River Engineer

The opportunity

Join Beca’s Southern Water team in Christchurch and contribute to river and waterway projects that support communities across the South Island and throughout New Zealand. You’ll be part of a motivated group of engineers who are committed to delivering practical, high-quality outcomes for the places they work in.

The role covers the full project journey, from early concept and options analysis through detailed design and construction support. You’ll work on river, stormwater, and water resources assignments, applying solid engineering judgement to real-world issues while developing your technical and professional capability.

This position gives you a blend of guidance and autonomy: you’ll have experienced colleagues around you, while also being trusted to take ownership, build client relationships, and balance technical delivery with commercial awareness. Flexible working arrangements are supported, including both part-time and full-time options.

What you’ll do

• Carry out geomorphology assessments, option studies, design work, and construction-related support for river works.
• Contribute to projects involving rivers, stormwater, and water resources from initial planning through to on-site delivery.
• Work with clients across the South Island and wider New Zealand.
• Apply sound judgement to technical challenges while helping deliver practical outcomes.
• Support construction monitoring and collaborate closely with project teams on site.

About you

You are an intermediate to senior River Engineer with strong technical foundations and a hands-on, solution-oriented mindset. You are comfortable working in real environments and contributing to outcomes that are well designed, buildable, and fit for purpose.

You should bring consultancy experience and the ability to organise your workload effectively, manage priorities, and take responsibility for delivery while keeping an eye on quality, schedule, and cost. You work well in multidisciplinary teams and add value through collaboration.

You understand New Zealand practice and are familiar with relevant New Zealand and international standards and guidelines for river works, using them appropriately in local contexts.

Experience and qualifications

• Experience applying geomorphology principles to river systems in practice.
• Hydrology and hydraulic modelling experience to support evidence-based decisions.
• Knowledge of scour assessment and river behaviour during high-flow events.
• Ability to design river works from concept through detailed design.
• Experience supporting delivery through construction monitoring and site collaboration.
• Project management and/or site experience is considered an advantage.
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status, or active progress toward chartership.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in civil engineering or a related field.

What Beca offers

• Opportunities for professional development.
• A supportive, caring environment where you can be yourself at work.
• Help with relocation and immigration for suitable candidates.
• Flexible working options to fit personal and family commitments.
• Access to learning from industry experts and technical specialists across Asia Pacific.
• A collaborative workplace culture with strong knowledge sharing.
• Additional benefits such as discounted health insurance, gym memberships, and social club events.

Culture and inclusion

Beca values a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcomes people of all genders, ethnicities, identities, perspectives, and experiences.