Structural

Jade is an industry leading engineer, and a founder of Kirk Roberts Consulting. Established in 2006, Kirk Roberts has expanded to five offices across New Zealand with a growing team of multi-disciplinary experts and consultants. An innovative leader, Jade specialises in complex engineering and large-scale project developments.

Renowned for his technical expertise and broad industry knowledge Jade’s experience has enabled the company to develop from a small consultancy to New Zealand’s leading medium-sized engineering practice. He is keenly involved in design while providing strategic leadership.

Outside of work, he thrives when pushing his boundaries on the slopes, rugby field and in the surf. In his words, anything his insurance company doesn’t like.

“We’re proud to have created a company with excellent technical competency and quality for clients; one that drives innovation, looks after its employees and has an exceptional culture.”

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Damian McMillan is a founding director of the company, opening the Tauranga office in 2006. With over 20 years in the construction and engineering industry, he is knowledgeable and experienced in managing complex projects, building key client relationships, and developing a national team. He has been exposed to a large variety of projects including industrial, commercial, retail, healthcare, education, and software development. Damian brings succinct communication with a ‘no surprises’ approach for clients. With a passion for innovation, he is focused on driving the company forward through new initiatives, culture, and software development.

When he’s not in the office, you’ll find Damian fishing, diving, or gardening (with a chainsaw and any other powertool!) and spending time with his family.

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Jan is the Regional Manager for the Auckland area and also the Greater Wellington region and brings to the role nearly 20 years of experience in analysis, design, and delivery of multi-disciplinary projects in the residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure sectors. His expertise and focus includes structural engineering, modular and volumetric designs and delivery. He is committed to finding innovative and cost-effective design solutions for clients. He manages a high-performing office environment of 40 professional staff, effectively and with humour.

Jan has previously lived and worked in The Czech Republic, Spain, England, Ireland, and Canada. Out of working hours, he can be found on his mountain bike or hiking and skiing with his family.

“We celebrate 17 cultures in our Auckland office, and we thrive by developing strong and trusted relationships with project stakeholders”

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Nik George leads our South Island team. A structural engineer with over 25 years experience with a strong multidiscipline focus, Nik has worked in the UK on projects ranging in value from $0.5M to $100M across most major sectors. He came to New Zealand in 2012 to work on the Christchurch rebuild. Having settled in New Zealand his role has progressed through the management of national discipline teams to the current role of supporting our 70 staff in Christchurch.

Outside of work he enjoys squash, boating and sea fishing.

“Bringing everyone’s different ideas into focus is a passion for me. Creating and delivering efficient and cost effective solution for our clients is a fundamental driving force.”

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Deborah is a structural engineer and leader with over two decades in New Zealand’s construction and property sector. She has delivered projects across commercial, education, and infrastructure, with recognised expertise in seismic strengthening, structural design, and collaborative project delivery.

As National Structural Manager at Kirk Roberts Consulting, she is focused on guiding the structural team nationwide, fostering innovation, and strengthening KR’s reputation for practical, forward-thinking engineering. Deborah is respected for her ability to connect technical detail with broader development goals, and has contributed to industry working groups, governance roles, and regulatory panels to help shape best practice.

Outside of work, she enjoys exploring Canterbury’s outdoors with her young family.

“I’m excited to have joined Kirk Roberts. What stood out to me was the strong sense of collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. I look forward to supporting our teams nationwide and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in structural engineering.”

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Dean is a Principal Structural Engineer and Senior Technical Leader in the Tauranga office and is a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) with Practice Area qualifications including Structural, Civil, and Engineering Management.

Based in Tauranga for the past 25+ years, Dean brings extensive local knowledge and strong relationships across the Bay of Plenty construction industry, complemented by international experience in London, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong earlier in his career.

Dean is recognised for his advanced technical expertise, sound engineering judgement, and practical approach to complex and significant projects. He works closely with clients, contractors and multidisciplinary project teams from design through to construction, with a strong focus on value engineering and achieving successful project outcomes

His experience spans commercial and industrial developments, multi-storey and apartment buildings, high-end residential, education, retirement living and the food industry.

Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, getting outdoors, keeping active, and family boating trips in the summertime.

“Kirk Roberts is a progressive and innovative company, that is embracing advances in technology across engineering design and documentation to continually improve efficiencies and outcomes for clients. That’s something I’m really pleased to be part of.”

James is motivated by working alongside smart, driven people to solve complex problems. He is excited by the opportunity engineers have to help address some of New Zealand’s most significant building and infrastructure challenges, particularly in the face of climate adaptation, demographic change and global instability. At Kirk Roberts, he values being part of a team that embraces innovation and advances in technology to improve how projects are delivered.

Outside of work, he enjoys tramping, fishing and gardening, as well as spending time with his wife, their two daughters and their dog.

“As engineers, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity to improve the world around us—making the most of the materials we use and always looking for ways to do more with less.”

Julio is a result-driven structural engineer with a passion for sustainable design, leadership, and project coordination. He brings a strong combination of technical depth, aligning stakeholders around shared project goals, and embedding sustainable thinking into the earliest phases of design. Julio plays an active role in the industry, currently serving as part of SESOC’s Management Committee, SESOC’s Sustainable Design Task Force and the IABSE TG6.7, an international group working on the mitigation and transition towards carbon neutrality.

Outside of work, he enjoys pushing his body to the limits doing CrossFit, doing a bit of acting and writing, or trying new coffee places around Christchurch.

“I believe that a genuine care for people and belief in their potential has shaped the way successful and sustainable projects are delivered. Outcomes are built on empathy, teamwork, and a focus on long-term value.”

With 15+ years of experience, Parthiban is an expert in the structural design and supervision of residential, industrial, and commercial projects.

Parthiban and his team provide valuable engineering design input on projects and ensure that this high level of design is followed in construction through to completion. Parthiban takes a personable approach to his work and enjoys developing long-term relationships with clients.

Parthiban enjoys socialising with friends and family, living an active lifestyle, keeping fit, doing sports, and traveling around New Zealand with my wife and two daughters.

Rui provides trusted technical support and leadership to his Christchurch-based team. His technical expertise means he is often called upon to provide input into nationwide technical development and standards within Kirk Roberts.

Rui’s valuable engineering design and excellence have seen him work across a variety of complex projects in a range of sectors. He has also been involved in numerous assessments of existing buildings and the subsequent strengthening and retrofit design works. Rui understands that consistent communication is crucial in creating the best outcome for project stakeholders, and collaborates with the various parties across all project phases to ensure this.

Outside of work, you’ll find Rui spending time with his young family, on his bike, or tinkering in the garage.

Simon has over twenty-eight years’ experience in structural engineering, initially starting his journey designing structures for the water industry, then moving into the world of buildings. Simon has led multidisciplinary design teams on large projects ranging from schools and hospitals to casinos and retail, with specialist, in-depth experience in using steel framing.

Simon relocated to New Zealand, where he has developed a passion for forensic assessment of earthquake-damaged structures and has quickly become one of New Zealand’s leading experts in this field. This specialist expertise has now expanded to providing expert witness services on litigated claims relating to many different structural issues, from design flaws to construction failures and non-compliances, across New Zealand. This expertise has been recently recognised with Simon winning the Engineering NZ President’s Gold Medal Award in 2022 and more recently achieving Fellow status with Engineering NZ in 2023.

In his spare time, Simon can be found in the gym or out walking. At home, Simon has a passion for model building and, being a child of the 80’s he is also a keen gamer.