Planning Engineering Practice Manager - Control Systems

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Transpower is seeking a senior leader to head the Real-Time Systems Planning & Engineering Practices team, guiding six specialists across Hamilton or Wellington. This role focuses on people leadership, strategic planning and cross‑division collaboration to deliver safe, reliable grid operations.

You’ll shape engineering practices, governance and assurance while building capability and coordinating with OT, IT and project teams.

Qualifications

• Proven people leadership and line management in a complex tech environment.
• Experience turning complex requirements into clear technical priorities and workplans.
• Strong analytical problem-solving and ability to explain technical matters to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop technical specialists with coaching and succession planning.
• Manage budgets, work programmes and performance reporting across RTS Planning & Engineering Practices.
• Strengthen governance, policies, standards and assurance activities for engineering practice.
• Oversee engineering environments and change/release management in coordination with OT, IT and project teams.

Skills

People leadership

Engineering leadership

Resource management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Engineering degree (Electrical or Systems)

Tools

SCADA

Job description

Lead and develop a small specialist team supporting SCADA and real-time systemsShape engineering practices, planning, assurance and continuous improvementBuild capability and drive a growing work programme to enable the energy futureLead people, planning and engineering practices behind the critical systems used to monitor and operate New Zealand’s electricity grid.Our purpose is to empower the energy future for New Zealand – a future that delivers a net-zero carbon economy and a reliable and secure electricity system. As the owner and operator of the National Grid, Transpower connects electricity generators to major users and the distribution networks that supply homes and businesses across Aotearoa.About the teamOur Real-Time Systems (RTS) Planning & Engineering Practices team supports the control systems, operational technology and engineering capability that enable Transpower to monitor and operate New Zealand’s electricity grid in real time.The team brings together planning and resource management, engineering practices, governance and specialist technical support across National SCADA, associated remote systems and related infrastructure. Its work spans technical standards, engineering environments, service management practices, knowledge and document management, reporting and continuous improvement, supporting operational, maintenance, lifecycle and strategic initiatives.About the opportunity - in your choice of Hamilton or WellingtonReporting to the Head of Real-Time Systems & Energy Market Services, you’ll lead our geographically dispersed RTS Planning & Engineering Practices team of six. As a member of the RTS leadership team, you’ll connect strategic priorities with practical plans, robust practices and the capability needed to deliver.This is first and foremost a people and engineering leadership role in a highly technical environment, rather than a hands-on control systems engineering position. You’ll lead and develop technical specialists, provide direction and priorities, manage resources and capability, and strengthen the practices that underpin safe and reliable delivery.Just as importantly, this is a cross-divisional leadership role. Many of the outcomes you’ll be responsible for depend on working effectively across organisational boundaries. You’ll work closely with peers, operational and technical leaders, project teams and stakeholders throughout Transpower to align priorities and resources, manage dependencies, resolve competing demands and improve end-to-end delivery.You don’t need to be the expert in every technical area. You’ll create the environment in which specialists can succeed, while connecting their work to broader operational, service and business outcomes.The work you’ll be involved in includes:Leading and developing technical specialists through clear expectations, coaching, knowledge sharing, workforce planning and succession planning.Managing business plans, budgets, work programmes and performance reporting, aligning resources and capacity with operational, maintenance and project priorities.Strengthening technical policies, standards, governance and assurance, alongside knowledge and document management, to support consistent engineering practice.Overseeing engineering environments, tools, and change and release management, working with operational technology, IT, engineering and project teams to align practices, governance and IT service management across the Real-Time Systems Group.Building trusted relationships with peers and stakeholders and influencing outcomes beyond your direct area of accountability.Leading change and continuous improvement to strengthen engineering quality, delivery, operational resilience and ways of working.What will you bring?Proven experience leading and developing technical people and an ability to turn complex requirements into clear priorities and practical ways of working.Collaborative and confident engaging with technical, operational and business teams, you’ll influence outcomes without relying on direct authority, balance sound analysis with timely decisions, communicate clearly and help people navigate change. A commitment to health, safety and wellbeing will underpin your leadership.Your CV and cover letter will demonstrate:Proven people leadership and line management, including coaching, performance management and developing high-performing technical teams.Experience leading operational, engineering, planning or technical support functions in a complex technology, operational or infrastructure environment.Experience developing and improving technical policies, standards, processes, governance frameworks and assurance activities.A track record in planning, prioritisation, resource management, scheduling and reporting, alongside leading change and improvement.Strong relationship management and influencing skills, with demonstrated experience working across organisational boundaries to align stakeholders and deliver shared outcomes.A recognised tertiary qualification in engineering (such as electrical or systems), information technology, computer science or another technical field.Strong analytical problem-solving, sound judgement and the ability to explain complex matters to technical specialists, leaders and external stakeholders will also be important.While not essential, we’d value experience in the electricity industry or other critical infrastructure, and knowledge of SCADA, industrial control systems, operational technology, telemetry or real-time systems integration.Experience with technology lifecycle management would be advantageous. Experience with IT service management (ITSM), ITIL or similar structured service management practices would be valuable.Join us at TranspowerAotearoa is powered by the people who work here! Our people care deeply about each other and New Zealand, bringing diverse perspectives, knowledge and experience that we value and share.We work in the office or on-site for a minimum of three days each week to support relationships, learning and delivery, with adaptable daily start and finish times. We prioritise wellbeing through a range of employee health and wellness benefits.Our behaviours – Nimble and Considered, Inclusive and Decisive, Courageous and Caring – guide how we work together and with our customers, communities and the land.Next stepsTo lead people and engineering practices supporting our real-time systems, review the position description on our careers site and apply with your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience.Applications close Monday 16 November 2026. They will be reviewed as they are received, and we may contact you for an initial conversation before the closing date. We would like to appoint before Christmas so you can start a new role based on your personal circumstances in 2027!Existing eligibility to work in New Zealand is required.