relationship management, project management including quality, scheduling, budgeting, and client satisfaction.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with New Zealand geotechnical design practices and infrastructure delivery contexts.
• Active participation in the professional community evidenced by leadership roles, networks, publications, or conference contributions.

Additional Information

• Flexible work arrangements tailored to market and client needs.
• Option to purchase up to 6 extra weeks of annual leave annually.
• Volunteer and representative leave provisions.
• Ability to swap public holidays such as Easter for more suitable dates.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Mandatory in-person onboarding on the first day at an AECOM office as a condition of employment.

We encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities or neurodiverse conditions, and will accommodate as required during recruitment.