Experienced Protection & Automation Project Engineers

Transpower New Zealand; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Transpower New Zealand is seeking a Protection & Automation Project Engineer to contribute across the project lifecycle from scoping to commissioning. You will review outsourced design deliverables, provide technical advice and refine design standards while collaborating with project teams across engineering, delivery, operations and planning.

The role focuses on protection expertise within high-voltage transmission, with varied work including modelling protection schemes, defining practical

Qualifications

• At least 3 years’ experience in HV Protection & Automation design, settings, implementation, commissioning or related project delivery work within the electricity transmission, distribution or generation sectors.
• A practical understanding of transmission assets, secondary systems and reliable grid operation.
• Familiarity with relevant tools or technologies, such as PowerFactory, Python, IEC 61850, DNP3, SEL, Siemens or GE platforms.
• An electrical or power engineering degree - Washington Accord accredited - or an equivalent tertiary qualification, and a willingness to keep growing your expertise.

Responsibilities

• Scoping, reviewing and supporting Protection & Automation work from concept through to commissioning.
• Investigating, modelling and assessing the performance of power system protection schemes under various grid configurations and power flows.
• Working with project managers, consultants, technicians and internal stakeholders to define practical, fit-for-purpose technical solutions that support safe, efficient project delivery.
• Reviewing design deliverables and contributing to project scopes, cost estimates and business cases.
• Supporting updates to protection scheme settings, technical guidance, standard packages and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Supporting technical workstreams, sharing knowledge, and contributing to the development of engineering capability within the team.
• Evaluating new digital and networking technologies and alternative designs that support safer, more efficient project outcomes.

Skills

HV Protection & Automation

Power systems

Grid operation

Education

Electrical or power engineering degree (Washington Accord)

Tools

PowerFactory

Python

IEC 61850

DNP3

SEL

Siemens/GE platforms

Job description

• Build HV protection and automation expertise on critical grid projects
• Work across scoping, design review, technical risk and commissioning
• Strengthen your capability in a collaborative, future-focused engineering team

New Zealand’s transition to a zero-carbon economy will require a secure, reliable electricity system—and significant growth across the national grid. Over the next 15 years, we expect to connect as much new electricity generation as was built during the previous 40, creating an unprecedented programme of work and opportunity at Transpower.

In Grid Development, the Protection & Automation Project Engineering teams contribute to the delivery of Transpower’s investment programme and customers’ new connections by providing project engineering input across high-voltage transmission projects, from early scoping through to design review, technical risk management and commissioning.

The teams work closely with other engineering disciplines to develop practical solutions that meet grid requirements, manage risk, and enable safe, efficient project delivery.

Protection & Automation Project Engineer opportunities (Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch)

Contribute across the project lifecycle by shaping project scopes, reviewing outsourced design deliverables, providing technical advice, refining design standards, supporting commissioning, and helping to improve project engineering practices.

You’ll work collaboratively with colleagues across engineering, delivery, operations, asset planning and system planning, while building your capability in the specialist area of Protection & Automation that is critical to safe, reliable transmission of electricity across the grid. Varied work will include:

• Scoping, reviewing and supporting Protection & Automation work from concept through to commissioning.
• Investigating, modelling and assessing the performance of power system protection schemes under various grid configurations and power flows.
• Working with project managers, consultants, technicians and internal stakeholders to define practical, fit-for-purpose technical solutions that support safe, efficient project delivery.
• Reviewing design deliverables and contributing to project scopes, cost estimates and business cases.
• Supporting updates to protection scheme settings, technical guidance, standard packages and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Supporting technical workstreams, sharing knowledge, and contributing to the development of engineering capability within the team.
• Evaluating new digital and networking technologies and alternative designs that support safer, more efficient project outcomes.

What You’ll Bring

Protection expertise, an interest in developing further in a project engineering environment, sound judgement, curiosity, and a collaborative approach to working with technical and project stakeholders. We’re looking for someone who has:

• At least 3 years’ experience in HV Protection & Automation design, settings, implementation, commissioning or related project delivery work within the electricity transmission, distribution or generation sectors.
• A practical understanding of transmission assets, secondary systems and reliable grid operation.
• Familiarity with relevant tools or technologies, such as PowerFactory, Python, IEC 61850, DNP3, SEL, Siemens or GE platforms.
• The ability to build effective working relationships across internal and external teams and contribute to high-quality, compliant technical deliverables.
• An electrical or power engineering degree - Washington Accord accredited - or an equivalent tertiary qualification, and a willingness to keep growing your expertise.

Join us at Transpower

Our people care deeply about each other and New Zealand. With more than 31 ethnicities represented across Transpower, our strength is in our diverse perspectives, knowledge and experience which we love to share.

We work in the office or on site for at least three days each week to support collaboration, learning and delivery. We also prioritise wellbeing through a broad range of health and wellness benefits. Explore our benefits here: www.transpower.co.nz/about-us/careers-transpower/staff-benefits.

Next steps

Take the next step in your career, gain broader project exposure, enjoy plenty of on the job learning, and contribute to work that supports New Zealand’s electricity future.

We may contact you before the closing date for an initial informal conversation as part of shortlisting. Reasonable accommodation is available to enable a start date to suit your personal circumstances whether that is pre-Christmas or in the New Year.

Applications close Wednesday 28 October.