Junior Electrical Engineer

Northpower; Whangarei; Hybrid; NZD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

People-first culture

Market pay

Life insurance

Health programs

Retail discounts

Career development

Flexible leave

KiwiSaver top-ups

Job summary

Northpower in New Zealand is seeking a Junior Electrical Engineer to join our Network team, supporting substation maintenance, protection and control engineers, and the performance of critical assets across Northland. The role offers a blend of office and field work, site inspections, data analysis, and digital initiatives.

You’ll grow through hands-on projects, teamwork, and exposure to protection systems, fault investigations, and asset management.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Electrical Engineering is required.
• 2+ years of industry experience preferred.
• Experience in both office and field environments is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and delivery of substation maintenance programmes.
• Assist with investigating and resolving substation equipment defects and protection system faults.
• Maintain protection system models, studies, and engineering records.
• Contribute to engineering improvements, digital initiatives, and the adoption of new technologies.
• Support maintenance management systems and engineering processes.
• Carry out site inspections, asset investigations, and field assessments.
• Work with engineering, delivery, and asset management teams to meet network objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, reliability, and operational performance.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Stakeholder management

Computer literacy

Teamwork

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Job description

We're looking for a Junior Electrical Engineer to join our Network team. In this role, you'll work closely with our Substation Maintenance and Protection & Control Engineers, supporting the performance, reliability, and maintenance of critical electricity network assets. You'll be involved in a mix of office and field-based activities, from technical investigations and site inspections to digital engineering systems and asset data analysis.

About The Role

As a Junior Electrical Engineer, you'll provide technical support across our substation engineering function, helping to maintain and improve the performance of our network assets. You'll gain exposure to a wide range of engineering activities while contributing to projects that power communities across Northland and beyond.

What You'll Be Doing

• Support the development and delivery of substation maintenance programmes.
• Assist with investigating and resolving substation equipment defects and protection system faults.
• Maintain protection system models, studies, and engineering records.
• Contribute to engineering improvements, digital initiatives, and the adoption of new technologies.
• Support maintenance management systems and engineering processes.
• Carry out site inspections, asset investigations, and field assessments.
• Work closely with engineering, delivery, and asset management teams to achieve network objectives.
• Help identify opportunities to improve safety, reliability, and operational performance.

About You

You’ll be an enthusiastic engineer looking to further develop your career within New Zealand's electricity industry.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Electrical Engineering.
• 2 or more years' industry experience.
• Experience working across both office and field environments.
• Exposure to site inspections, fault investigations, or maintenance activities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder relationship skills.
• High levels of computer literacy and confidence using engineering and business systems.
• A proactive approach to learning, continuous improvement, and teamwork.
• Experience within electricity distribution, substations, asset management, protection systems, or network operations would be advantageous.

What’s in it for you?

Make real impact across Aotearoa in a stable and future‑focused sector. At Northpower, you’ll do work that matters and powers our communities while growing your career in an organisation that genuinely cares for its people.

You’ll benefit from:

• A people‑first culture built on safety, inclusion, and deep care, where contributions are recognised and wellbeing is supported through EAP and our award‑winning peer support network
• Fair and market competitive pay with the flexibility to tailor through additional leave and increased employer KiwiSaver contributions
• Life insurance and preventative health initiatives
• Discounted group medical cover and health and fitness programmes
• Discounted fuel rates plus a range of retail discounts
• Ongoing learning and development, with clear career pathways to help you grow, specialise, or progress
• A welcoming, family‑friendly workplace where people are encouraged to be themselves and feel valued

About Northpower – Powering Communities Across Aotearoa

Northpower is an organisation with deep regional roots and national reach. We own and operate the electricity and fibre networks across Whangārei and Kaipara, delivering essential infrastructure to more than 60,000 connected customers, while also operating one of New Zealand’s largest multi‑utility contracting businesses.

From keeping the lights on today to building the infrastructure that will power tomorrow, our work spans electricity, fibre, renewables, transmission, and energy services.

With more than 1,400 people across 16 locations, we act as one to support our communities, customers, clients, and critical national infrastructure across Aotearoa.

What connects all of this work is real impact you can see in your community. The work you do at Northpower matters – it is seen, felt, and relied on every day.

If you’re looking for work that makes a real difference – work you can be proud of – Northpower offers the opportunity to grow your career while supporting the communities that rely on us every day.

We embrace diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to an inclusive, respectful workplace where everyone feels they belong.

As part of our commitment to safety and wellbeing, pre‑employment checks will include a criminal history check, drug and alcohol testing, and a medical assessment.

Only applicants with the right to work in New Zealand will be considered for this opportunity.