Protection, Primary or Secondary System Design Engineers
Ready for a lifestyle change without compromising your career?
We are partnering with two leading New Zealand engineering consultancies that are rapidly growing their power and energy teams. Both businesses are seeking experienced engineers across protection, primary and secondary systems, and substation design disciplines.
These opportunities are ideal for engineers who have built strong technical foundations in transmission, distribution, renewable energy, or utility consulting environments and are looking to take the next step in an exciting international market.
Locations available include:
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Hamilton
- Tauranga
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
Visa sponsorship and relocation support are available for suitable international candidates.
The Opportunities
We're recruiting for multiple positions, including:
- Protection Design Engineer
- Primary Systems Engineer
- Secondary Systems Engineer
- Substation Design Engineer
- Lead Engineer
These roles involve delivering innovative and technically challenging projects across transmission, distribution, renewable energy, industrial, and infrastructure sectors.
Depending on your experience, you'll contribute to or lead:
- HV and EHV substation design
- Protection and control system design
- Protection studies and relay settings
- Primary plant design and equipment specification
- Secondary systems and SCADA integration
- Earthing and lightning protection studies
- Cable and network studies
- Project leadership and client engagement
- Design assurance and technical reviews
- Multi-disciplinary project delivery
Two Unique Consultancy Environments
Option 1: Build Something New
Join a globally backed consultancy that is establishing and expanding its energy engineering capability in New Zealand.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape a business from the ground up while enjoying the support, resources, and technical expertise of an established international organisation.
You'll have genuine influence over technical standards, team growth, client relationships, and future capability development.
Option 2: Modern, High-Growth Consultancy
Join one of New Zealand's fastest-growing engineering consultancies, known for its collaborative culture, flexible approach, and energetic team environment.
You'll work alongside ambitious professionals delivering impactful projects while enjoying a workplace that prioritises innovation, wellbeing, and professional growth.
About You
We're interested in speaking with engineers who can bring strong technical capability and consulting experience to these growing teams.
You'll likely have:
- A Bachelor's, Master's, or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering
- A Washington Accord recognised Level 8 or Level 9 qualification
- 5+ years of experience in power systems, protection, substation, primary or secondary design
- Experience working within engineering consultancies, utilities, EPCs, network operators, or owners' engineer environments
- Strong understanding of transmission and/or distribution networks
- Knowledge of protection philosophies, relay settings, and control schemes (for protection-focused roles)
- Experience with HV substation design and associated standards
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- A passion for delivering high-quality engineering outcomes
Lead-level candidates will ideally possess:
- Project leadership experience
- Client relationship management capability
- Mentoring and team development experience
- Commercial awareness and proposal development skills
What's In It For You?
- Meaningful Career Growth
- Join organisations investing heavily in the future of their power and energy businesses.
- Diverse Project Pipeline
- Work across transmission, distribution, renewables, battery storage, and critical infrastructure projects.
- Leadership Opportunities
- Influence technical direction, mentor engineers, and help shape growing teams.
Flexible Location Options
Choose from several major New Zealand cities depending on your lifestyle preferences.
World-Class Lifestyle
Enjoy an exceptional work-life balance, access to world-renowned outdoor recreation, and a welcoming, family-friendly environment.
Competitive Remuneration
- Senior Engineers: typically NZD $150,000-$200,000
- Lead Engineers: typically NZD $200,000-$260,000+
Plus relocation assistance, visa sponsorship, and additional benefits depending on experience.
Interested?
Whether you're an experienced Protection Engineer looking to deepen your technical expertise or a Lead Substation Engineer ready to help build something special, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today to explore confidential opportunities with two of New Zealand's most exciting energy engineering employers, or reach out [email protected]
Pay: $78,365.87 - $180,376.10 per year
Application Question(s):
- This role is based in New Zealand. Normal Visa Sponsorship timelines are 3 months from time off offer to starting onsite in NZ. Would 3-4months relocation align for you?
- What role are you most interested in? protection design engineer, primary design or secondary systems design engineer? or lead?
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