Graduate Programme 2027 -Engineering Graduate

Auckland Council is on the hunt for graduates! If you're in your final year or recently graduated and ready to kick-start your career where your work truly matters, our 2-year rotational Graduate Programme is your chance to get stuck in. 

Join the largest local government organisation in Oceania, serving over 1.7 million people, and gain hands-on experience and the opportunity to help shape the future of Tāmaki Makaurau as a world-class city.

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Our Engineering, Assets and Technical Advisory (EATA) department plays a key role in delivering resilient, future-focused infrastructure for Tāmaki Makaurau. We embed resilience thinking into planning, asset management and design standards across a wide range of work, including coastal asset renewals, closed landfill operations, contaminated land, natural hazard risk assessments, structural, geotechnical, civil and coastal engineering, contract management, and environmental monitoring.

EATA is a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, planners, asset managers and project specialists. We work collaboratively across the Council whānau, providing trusted technical advice and subject matter expertise. Our work is also shaped by our ongoing partnership with mana whenua, influencing priorities, design and delivery.

As an Engineering New Zealand Professional Development Partner, Auckland Council is committed to developing its engineers.

As a graduate engineer, you’ll play an important role in project delivery and will:

• Support successful infrastructure project outcomes.
• Help develop engineering standards and guidelines used across Aotearoa’s horizontal infrastructure sector—an excellent opportunity to build your professional profile and work toward CPEng.
• Provide specialist design, engineering advice and technical support across geotechnical, coastal, civil and structural fields.

Your Rotations

Across the two‑year graduate programme, you’ll be supported by an Engineering New Zealand–accredited mentor to build the competencies required for Chartered Engineer status. We are offering an opportunity to join the EATA team in a structured rotational programme spanning our specialist technical teams, including:

• Coastal engineering

Working alongside coastal scientists and engineers to assess Auckland’s coastal hazards. With this team, you will be supporting coastal hazard assessments including erosion and inundation as well as climate change drive sea level rise and undertaking inspections for performance assessment and renewal planning for coastal structures around Auckland’s shoreline.

• Geotechnical engineering

Assisting with geotechnical site inspections and investigations as well as geotechnical risk evaluation for natural hazards, public spaces and infrastructure. This team provides specialist expert advice on regionwide geotechnical risks as well as support for consenting.

• Natural hazards

Comprised of scientists and engineers, this team produces plans, maps and natural hazard studies and research to help make sure that Auckland’s natural hazards are appropriately assessed, understood, mapped and coordinated across Council. They also provide technical advice and guidance on geohazards and coordinate the Natural hazards Risk Management Action Plan, Natural Hazards Community of Practice as well as the Auckland Lifelines Group and Lifeline Utility Coordinator (LUC) function for Auckland Emergency Management.

• Structural engineering

Providing specialist design and engineering advice and support for consenting.

• Closed landfill and contaminated land

Providing support to over 200 Council owned closed landfills across the region including operation, maintenance, renewals and monitoring.  This team provides technical representation on behalf of Council through national and industry bodies, initiatives and advocacies.

• Technical Standards

Working with the team responsible for developing and maintaining the currency of the engineering technical standards, specifications, codes of practice and guidance documents which are used by industry practitioners, asset owners, specifiers and regulatory to shape how Auckland infrastructure and spaces are designed, constructed and maintained. Here you will work closely with subject matter experts across the wider Council family and support technical reviews and best practice research contributing to development of new and updates to our existing standards.

The unique role is designed to grow the next generation of technical specialists to understand complex asset challenges, gain practical experience, mentorship and exposure to real projects to deliver high quality engineering solutions for our region.

Start date of programme, Monday 15th February 2027

He kōrero mōu: About you

We’re looking for a graduate who is eager to learn, highly collaborative, and motivated to grow in a dynamic environment. You’ll bring strong attention to detail, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to stay organised while applying sound analytical thinking. Adaptability is essential, as is confidence in preparing clear reports and presenting information to a wide range of audiences.

We welcome applications from graduate with qualifications in one of the following disciplines:

• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Coastal Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Engineering Natural Resources

You must have:

• A minimum of a relevant Bachelor’s degree 
• Eligibility to work in Aotearoa New Zealand for more than 4 years without sponsorship
• Have a valid NZ-restricted driver’s license with the ability to obtain a full licence by February 2027

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

You’ll gain a broad understanding of council operations and receive the support you need to step into a permanent role at the end of the programme. We offer flexibility, wellbeing support, tailored learning opportunities, and a development pathway designed to accelerate your career. You’ll also be part of a supportive graduate cohort throughout your journey.

We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick, a signatory of the Pride Pledge. These commitments reflect our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. 

How we’ll support you as a candidate

We aim to provide an experience where you feel comfortable, supported, and able to be yourself.

• We value whakapapa, reo, and tikanga as strengths - bring your whole self to mahi.
• If you prefer a virtual interview or would like whānau support included, just let us know during the recruitment process.
• We’ll work with you on any access needs so you can show your best self.

For more information about the graduate programme, please visit our careers page.  

Te Tukanga Tono: Application process

• Online application – CV + a few quick questions
• One-way video interview
• Formal interview with a 2-person panel – in person or virtual
• Pre-employment checks
• Offer – Nau mai ki te whānau!

We will be reviewing and progressing applications as they are received, so get your application in now!  

Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of. Nau mai, uru mai, your journey starts here.

Me Tono Ināianei!: Apply Now!

Applications close: Sunday, 29 March 2026

Find a copy of the position description here: Graduate Engineer PD

This role has a remuneration of $68,000

Our employer KiwiSaver contribution is additional to the base salary offered. 

This role is deemed safety sensitive, and in line with Auckland Council policy, you will be required to complete pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.