Principal Safety Engineer (Road Safety)

• Provide national and regional technical leadership in road safety engineering
• Shape practical, evidence-based safety solutions across New Zealand’s transport network
• Opportunity at Principal or potentially Senior level
• Permanent - based Top of the South Island or Wellington

Join NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi at Principal, or potentially Senior, level and help turn evidence, regional intelligence and best practice into practical safety outcomes across Aotearoa. At Principal level, the role combines deep technical expertise with programme leadership, technical authority and system-wide influence.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

As a Principal Safety Engineer, you will be a senior technical and system leader. You will lead and coordinate regional safety programmes, act as a technical authority on complex interventions and system risks, and influence outcomes across planning, investment, delivery and operation of the state highway network.

Working across a diverse and complex portfolio, you will provide expert, pragmatic and deliverable safety engineering advice and assurance. You will translate evidence and regional intelligence into clear priorities and practical solutions, helping ensure outcomes balance safety, network performance, value for money and the needs of communities.

You will work alongside other Principal Safety Engineers and specialists from across the organisation, connecting national direction with regional delivery. You will bring together evidence, innovation, international best practice and local knowledge to improve how safety outcomes are achieved.

 

In this influential role, you will:

• Lead and coordinate regional safety programmes, connecting regional risks and opportunities with national priorities, investment pathways and delivery programmes
• Act as a technical authority, providing assurance on complex safety interventions, system risks and matters requiring senior professional judgement
• Shape and influence multidisciplinary safety outcomes across planning, investment, project development, delivery, network operations and asset management
• Translate complex evidence and system-level analysis into clear, balanced and actionable recommendations for decision-makers
• Shape practical, integrated and value-for-money safety solutions
• Review proposed safety and traffic engineering improvements
• Provide client-side review and approval of responses to safety audits, and manage relevant departure processes
• Lead or support national and regional safety programmes, including low-cost low-risk initiatives, value-for-money safety improvements and speed management
• Influence the development of national guidelines, standards and specifications
• Represent NZTA in industry forums, community engagement and consultation
• Build trusted relationships with councils, professional services organisations, emergency services and other road safety partners
• Collaborate with Principal Engineers nationally to strengthen consistency, share regional insight and improve technical practice, while mentoring and coaching engineers and senior engineers across the Safety Practice

View the Principal Safety Engineer position description. 

Ko koe tēnei | About you

Please note: Candidates with strong road safety engineering expertise but who may not meet every aspect of the Principal level profile are encouraged to apply. If your skills and experience align more closely to a Senior-level position, we may also consider appointment at that level.

 

Ideally, you will bring:

• Extensive road safety engineering experience
• Expertise in safety treatments, crash analysis and effective interventions
• Knowledge of CAS, RAMM, high-speed data and KiwiRAP
• Experience delivering integrated, value-for-money transport solutions
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Experience working across multidisciplinary teams
• Knowledge of New Zealand’s land transport system and legislation
• Experience coaching and mentoring technical professionals
• A relevant tertiary qualification in transport, civil or highway engineering

 

The scope and accountabilities of the role will reflect the level at which the successful candidate is appointed.

Ko wai mātou | About us

You will join the System and Safety Performance team, working nationally and regionally to lift safety outcomes and network performance across the state highway network.

We offer:

• Five weeks’ annual leave
• Free life, income protection and critical illness insurance for permanent employees
• Flexible working arrangements
• Career development opportunities across a large and diverse organisation
• The opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that benefits New Zealanders.

Ready to help shape safer transport outcomes across Aotearoa?

 

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

20 October 2026

For further information, email: careers@nzta.govt.nz

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.