Senior Civil CAD Drafter

Pattle Delamore Partners (PDP) is a leading environmental and engineering consultancy with a strong presence across Aotearoa. We partner with clients, iwi, and communities to shape resilient infrastructure and deliver enduring outcomes for people and place. With a growing pipeline of complex, nationally significant projects, we are continuing to invest in our digital capability and are looking for a senior leader to help strengthen and evolve this area of our business.

This is an opportunity to influence how digital design is delivered across one of New Zealand’s largest and most respected water infrastructure teams.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced CAD/Digital Design Manager to lead and grow our digital design function within the Water Infrastructure Group. This is a senior leadership role that combines hands-on technical delivery with people leadership, strategic thinking, and collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams.

You will play an important role in how PDP designs, collaborates, and delivers. From setting standards and improving workflows to mentoring a high-performing team, your work will directly support major water infrastructure and geotechnical projects across the country.

This role will suit someone who enjoys balancing technical excellence with leadership and wants to have a meaningful influence on how infrastructure is designed and delivered.

What you will do

• Be responsible for setting up, preparing and managing detailed drawing sets for complex projects in accordance with PDP CAD standards and client specifications.
• Collaborate with water infrastructure and geotechnical engineers, project managers, and stakeholders to define project requirements and deliverables.
• Prepare construction drawings including plans, sections, details, and contributing to schedules of quantities.
• Undertake civil design and modelling using AutoCAD Civil 3D to produce CAD models, engineering drawings, visualisations, and digital assets for earthworks, roads, water supply, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure.
• Mentor and train junior staff in the ongoing development of their digital CAD design skills.
• Liaise with water infrastructure and geotechnical engineers and stakeholders to ensure design accuracy and coordination.
• Support the development and maintenance of CAD libraries, templates, and digital design databases.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and digital design transformation within PDP.
• Maintain quality control processes to ensure accuracy and reliability of all digital outputs.

What you will bring

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil or Mechanical), Digital Design, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in civil design drafting and digital design within an engineering consultancy or technical environment.
• Strong capability across AutoDesk tools including AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Navisworks, Plant 3D, and Revit.
• A strong technical foundation paired with excellent visualisation and problem-solving skills.
• Proven experience leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams.
• A proactive mindset with an interest in learning, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams.
• Confidence working in complex, fast-moving project environments.

What we offer

• A senior leadership role with influence over how digital design is delivered across major water infrastructure projects.
• The opportunity to lead and shape a growing digital design team within a nationally recognised consultancy.
• A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, income protection, parental leave top-up, and the option to purchase additional annual leave.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance.
• Ongoing professional development, training support, and fully subsidised professional membership fees.
• Project work that contributes to resilient infrastructure, environmental protection, and community outcomes.
• A supportive, inclusive workplace that values collaboration, diversity, and people.

About PDP

Pattle Delamore Partners brings together specialist expertise across engineering, science, planning, and advisory services. Our multi-disciplinary teams work collaboratively to deliver practical, evidence-based solutions that respect air, land, and water.

We believe in partnerships that matter, working closely with clients, iwi, and communities to achieve enduring outcomes. As an employee-owned consultancy with nearly 40 years of experience, PDP offers a strong sense of purpose, stability, and opportunity to grow with the business.