Engineering Manager – EC&I

Contact Energy Ltd; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Parental leave policy

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Contact Energy is seeking an Engineering Manager for the BESS 2 project to lead technical delivery from design through operation. You will coordinate discipline engineers, consultants and partners to ensure clear direction and successful integration of design, procurement and grid connection.

You will drive key engineering decisions, manage interfaces, ensure quality and safety compliance, and contribute to long-term lifecycle outcomes for Contact Energy across Aotearoa.

Qualifications

• Experience leading engineering teams for large-scale energy projects.
• Strong background in power generation or heavy industry environments.
• Understanding of regulatory and safety requirements for major infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across the BESS 2 project lifecycle.
• Direct design contracts, technical specifications, procurement and construction.
• Manage interfaces with consultants, vendors and stakeholders (e.g., Transpower).
• Shape operation and maintenance thinking for new assets.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Power systems

Project delivery

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent qualification

Professional registration (CPEng / IntPE)

Tools

Contract management

Grid connection processes

Job description

Whakatakoto te tūāpapa | Laying the foundation

At Contact, we’re working to build a more sustainable energy future for Aotearoa, and major projects are a big part of how we make that happen. That means investing in the infrastructure, technology and capability needed for a changing electricity system, while making thoughtful decisions that create long-term value.

Our Glenbrook battery projects are part of that journey, and we’re looking for an Engineering Manager to take a leading technical role in our BESS 2 project. This is an opportunity to help shape a significant energy project from engineering and design through procurement, construction and ultimately into operation, working alongside our people, consultants, contractors, suppliers and industry partners to get the best possible outcome.

Job Description

Te āhua o te tūranga | The nature of the role

As Engineering Manager for BESS 2, you’ll be the technical lead for the project through execution and closure. You’ll bring together a talented group of discipline engineers, consultants and partners, giving them the clarity, direction and support they need to deliver. From design contracts and technical specifications through to procurement, construction and grid connection, you’ll be the person helping make sure the engineering pieces come together.

There’s plenty of depth to get into. You’ll lead key engineering decisions, manage interfaces between consultants, vendors and stakeholders such as Transpower, oversee technical quality and assurance, and help the wider project team navigate those inevitable moments where engineering, commercial considerations, risk and programme all meet. You’ll also play an important role in shaping operation and maintenance thinking for the new assets. Throughout it all, you’ll keep an eye on the bigger picture, making decisions based not simply on what works today, but what will deliver the best lifecycle outcome for Contact over the long term.

Qualifications

Ko wai koe | About you

You’re an experienced engineering leader who understands that delivering a great technical outcome is as much about people and relationships as it is engineering. You can work through complex problems, make sound decisions when there are competing priorities, and explain the thinking behind them clearly. You’re comfortable giving candid technical advice, but equally comfortable listening, bringing different perspectives into the room and changing tack when there’s a better way forward. When things get busy, you’re someone who brings calm, energy and momentum rather than noise.

For the foundations, we’re looking for an engineering degree or equivalent qualification, significant engineering experience within the power sector or a similarly complex heavy industry environment, and strong technical leadership capability. You’ll need experience working across project delivery, contracts and the asset lifecycle, along with an understanding of the regulatory and safety environment that surrounds major infrastructure. Just as importantly, you’ll have the relationship skills to work effectively with senior leaders, engineers, consultants, contractors, suppliers and external stakeholders.

Professional registration such as CPEng or IntPE, extensive power generation experience and deep knowledge of the regulatory environment would all be great to bring, but we’re interested in the whole package. If your experience doesn’t line up perfectly with every point, but you’ve led complex engineering work, know how to bring people together and reckon you could make an impact here, ka pai, we’d still really like to hear from you.

Our projects and people are spread across Aotearoa, so you’ll also be comfortable getting out and about when the work calls for it. There’ll be travel involved from time to time, whether that’s spending time on site, connecting with project teams or working alongside our partners. You’ll be someone who enjoys that variety and sees value in being there in person when it matters.

Additional Information

Our projects and people are spread across Aotearoa, however our preference is for candidates based near our Renewable Growth hubs in Auckland, Tauranga Taupo or Wellington.

You’ll also be comfortable getting out and about when the work calls for it. There’ll be travel involved from time to time, whether that’s spending time on site, connecting with project teams or working alongside our partners. You’ll be someone who enjoys that variety and sees value in being there in person when it matters.

There are a bunch of perks to being a permanent Contact kaimahi. Along with great leadership, teammates, development, and growth and progression opportunities, free health insurance cover, better-than-your-average leave, access to Contact Shares, a "Good to be Home" annual payment toward your home set up & wellbeing, a trail-blazing parental leave policy, bi-annual payments towards Contact Energy products, and more!

Applications Close 5pm Monday the 9th of November

Here at Contact Energy (Te Mata Hiko), we know our strength lies in developing a sense of belonging - one that helps us attract and retain people with a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our customers and communities to help build a better Aotearoa New Zealand.

We have a rich community of talented people that we support to thrive at Contact.

Our inclusive hiring process is designed to embrace the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand, ensuring a wide range of perspectives are included in our decision-making and helping reduce bias along the way.

The wellbeing of our kaimahi is super important to us.

We use employee insights to offer a range of initiatives and resources to support physical, mental, financial and emotional wellbeing – including flexible working arrangements, employee network groups and a market-leading parental leave policy.

At Te Mata Hiko, we want everyone to thrive. We welcome applicants far and wide - of every age, stage, background, and pride. Join us and be part of a team that values your passion and attitude just as much as your experience and skills.

Please note, only candidates with the right to live and work in New Zealand will be considered for this role.

Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet 60% of the criteria, women and those in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they tick every box.We're not about box ticking, so if you think you have what it takes but don't meet everything stated above, please still get in touch. We'd love to kōrero.

Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) does not accept any CVs received from recruitment agencies where a formal engagement has not been confirmed and agreed to with our Talent team. In the event that unsolicited CVs are submitted by recruitment agencies, Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and consider them for current/future vacancies without any financial obligation to the recruitment agency in question. This will also apply to any CVs sent directly to line managers.