Connections Engineer

Orion; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing allowance

Holiday house in Hanmer

My Days leave

Orion Days

Job summary

Orion in Canterbury is seeking a Connections Engineer to connect customers to the network. You'll undertake early-stage technical assessments, perform load flow modelling and help develop practical connection solutions for large commercial, industrial, solar and housing developments.

You will work with developers, consultants and customers, communicating complex technical details clearly, and manage connections from pre-qualification to application approval.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or equivalent knowledge.
• Strong power systems knowledge with load flow modelling.
• Experience in electricity distribution or similar network environment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Clear communication and customer relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Undertake early-stage technical assessments for new connections.
• Perform load flow modelling and assess network capacity.
• Work across large commercial/industrial loads, solar, housing developments.
• Support technical discovery and develop practical connection solutions.
• Manage customer connections from pre-qualification to application approval.
• Collaborate with customers on capacity, options, queueing, and requirements.
• Support Power Quality work and other technical assessments as needed.
• Contribute to projects, standards, process improvements and smarter ways of working.

Skills

Power systems

Load flow modelling

Analytical skills

Customer communication

Project management

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

As Canterbury continues to grow, electrify and decarbonise, the way customers connect to our network is changing too. From large commercial and industrial developments to business solar, housing developments and new generation, there's a lot happening and this role sits right at the front of it. We're looking for a Connections Engineer who can bring together strong power systems knowledge, practical problem solving and the ability to work alongside others. You'll be one of the key technical contacts for customers wanting to connect to our network. You'll work directly with developers, consultants and customers to understand what they're trying to achieve, assess what's technically possible and help work through how their connection could happen.

About us

Passionate, curious, and innovative are a few words that describe our people. We are powering the future, connecting communities, and igniting innovation. Orion owns and operates the electricity distribution network that provides power to central Canterbury. As the third largest electricity distribution network in New Zealand, we cover remote rural areas, regional towns, and the city of Christchurch. We are an essential service and take our responsibilities seriously. We are community owned and working here means a career with meaning and purpose that makes a difference in your very own neighbourhood.

The role

• Undertake early-stage technical assessments for new customer connections
• Complete load flow modelling and assessing available network capacity
• Work across large commercial and industrial loads, solar and housing developments
• Support technical discovery and developing practical connection solutions
• Help manage customer connections from pre-qualification through to application approval
• Work with customers around capacity, connection options, queueing and technical requirements
• Support Power Quality work and other technical assessments when required
• Contribute to projects, standards, process improvements and smarter ways of working

About you

• Degree qualification in Engineering, or equivalent knowledge gained through practical industry experience
• Strong electricity power systems knowledge, including experience with power flow modelling and different power system technologies
• Experience within electricity distribution, generation, consulting or a similar network environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work through complex technical challenges
• A confident communicator who can simplify technical information, build strong customer relationships and handle challenging conversations when needed
• Organised with strong follow-through, able to juggle multiple priorities and keep things moving when there's plenty on the go
• Naturally curious and proactive, looking for opportunities to contribute to projects, improve processes and develop better ways of working

We offer

• Flexible working arrangements, and flexible locations with our Head office in Burnside and satellite offices in Rolleston and Ferrymead
• Five extra days of leave a year - three days of "My Days" leave and two "Orion Days" between Christmas and New Year!
• A broad range of workplace benefits from a wellbeing allowance to access to our holiday house in Hanmer! You might be surprised to find out that the company that brings the power to your home is innovative, inclusive, progressive, and quite good fun.

To apply

We encourage you to be you in your application! We are truly committed to diversity, inclusion and lifting our cultural capability. Please reach out to us with any questions at [e-mail]. We will be screening applications as we receive them to move swiftly to interviews. To learn more about us, check out our careers site to find out more about working Orion.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this job. Pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process.