Electrical Technician - Ecogas Ōtautahi

Pioneer Energy; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Wellness initiatives

Employee Assistance Program

Flu vaccinations

Flexible work options

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Ecogas Ōtautahi in Christchurch seeks an experienced Electrical Technician to help commission and run a brand-new organic waste-to-energy facility. You will join a new Christchurch operations team, working with contractors and the project team to learn the plant inside out and to keep it safe, reliable and performing as intended.

Responsibilities include preventative maintenance, fault-finding, electrical installations, equipment monitoring, and contributing to systems and process improvements

Qualifications

• NZ electrical trade qualification required.
• Experience in electrical trade or industrial maintenance.
• Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with industrial electrical equipment and control systems.
• Understanding of preventative maintenance and plant reliability.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, manuals and technical information.
• Disciplined approach to health and safety, isolations, permits and risk management.
• Ability to plan work, keep records and follow jobs through.
• Current driver licence
• Physical capability to inspect plant and lift up to 20 kg

Responsibilities

• Supporting electrical installation and commissioning of new plant and equipment.
• Taking ownership of preventative electrical maintenance and reliability.
• Diagnosing faults and completing repairs to minimise downtime.
• Monitoring equipment condition and addressing issues before failures.
• Planning electrical work, arranging materials and coordinating contractors.
• Maintaining plant records, compliance information, drawings and as-built documentation.
• Working safely with isolations, permits and pre-work risk assessments.
• Supporting plant operations and mechanical maintenance when needed.
• Developing relationships with contractors, suppliers and site stakeholders.
• Bringing forward ideas to improve safety and reliability.
• Participating in an on-call roster once the plant is operational.

Skills

NZ electrical trade

Industrial maintenance

Fault-finding

Control systems

Read drawings

Health & safety

Planning & records

Driver licence

Lifting 20 kg

Education

NZ electrical trade qualification

Job description

Electrical Technician - Ecogas Ōtautahi (Christchurch)

Help bring Christchurch’s newest renewable energy plant to life

Ecogas is building a brand-new organic waste-to-energy facility in Ōtautahi (Christchurch), and we are looking for an experienced Electrical Technician to join the team as the plant takes shape. You will be there during the early stages, helping commission new equipment, establishing sound maintenance practices, and shaping how the site operates for the years ahead.

Backed by the experience of Ecogas’ established Reporoa operation, the Christchurch facility will turn food waste into renewable gas and fertiliser. It is a practical step forward for the region and a rare opportunity to put your mark on a new industrial plant from the ground up.

If you enjoy figuring out how things work, solving the faults that stop others in their tracks, and leaving plant better than you found it, this could be your next move.

The Role

Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will be the site’s electrical specialist and a key member of the new Christchurch operations team.

During construction and commissioning, you will work alongside contractors, suppliers and the wider project team to get to know the plant inside out. Once operational, your focus will shift towards keeping it safe, reliable and running as it should. That means planned maintenance, fault-finding, electrical installations, equipment monitoring and stepping in when something does not look or sound right.

This is a hands-on role. You will spend time on the tools, but you will also plan work, coordinate contractors, maintain accurate records and look for practical ways to improve plant performance. Because this is a new facility and a new team, you will have genuine scope to influence systems, standards and how work gets done.

Your work will include:

• Supporting the electrical installation and commissioning of new plant and equipment
• Taking ownership of preventative electrical maintenance and reliability
• Diagnosing faults and completing repairs to minimise downtime
• Monitoring equipment condition and addressing issues before they become failures
• Planning electrical work, arranging materials and coordinating contractors
• Maintaining plant records, compliance information, drawings and as-built documentation
• Working safely with isolations, permits and pre-work risk assessments
• Supporting plant operations and mechanical maintenance when needed
• Developing sound working relationships with contractors, suppliers and site stakeholders
• Bringing forward ideas that make the plant safer, more reliable or easier to operate
• Participating in an on-call roster once the plant is operational

About You

You are a qualified electrical tradesperson who is at home in an industrial environment. You know that good maintenance is not just about fixing what has already failed. It is about understanding the plant, noticing the early signs and doing the work properly before a small issue becomes a costly one.

You will need the confidence to make sound calls when the pressure is on, while knowing when to pause, isolate the plant and bring in additional support. You can read drawings and manuals, work methodically through a fault, and explain technical issues in plain language.

Just as importantly, you will be joining a new team. We are looking for someone who shares knowledge, pitches in and helps establish practical ways of working. There will be plenty to learn as the Christchurch facility comes online, so curiosity and a willingness to get stuck in will matter as much as what is already on your CV.

You will bring:

• A recognised New Zealand electrical trade qualification
• Relevant experience in an electrical trade or industrial maintenance role
• Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills
• Experience working with industrial electrical equipment and control systems
• A practical understanding of preventative maintenance and plant reliability 
• The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, manuals and technical information
• A disciplined approach to health and safety, isolations, permits and risk management
• The ability to plan work, keep sound records and follow jobs through
• A current driver licence
• The physical capability to inspect plant, work around industrial equipment and lift up to 20 kg unassisted

Above all, you will be someone who takes ownership. You do not walk past problems, and you do not settle for a temporary fix when there is a better long-term answer.

About Us

At Ecogas, we’re committed to transforming waste into sustainable energy, leading the charge in New Zealand’s renewable energy sector. We believe in creating a circular economy that benefits both the environment and our communities.

We’re part of Pioneer Energy Group, which is majority owned by Central Lakes Trust and supported by a strategic equity partnership with Tōtara Energy LP. Together, our shareholders are committed to long-term, community-focused and sustainable investment in New Zealand’s renewable energy future.

Our values guide how we work and how we support our people:

• We care for each other – acting with compassion, respect, and commitment
• We embrace kaitiakitanga – protecting our people, communities, and environment
• We take ownership – being accountable and empowered to act
• We focus on what matters – delivering with purpose
• We are one team – working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes

Why Work for Us?

We offer benchmarked, competitive remuneration and opportunities for learning and development. Our employee benefits include flexible working options, health, life and trauma insurance, wellness initiatives, Employee Assistance Programmes, flu vaccinations, and volunteering opportunities.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be held throughout the advertising period. Applications close 2 October 2026.