Generation Development Engineer

Marlborough Lines; Blenheim; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and income protection

Birthday leave

Health and well-being program

Job security as essential service

Job summary

Marlborough Lines is seeking an experienced Generation Development Engineer to identify and deliver development opportunities in its energy transition, focusing on grid-scale solar farms. You will shape commercially sound, technically robust opportunities aligned with Marlborough Lines’ strategy and Energy Marlborough's delivery approach.

This role combines strategic thinking, technical insight and commercial acumen, suited to someone who owns opportunities from idea to delivery and collaborates

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering is preferred.
• At least 5 years’ broad electrical engineering experience in electricity generation or distribution.
• Strong understanding of energy technologies, especially large-scale solar PV.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify commercial and technical opportunities within NZ electricity industry.
• Assess viability via concept development and feasibility studies.
• Lead electrical, comms, control and SCADA development for medium-scale solar farms (1–9 MW).
• Provide technical support to operational teams for fault diagnosis and rectification.
• Assist in developing financial models and business cases (CAPEX, revenue, risk).
• Build and manage relationships with partners, contractors, suppliers and regulators.
• Support proposals for management and Board consideration and risk management.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Project management

Financial acumen

Communication

Problem solving

Solar PV

NZ driver’s licence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SCADA

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Marlborough Lines – Blenheim, South Island

Marlborough Lines is the electricity distribution company that owns and operates the local electricity network across the Marlborough region. We are proud to play a critical role in enabling a reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy future for our community. Through our subsidiary Energy Marlborough (EML) we design, build and maintain renewable generation assets, primary solar PV. We have developed three grid-scale scale solar farms, have commenced construction on our fourth and have plans for more.

We are seeking an experienced Generation Development Engineer to identify, assess and deliver new development opportunities that will benefit Marlborough electricity consumers. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of New Zealand’s energy transition, with a strong focus on grid scale solar farms.

About the role

You will be accountable for progressing the technical aspects of development opportunities from early concept through to board-approved, “ready-to-build” projects. You will work closely with internal teams and external partners to shape commercially sound, technically robust opportunities that align with Marlborough Lines’ strategic objectives and Energy Marlborough's project delivery approach.

This role blends strategic thinking, technical insight, design management and commercial acumen, and will suit someone who enjoys taking ownership and seeing opportunities through from idea to delivery.

Key responsibilities:

• Research and identify commercial and technical opportunities within the New Zealand electricity industry
• Assess opportunity viability through concept development and feasibility studies
• Lead the electrical, comms, control and SCADA development of projects with a particular emphasis on medium (1-9MW) solar farms
• Provide technical support to MLL and EML operational teams for fault diagnosis and rectification
• Assist in developingfinancial models and business cases, including CAPEX, revenue and risk profiles
• Build and manage relationships with project partners, contractors, suppliers and regulators
• Assist in the development of proposals for management and Board consideration
• Identify, manage and mitigate project risks across scope, cost, schedule, quality and safety
• Negotiate commercial agreements with third parties
• Support the project management team for delivery

About You

You are a commercially minded engineer who can think strategically, communicate clearly and confidently influence stakeholders at all levels. You enjoy working in a dynamic environment and are motivated by delivering outcomes that create long-term value.

You will bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering preferred
• At least 5 years’ broad electrical engineering experience, ideally within the electricity generation or distribution sector
• Strong understanding of energy technologies, particularly large-scale solar PV (wind experience an advantage)
• Experience in project management and opportunity development
• Experience in power systems, distribution and protection an advantage
• High-level financial and commercial acumen
• Excellent communication, planning and problem-solving skills
• A proactive, resilient and self-motivated approach
• A current New Zealand driver’s licence

Why Marlborough Lines

Our valued team receive the following benefits:

• Health insurance with Southern Cross
• Life AND income protection insurance, along with a lump sum payment in the event of a critical illness
• Aday off for your birthday
• An award-winninghealth and well-being program, including free health checks, mole map and yearly benefit to spend on your health and well-being
• Plus we are an essential service so you have job security

And the chance to be part of community initiatives that MLL is involved in.

The successful candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test and criminal record check.