senior project engineer / project manager. auckland
About the Company
Liftpass has been retained by a specialist engineering consultancy with decades of heritage in aviation and logistics, and a reputation for driving and delivering high-value projects in airport infrastructure, baggage handling, cargo and automated materials handling solutions.
Their Oceania operation is in growth mode, their expertise is in demand and they are actively engaged in major projects on both sides of The Tasman as well as further afield. It's a business that genuinely invests in its people, values curiosity and continuous improvement, and hires with the intention that you'll build a long career as they continue to grow.
About the Role
This is a client-facing SME role. You'll be a key link between airport stakeholders, contractors and the consultancy's global engineering teams, and you'll stay involved across the full project lifecycle, from feasibility through to punch list. You'll report to the Regional Director and initially, be mostly on site at Auckland Airport.
Liaising with airport operations directors and senior stakeholders, you'll translate technical detail into business language, manage expectations when programmes shift, and have the confidence to challenge stakeholders. You'll also help grow the business through presentations and business development, and mentor junior engineers as the team expands.
Key responsibilities include
- Acting as the liaison and subject matter expert between clients, contractors and internal teams.
- Carrying out site inspections, field surveys, equipment testing and construction management.
- Assessing sites for feasibility and operational requirements.
- Developing and reviewing CAD drawings, engineering designs, specifications and technical reports.
- Managing project budgets, programmes and logistics, including RFI responses and punch list close-out.
- Preparing status reports, cost estimates and technical studies.
- Running and reviewing system simulations and verifying compliance with project requirements.
- Working with architects, designers, engineers and trades across multidisciplinary teams.
- Providing specialist support to colleagues in other offices on BHS controls and installation, electrical systems design, and emerging trends in baggage and ground handling.
- Mentoring new and junior staff
About You
You're a technically strong engineer or project manager who is also ready for consultancy work. You're highly professional, articulate and commercially aware, and you're comfortable working on your own in front of a client. You pay close attention to detail, you add value to the teams around you, and you can run several projects concurrently.
You have:
- Experience with baggage handling systems, warehouse automation, factory automation or similar multimillion-dollar conveyor systems.
- A bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical or industrial engineering, aviation management, airport planning or a related discipline.
- At least two years in a Senior Project Engineer or Project Manager role, or a comparable technical position.
- A track record of delivering complex projects with multiple stakeholders from start to finish.
- Strong client-facing skills, including the confidence to challenge stakeholders as the SME.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including preparing technical reports and project documentation.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
- Unrestricted New Zealand working rights.
Highly regarded:
- Direct BHS, or airport operations experience.
- Revit or AutoCAD proficiency.
- Established networks in aviation, airports or logistics across Oceania.
- A postgraduate qualification, PMP, or EIT/PE certification.
If you've delivered large-scale automated or conveyor systems and you're comfortable being the expert in the room, contact Ian Eker +61 435985089 / ian.eker@liftpass.com.au for a confidential conversation.
