Associate Director - Renewable Energy (Solar)

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM New Zealand Limited is seeking an Associate Director for Renewable Energy (Solar) to lead technical delivery and client engagement across NZ solar projects. You will drive engineering excellence, manage complex delivery, and mentor engineers in the Generation and Storage team.

The role supports solar and BESS initiatives, with hybrid work in Christchurch and potential mobility to other NZ offices. New Zealand construction standards, risk management, and stakeholder collaboration are key

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of Solar, Renewable and related energy engineering requirements.
• Strong ability to lead delivery of complex solar and renewables projects.
• Proven track record building client relationships at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Be the Solar and related subject matter project delivery and technical lead in NZ, connecting with clients and the market to originate project proposals acting as a trusted advisor.
• Support business development activities, including bid and proposal response processes.
• Lead the technical approach with client technical teams and AECOM disciplines across solar and electrical engineering.
• Prepare and review procurement requirements, technical schedules, guarantees and performance criteria.
• Lead procurement and tender evaluations, interrogating models, assumptions and risk.
• Support contract negotiations on performance guarantees, warranties and O&M obligations.
• Lead project delivery in Owners Engineer, Project or Design Management leadership roles.
• Provide market insight and mentoring for the growth of Solar engineers in the team.
• Work with NZ market regulations and project delivery requirements across solar and BESS projects.
• Mentor and coach other Solar and Renewable Engineers in theGeneration and Storage team.

Skills

Solar engineering

Leadership

Project delivery

Client relationships

NZ regulations knowledge

Education

Electrical engineering degree

Chartered Engineer (advantage)

Job description

Associate Director - Renewable Energy (Solar)

• Full-time
• Business Group: DCS
• Legal Entity: AECOM New Zealand Limited
• Business Line: Energy
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: NZ - Christchurch

Come and grow with us.

AECOM’s Energy practice provides a wide range of services from consulting and design to advisory and procurement support for power, energy efficiency, and renewable energy clients. Our understanding of the big picture – and the interconnection between generation, distribution, transmission, energy storage, and the demand side of the meter – allows us to deliver holistic strategies that improve and modernise next generation energy infrastructure. We connect knowledge and experience across our global framework to bring together a unique combination of engineers, planners, scientists, and project managers who advance cleaner, secure, and more sustainable energy solutions.

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

Newly created leadership role as Associate Director – Renewable Energy (Solar) with AECOM’s New Zealand (NZ) renewable team, leading technical and delivery requirements across solar projects.

In this role, you will be leading the technical and delivery requirements for this key renewable market, as well as working with clients supporting the development of client relationships through delivery excellence. You will be leading AECOM’s approach providing technical, project, Owners Engineer, commercial and advisory solutions across complex solar hybrid projects with varied client, site, engineering and delivery requirements. You will be applying your subject matter expertise across all solar project related technical requirements including the operation of the solar generation assets such as PV panels, inverter transformers, plant power controllers, SCADA and security systems, pile driving, tracker systems, harmonic filters. In addition, you will be considering other project requirements such as BESS integration (AC / DC coupled), transmission and grid requirements. Your ability to build positive working relationships as a trusted advisor with a broad range of stakeholders including contractors, site teams and OEMs will be important. You will also be balancing project delivery excellence, supporting the delivery of complex, innovative, and rapidly evolving technical requirements for Solar and BESS projects with an understanding of NZ construction regulation and requirements as they apply to the Owners Engineer role and design.

You will have a broad scope to make a lasting difference throughout NZ during a rapidly evolving renewable energy landscape, as our clients look to explore and solve renewable generation options as part of the energy transition. You will be part of the AECOM Generation & Storage team and Energy business line in NZ, with technical subject matter expertise available across multiple disciplines in NZ, Australia and globally, to provide solutions for project and client requirements. The fast-paced and innovative nature of projects will suit an engineering and technical leader looking to grow client relationships and make a difference across the NZ sector in a client and market facing role. Scope exists to also work on Australia solar projects, depending on client and project requirements.

How you will make a difference

• Be the Solar and related subject matter project delivery and technical lead in NZ, connecting with clients and the market to originate project proposals acting as a trusted advisor.
• Support business development activities, including bid and proposal response processes, working across AECOM’s team of subject matter leaders across engineering disciplines.
• Lead the technical approach working with client technical teams, as well as with AECOM disciplines, applying Solar, electrical and renewable related engineering capability.
• Prepare and review Principal's requirements, technical schedules and guarantees covering net power, usable energy, round-trip efficiency, availability, auxiliary consumption, degradation, augmentation, throughput, response performance and reactive-power capability.
• Lead procurement and tender evaluations to normalise competing offers by interrogating assumptions, exclusions, operating limits, warranted curves, design margins, augmentation strategies, lifecycle costs and technical risks.
• Support contract negotiations on performance guarantees, test and acceptance methods, warranties, liquidated damages and remedies, scope interfaces, long-term service obligations, operations and maintenance, and augmentation responsibilities.
• Leading project delivery either in an Owners Engineer, Project or Design Management leadership capability, or liaising with AECOM’s project management teams, ensuring scope, timeframe and client budget requirements are met.
• Provide input and advocate for the NZ market across the AECOM internal Generation and Storage teams from a market insight, technical and project requirement perspective.
• Provide mentoring and coaching for the development of other Solar and Renewable Engineers in the Generation and Storage team, supporting their career development.

Ideally based in Christchurch, this role has scope to be based in other main AECOM offices throughout New Zealand. Some domestic travel is required depending on client, site, project and people leadership requirements.

To be successful in this Associate Director role, you will be a leader known across the Solar, Renewable and related energy markets in NZ. You will have current networks and a reputation for being a trusted advisor known for your ability to deliver complex Solar, renewable and related projects, working with different engineering disciplines.

You will have a strong track record of project delivery in the NZ market, being able to provide project advice as an Owners Engineer innately knowing what is critical for Solar projects during delivery stages. Understanding and experience with NZ construction regulations and requirements will be important. Most likely your technical engineering abilities, will be across the electrical, or related disciplines.

You will also be known for your ability to connect with senior leaders, to understand their technical, commercial and project needs, being able to provide solutions and proposals that meet these needs and support other AECOM market leaders.

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, however if you don’t tick all the boxes, you could still be a good fit for this role. We invite applications from a broad range of backgrounds, and all applications will be considered.

What you will bring

• Deep knowledge of Solar, Renewable and related Energy engineering requirements with 10+ years (ideally more) in Solar or related energy engineering with a focus on project delivery on complex projects.
• A track record and ability for building positive client relationships, across senior leaders and with technical engineering, project, contractor, OEMs and site teams.
• Current relationships and a network working with a broad range of solar and renewable related clients, including developers, energy generators, private and public sector clients.
• A background and experience of working in either / or a combination of consulting, developer, OEM, integrator or EPC industries.
• Detailed understanding of solar and BESS performance criteria and guarantees, including net power, usable energy, round-trip efficiency, auxiliary consumption, availability, response, thermal derating, degradation, warranty limits and acceptance testing.
• Experience with factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, commissioning, capacity or efficiency testing, and verification of contractual performance requirements is highly regarded.
• Demonstrated experience preparing or reviewing procurement documentation, evaluating and normalising bids, undertaking technical due diligence, assessing departures and supporting commercial negotiations.
• Track record assuring quality and compliance—confirming what is built aligns with detailed design and contractual performance obligations, ideally within the NZ market.
• Commercial acumen and negotiation skills, with the ability to assess lifecycle value, risk allocation, warranties, performance remedies, long-term service agreements, operations and maintenance obligations, and augmentation strategy.
• Degree in Electrical, or related engineering discipline – a postgraduate qualification such as being a Chartered Engineer or a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy is advantageous.
• A passion for mentoring and the development to support the growth of the next generation of Solar and Renewable Engineers.

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, noting the ability to visit solar sites will be important. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in‑person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.