Grid Engineer (NZ)

Aquila Clean Energy APAC; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquila Group in Auckland is seeking a Grid Engineer to support the development and delivery of wind, solar and storage assets in New Zealand. You will cover grid engineering across the lifecycle, from concept to commissioning, working with EPCs and grid stakeholders.

The role requires NZ work rights, an Electrical Engineering degree, and strong communication skills. You will engage with EDBs, Transpower and regulators, ensuring compliance and robust grid solutions.

Qualifications

• Must have the right to work in New Zealand.
• Electrical Engineering Degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s).
• Ability to read, interpret and create electrical drawings.
• Detailed understanding of NZ regulatory codes (EIPC) and market rules and standards.
• Exposure to the NZ electricity market and processes
• Knowledge of Secondary systems, including SCADA in substations an advantage.
• Good communication skills (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Diverse career opportunities to grow, back yourself and achieve in New Zealand, but as part of an ANZ/APAC business
• Competitive remuneration and benefits.
• A culture that values diversity and innovation, evolving with market changes.
• We are committed to workplace diversity and social inclusion and support the advancement of women in engineering & construction, first nations advancement and participation and encourage people of all cultural backgrounds to apply

Responsibilities

• Act as our key technical expert, with regard to all grid connection aspects from the feasibility stage through to operations.
• Support and manage grid engineering discussions and scopes of work with various grid consultants and advisors. Evaluate deliverables and technical documentation provided by relevant third parties, including power system consultants and suppliers.
• Support grid connection applications, including liaising and engagement with EDBs, Transpower and other regulatory bodies as required.
• Understand risks or impacts to our projects from external grid developments, including constraints or curtailment, and ensure these are captured into our project planning.
• Review grid connection designs ensuring they meet our technical and project objectives.
• Provide technical input to the business where grid design, studies, and outputs impact project performance and assumptions.
• Support our Construction team in the coordination of grid connection works with EDBs, Transpower and contractors through to commissioning and operations stages.
• Support and manage grid communications and protection systems development and upgrades (such as ICCP, SCADA, Protection systems).
• Understand the evolving trends in the field of renewable energy systems (incl. applicable codes, standards, and certifications), and the impacts these have on the NZ grid and renewable projects.
• Support the evaluation of new project opportunities and technical due diligence in cooperation with development, engineering and market colleagues.

Skills

Grid engineering

Electrical drawings reading

NZ regulatory knowledge

SCADA systems

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SCADA software

Job description

For our Auckland office, we are looking for a Grid Engineer (NZ) to join our ANZ team. Reporting to the Senior Project Development Manager NZ, this role will be support the successful development and delivery of projects that comprise our portfolio of quality wind, solar and storage assets in New Zealand. The role includes supporting all grid engineering aspects across the lifecycle of our projects – including concept design, grid connection application, detailed studies and engineering, construction and compliance testing during commissioning. In addition to strong grid engineering and technical experience, this role needs good interpersonal skills for engaging with grid related stakeholders and EPCs.

Responsibilities:

• Act as our key technical expert, with regard to all grid connection aspects from the feasibility stage through to operations.
• Support and manage grid engineering discussions and scopes of work with various grid consultants and advisors. Evaluate deliverables and technical documentation provided by relevant third parties, including power system consultants and suppliers.
• Support grid connection applications, including liaising and engagement with EDBs, Transpower and other regulatory bodies as required.
• Understand risks or impacts to our projects from external grid developments, including constraints or curtailment, and ensure these are captured into our project planning.
• Review grid connection designs ensuring they meet our technical and project objectives.
• Provide technical input to the business where grid design, studies, and outputs impact project performance and assumptions.
• Support our Construction team in the coordination of grid connection works with EDBs, Transpower and contractors through to commissioning and operations stages.
• Support and manage grid communications and protection systems development and upgrades (such as ICCP, SCADA, Protection systems).
• Understand the evolving trends in the field of renewable energy systems (incl. applicable codes, standards, and certifications), and the impacts these have on the NZ grid and renewable projects.
• Support the evaluation of new project opportunities and technical due diligence in cooperation with development, engineering and market colleagues.

Requirements:

• Must have the right to work in New Zealand.
• Electrical Engineering Degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s).
• Ability to read, interpret and create electrical drawings.
• Detailed understanding of NZ regulatory codes (EIPC) and market rules and standards.
• Exposure to the NZ electricity market and processes
• Knowledge of Secondary systems, including SCADA in substations an advantage.
• Good communication skills (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Diverse career opportunities to grow, back yourself and achieve in New Zealand, but as part of an ANZ/APAC business
• Competitive remuneration and benefits.
• A culture that values diversity and innovation, evolving with market changes.
• We are committed to workplace diversity and social inclusion and support the advancement of women in engineering & construction, first nations advancement and participation and encourage people of all cultural backgrounds to apply