Mechanical Engineer - Hydro

Contact Energy; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working where possible

Strong health and wellbeing support

KiwiSaver contributions

Wellbeing payments for home setup

Discounts and free financial advice

Community leave

Job summary

Contact Energy is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support our South Island hydro generation fleet and related assets in New Zealand. You will work closely with site teams to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operations, while tackling technical challenges and driving asset performance improvements.

Ideal candidates bring an engineering degree, experience in power generation or heavy industry, and a track record of managing projects within regulated environments.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering is required.
• Experience in power generation or heavy industrial environments is essential.
• Ability to work with complex mechanical plant and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Provide trusted technical advice to maintenance and capital projects.
• Support major maintenance and engineering work programs.
• Identify opportunities to improve reliability, safety and performance of hydro assets.

Skills

Engineering degree

Power generation experience

Project management

Complex mechanical equipment

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Job description

Whakatakoto te tūāpapa | Laying the foundation

At Contact, we're helping power a better future for Aotearoa. From our geothermal operations in the Central North Island to our hydro generation assets in the South Island, we're investing in the people, technology and innovation needed to deliver reliable, renewable energy for generations to come. Our hydro stations spread across the South Island are among New Zealand's most significant renewable energy assets, playing a vital role in powering homes, businesses and communities across the country.

Behind every megawatt is a team of passionate, talented people who care deeply about what they do. At Contact, you'll join a culture that values curiosity, collaboration and continuous improvement, where your ideas are welcomed and your contribution genuinely matters. Whether you're helping optimise existing assets or shaping what's next, you'll be part of a team committed to delivering meaningful outcomes for our customers, communities and the environment.

Te āhua o te tūranga | The nature of the role

Imagine applying your engineering expertise across some of New Zealand's most iconic renewable energy assets. As a Mechanical Engineer at Contact, you'll play a critical role in supporting our South Island hydro generation fleet, helping ensure these assets continue to operate safely, reliably and efficiently for the communities that depend on them. Working closely with our site teams you'll tackle complex technical challenges, improve asset performance and contribute to the long term success of infrastructure that helps power Aotearoa.

This is a role where you'll have genuine influence. You'll be part of a collaborative engineering team, providing trusted technical advice, supporting major maintenance and capital projects, and identifying opportunities to improve the reliability, safety and performance of our hydro assets.

From solving challenging mechanical issues to shaping future investment decisions, you'll help protect and enhance some of New Zealand's most important renewable energy infrastructure while continuing to grow your own technical capability and industry expertise.

Ko wai koe | About you

You're an experienced Mechanical Engineer who enjoys balancing technical excellence with practical problem solving. You know how to build strong relationships, communicate complex ideas in a way others can understand, and work collaboratively to achieve the best outcome. You bring sound engineering judgement, a continuous improvement mindset and a genuine passion for delivering safe, reliable and efficient outcomes. Most importantly, you're someone who gets energy from working with others, sharing knowledge and finding better ways forward.

To help you succeed, there are a few things we'd love to see. Our must-haves include an engineering degree or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, experience in power generation or a comparable heavy industrial environment, and strong capability working with complex mechanical plant and equipment. Experience managing projects, supporting major engineering work programmes and operating within regulated industrial environments will also set you up well. If you're working towards professional registration, that's great. If you've already achieved it, even better.

There are also a few nice-to-haves that could make your application stand out, such as experience with functional safety, contract management, financial evaluation of engineering investments, or developing specialist technical expertise within a large asset-intensive business. However, if you don't tick every box, don't let that stop you. If you're excited by the opportunity, motivated to learn, and believe your skills could add value to our whānau, we'd love to hear from you.

At Contact, we know great people come with different experiences, and we're committed to helping the right person grow and thrive.

Preference is for Christchurch or Clutha district based candidates.

At Contact, it really is good to be home. We support our people with wellbeing benefits that make a genuine difference, including flexible working where possible, strong health and wellbeing support, and access to confidential professional therapy for you and your whānau. You’ll also have access to free flu vaccinations, skin checks, onsite health support and learning through Contact University.

• flexible working where possible
• strong health and wellbeing support
• access to confidential professional therapy for you and your whānau
• free flu vaccinations
• skin checks
• onsite health support
• learning through Contact University

On top of a competitive salary, we offer KiwiSaver contributions, wellbeing payments to support your home setup, help with energy and broadband costs if you’re a Contact customer, plus access to discounts and free financial advice. We’re also proud to give back through community leave and partnerships across Aotearoa, creating a workplace where people feel supported, connected and able to do their best work!

• competitive salary
• KiwiSaver contributions
• wellbeing payments to support your home setup
• help with energy and broadband costs if you’re a Contact customer
• access to discounts and free financial advice
• community leave
• partnerships across Aotearoa

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.

• flexible working arrangements
• employee network groups
• market-leading parental leave policy

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.

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.

• flexible working arrangements
• employee network groups
• 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.