Engineering & Asset Specialist

LiveHire Limited; New Plymouth; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Powerco is seeking an Engineering & Asset Specialist to lead the team responsible for the critical assets at the heart of the electricity network, including substations, transformers, switchgear and protection systems. You will balance safety, reliability and investment priorities while guiding strategic decisions.

You’ll work with planning, operations and delivery teams to ensure asset health and network resilience as the energy system evolves with electrification and renewable energy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-degree qualified in electrical engineering.
• Experience with high-voltage assets such as substations, transformers or switchgear.
• Ability to interpret technical information, assess risk and make sound commercial decisions.
• Passion for data, analysis and evidence-based decision-making.
• Experience leading people and influencing stakeholders within multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team responsible for critical substation equipment and related assets.
• 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 and protection systems.
• 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.

Skills

Electrical engineering

High-voltage assets

Data analysis

People leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Engineering & Asset Specialist – Electricity Networks

Internal Title: Power Assets Manager

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

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]