Asset Lifecycle Engineer - Zone Substations

CGR Services; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exclusive discounts and deals

Employee Reward and Recognition

Health insurance discount

Lifestyle leave

Annual flu vaccines

Career progression opportunities

Leadership development

Job summary

Aurora Energy is seeking an Asset Lifecycle Engineer – Zone Substations to shape the long-term performance and renewal of its substation assets across Otago and Canterbury. The role collaborates with planning, operations, and external partners to prioritise investments and optimise network reliability.

You will lead maintenance strategies, analyse asset data, and drive risk-based renewal programmes while supporting the Asset Management Plan and adoption of new technologies.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering (Level 7 or equivalent).
• 5+ years’ experience with high-voltage substation assets.
• Experience in design, installation, commissioning, operations, maintenance, or asset management.
• Strong understanding of asset lifecycle management, reliability, and risk-based decision making.
• Knowledge of high-voltage equipment, failure modes, and condition assessment techniques.
• Confidence working with asset data, engineering analysis, and long-term planning.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence across technical and non-technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of maintenance and renewal strategies for zone substation assets.
• Monitor asset health, reliability, performance, and emerging risks across the fleet.
• Analyse condition, defect, and performance data to support evidence-based engineering decisions.
• Investigate failures and defects, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Develop risk-based renewal programmes that balance reliability, safety, and whole-of-life cost.
• Contribute to Aurora’s long-term asset investment planning and Asset Management Plan.
• Support the evaluation and adoption of new technologies, methodologies, and asset management practices.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and suppliers to deliver best-for-network outcomes.

Skills

HV substations

Asset lifecycle

Risk-based planning

Data analysis

Stakeholder influence

High-voltage equipment

Communication

Education

Electrical Engineering degree (Level 7)

Job description

Influence how essential substation assets are managed, maintained, renewed, and optimised for decades to come.

We are looking for an experienced Asset Lifecycle Engineer – Zone Substations to join the Aurora Energy team!

This role can be based in Dunedin, Central Otago or Christchurch – yes, we offer relocation assistance for the right candidate!

Shape the future of critical energy infrastructure.

There’s never been a more exciting time to work in energy, and no better time to join Aurora Energy.

As one of New Zealand’s largest electricity networks, we deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable power to more than 200,000 people across Otago and Central Otago. As our network evolves to support electrification, distributed energy, and growing communities, we’re investing in the future of our critical assets, and we’re looking for an experienced engineer to help lead that journey.

About the role

As our Asset Lifecycle Engineer – Zone Substations, you will play a key strategic role in the performance, reliability, and long-term planning of our substation asset fleet.

Working alongside planning, operations, project delivery, strategy teams, and external partners, you’ll use engineering insight, asset data, and risk-based decision making to shape where we invest, what we renew, and how we optimise network performance.

You will work across critical infrastructure including:

• Power transformers
• HV switchgear and circuit breakers
• Secondary systems and protection equipment
• Cables and associated substation infrastructure
• Structural and overhead substation assets

What you will be doing

You will:

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of maintenance and renewal strategies for zone substation assets
• Monitor asset health, reliability, performance, and emerging risks across the fleet
• Analyse condition, defect, and performance data to support evidence-based engineering decisions
• Investigate failures and defects, including root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Develop risk-based renewal programmes that balance reliability, safety, and whole-of-life cost
• Contribute to Aurora’s long-term asset investment planning and Asset Management Plan
• Support the evaluation and adoption of new technologies, methodologies, and asset management practices
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and suppliers to deliver best-for-network outcomes

What you will bring

We’re looking for an engineer who combines technical depth with strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and a passion for continuous improvement.

Ideally, you will bring:

• A degree in Electrical Engineering (Level 7 or equivalent)
• 5+ years’ experience working with high-voltage substation assets
• Experience in one or more of design, installation, commissioning, operations, maintenance, or asset management
• Strong understanding of asset lifecycle management, reliability, and risk-based decision making
• Knowledge of high-voltage equipment, failure modes, and condition assessment techniques
• Confidence working with asset data, engineering analysis, and long-term planning
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence across technical and non-technical teams

Don’t meet every requirement? We’d still love to hear from you.

Why join Aurora Energy?

This is more than an engineering role, it’s an opportunity to shape the future of essential infrastructure.

Here, you will:

• Work with complex, high-value critical assets
• Help enable New Zealand’s energy transition
• Join a collaborative, safety-first, future-focused team
• Be empowered to innovate, challenge, and improve how we work

We offer:

• Exclusive discounts and great deals on over 40 of your favourite brands and stores including air travel, hardware and home appliances
• Employee Reward and Recognition Programme
• Aurora Energy employees can access a discount on health insurance with Southern Cross
• Lifestyle leave option
• Free access to yearly flu vaccines
• Career progression programme – professional development and training opportunities to stay up-to-date with the latest in your field
• Leadership programme – we invest in our people to help them become future leaders
• And many others!

If you’re looking for a role where your engineering expertise will shape infrastructure decisions for generations, we’d love to hear from you.

Asset Lifecycle Engineer - Zone Substations • Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand