Network Operations Engineer

Northpower; Whangarei; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Flexible leave

KiwiSaver options

Life insurance

Wellbeing support

Discounts on fuel and retail

Learning and career progression

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Northpower is seeking a Network Operations Engineer to join its Network team in Whangārei. You will provide operational engineering expertise to ensure a safe, reliable electricity network and support real-time operations.

The role involves power flow studies, coordinating outages, improving network performance, and developing procedures for efficient network operation. A background in electricity distribution and power systems is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience in electricity distribution, power systems, or network operations.
• Knowledge of electrical distribution networks and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in power system operations planning and network analysis.
• Experience using power system modelling software such as PSS/SINCAL or similar tools.
• Strong analytical and technical problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work under pressure.
• Collaborative approach and commitment to health, safety, quality and environmental standards.

Responsibilities

• Conduct power flow studies and model network constraints to support outages.
• Provide engineering support for network operations, outage planning and emergency response.
• Monitor network performance and identify opportunities to improve reliability and capacity.
• Support fault investigation, restoration and contingency planning for major events.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures, network models and engineering documentation.
• Analyse power quality, voltage and operational performance issues and propose solutions.
• Support the delivery of network investment and improvement programmes.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure safe, efficient, customer-focused outcomes.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PSS/SINCAL

Job description

Applications close 16/11/2026 Reference REQ2146 Employment type Permanent Location 28 Mount Pleasant Road, Whangārei 0110 NZL

About the Role

Do you enjoy solving complex engineering challenges,improving network performance, and playing a critical role in keepingelectricity flowing to homes, businesses, and communities?

We're looking for a Network Operations Engineer to joinNorthpower's Network team. In this role, you'll provide operational engineeringexpertise that supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of ourelectricity network.
You'll be responsible for analysing and modelling networkconstraints, conducting power system studies, planning and coordinating networkoutages, and developing operational procedures that support real-time networkoperations. You'll work closely with operational teams, service providers,customers, and industry stakeholders to improve network performance, managerisk, and ensure we continue delivering excellent outcomes for our customers.
This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in powersystem analysis, emergency response planning, outage management, emerging gridtechnologies, and continuous improvement initiatives that help shape the futureof our network.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conductingpower flow studies and modelling network constraints to support plannedand unplanned outages
• Providingengineering support for network operations, outage planning, and emergencyresponse
• Monitoringnetwork performance and identifying opportunities to improve reliability,resilience, and capacity utilisation
• Supportingfault investigation, restoration activities, and contingency planning formajor network events
• Developingand maintaining operational procedures, network models, and engineeringdocumentation
• Analysingpower quality, voltage, and operational performance issues andrecommending practical solutions
• Supportingthe delivery of network investment and improvement programmes
• Workingwith internal and external stakeholders to ensure safe, efficient, andcustomer-focused outcomes

About You

You're a technically capable engineer who enjoysproblem-solving, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is passionateabout delivering reliable electricity networks.

You’ll bring:

• ABachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering
• Experiencewithin electricity distribution, power systems, or network operationsenvironments
• Knowledgeof electrical distribution networks, industry standards, and regulatoryrequirements
• Experiencein power system operations planning and network analysis
• Experienceusing power system modelling software such as PSS®SINCAL or similar tools
• Stronganalytical and technical problem-solving skills
• Excellentwritten and verbal communication skills
• Theability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure
• Acollaborative approach and willingness to support team success
• Astrong commitment to health, safety, quality, and environmental standards
• Aproactive, can-do attitude and genuine desire to learn and continuouslyimprove

What's in it for you?

• Competitivepay, plus flexible leave and boosted KiwiSaver options
• Lifeinsurance, discounted medical cover and wellbeing support
• Fueland retail discounts
• Ongoinglearning, development and career progression opportunities
• Asupportive, inclusive and family-friendly culture where safety comes first
• Theopportunity to work on essential infrastructure projects that help powerNew Zealand's future

About Northpower

Proudly Kiwi-owned, Northpower is one of New Zealand'slargest infrastructure businesses, delivering electricity, fibre, renewables,transmission and energy services across Aotearoa. With over 1,400 peoplenationwide, we're proud to power the communities that rely on us every day.
At Northpower, you'll join a team that plays a vital role indelivering safe, reliable electricity to the communities we serve while workingon challenging and meaningful projects that help shape the future of NewZealand's energy network.

We welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed tocreating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong.
Pre-employment checks include a criminal history check,medical assessment, and drug and alcohol testing.
Applicants must have the legal right to work inNew Zealand.