Engineering & Asset Specialist

Powerco; New Plymouth; Hybrid; NZD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Powerco is seeking an Engineering & Asset Specialist for Electricity Networks in New Zealand. Location flexibility includes New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Tauranga or Wellington, with a permanent full-time contract.

You will lead engineers and asset specialists, guiding investment priorities and asset health across critical substations and switchgear. You will work with planning, operations and delivery teams to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable electricity for over 350,000 connections,

Qualifications

• Degree in electrical engineering or related discipline.
• Experience with high-voltage electrical assets (substations, transformers, switchgear).
• Ability to interpret technical information, assess risk and make sound commercial decisions.
• Data-driven decision making and analytical rigour.
• Experience leading people and cross-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of engineers and asset specialists responsible for equipment and systems that keep substations safe and reliable.
• Provide technical leadership on asset health, risk, reliability and investment priorities.
• Use data and engineering judgement to guide asset management and investment decisions.
• Develop long-term strategies for critical network assets including transformers, switchgear and substation equipment.
• Collaborate with planning, operations and delivery teams to ensure value for customers and network reliability.
• Contribute to asset management, investment planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Help shape the future electricity network as NZ moves toward greater electrification and renewables.

Skills

People leadership

Data analysis

Risk assessment

Stakeholder influence

Education

Electrical engineering degree

Job description

Engineering & Asset Specialist - Electricity Networks

Internal Title: Power Assets Manager

Location: New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Tauranga or Wellington, with the flexibility to work from the location that suits you best.

Contract: Permanent - Full-time

Purpose of the role

In this role, you'll lead the team responsible for the critical assets at the heart of Powerco's electricity network including substations, transformers, switchgear, protection, control and supporting infrastructure. Together, these assets help us safely and reliably supply electricity to more than 350,000 customer connections while supporting the network's changing needs.

It is a unique opportunity to combine technical expertise, commercial judgement and people leadership. Working alongside highly capable engineers and asset specialists, you'll make risk-based investment decisions that balance safety, reliability, affordability and long-term customer outcomes.

If you enjoy solving technical problems, working with data and analytics, guiding strategic investment decisions, and leading talented people, this role offers the best of both engineering and leadership.

What You'll Do

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of engineers and asset specialists responsible for the equipment and systems that keep Powerco's substations safe, reliable and ready for the future.
• Provide technical leadership and direction on asset health, risk, reliability and investment priorities.
• Use data, analysis and engineering judgement to make informed asset management and investment decisions.
• Develop long-term strategies for critical network assets including transformers, switchgear, protection systems and associated substation equipment.
• Work alongside planning, operations and delivery teams to ensure investment decisions deliver value for customers and support network reliability.
• Be a key contributor to Powerco's asset management, investment planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Help shape the future electricity network as New Zealand transitions toward greater electrification and renewable energy.

What You'll Bring

We're open to candidates from across the electricity and infrastructure sectors who are excited by the opportunity to combine technical leadership with people leadership.

• A degree qualification in electrical engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience working with high-voltage electrical assets, ideally substations, transformers, switchgear or related infrastructure.
• The ability to interpret technical information, understand risk, and make sound commercial decisions.
• A passion for data, analysis and evidence-based decision-making.
• Experience leading people, influencing stakeholders or providing technical leadership within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships.

Experience in asset management, investment planning, operations, maintenance, engineering design, projects or consulting within the electricity, energy or wider infrastructure sectors will be highly regarded. Most importantly, you'll bring sound engineering judgement, curiosity, and a desire to help shape the long-term future of critical infrastructure assets.

Applications close:

Sunday 11 October 2026

Our ability to get the best out of people is what sets Powerco apart. We realise that candidates - especially from underrepresented and neurodiverse backgrounds - often won't apply for roles unless they meet ALL the criteria. We encourage anyone who shares our passion for connecting communities to apply for any role that aligns to your strengths and interests. We will provide a safe space where you can bring your whole self to work and thrive.

If you would benefit from support or adjustments in order to participate equitably in the recruitment process, please phone [phone] or email [e-mail]