Principal Electrical Engineer

Tiaki Wai; Lower Hutt; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

WFH up to 2 days

Wellbeing day

Professional development

5 weeks of leave after 2 years

Job summary

Tiaki Wai, a council-owned organisation delivering drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services, is seeking a senior electrical engineering specialist in Petone. You’ll provide technical leadership and assurance to inform investment decisions and support capital projects across the full asset lifecycle.

You will develop engineering standards, improve reliability of critical electrical assets, mentor teams, and champion safe practices.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• CPEng status or working towards accreditation, or equivalent recognition.
• Minimum 15 years' experience in electrical engineering, ideally within water, wastewater, utilities, infrastructure or other complex industrial environments.
• Proven expertise providing technical leadership, design reviews and engineering assurance across capital projects and operational assets.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and specialist electrical engineering advice.
• Develop and maintain electrical engineering standards, specifications, preferred equipment and design practices.
• Support the performance, reliability and lifecycle management of critical water infrastructure.
• Investigate complex electrical issues and failures and drive sustainable asset performance improvements.
• Champion safe engineering practices while mentoring engineering and technical teams.

Skills

Technical leadership

Electrical engineering expertise

Asset management

Reliability engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

CPEng status or equivalent

Job description

• Lead critical electrical infrastructure.

• Improve asset reliability performance.

• Based in Petone

This is a full time position of 40 hours per week

The opportunity

As the organisation's senior electrical engineering specialist, you'll provide technical leadership and assurance to inform key investment decisions, support capital projects, and help ensure critical electrical assets remain safe, compliant, reliable and fit for purpose. You'll work across the full asset lifecycle, from planning and design through to operations, maintenance, renewals and continuous improvement.

You will:

• Provide technical leadership and specialist electrical engineering advice.

• Develop and maintain electrical engineering standards, specifications, preferred equipment and design practices.

• Support the performance, reliability and lifecycle management of critical water infrastructure.

• Investigate complex electrical issues and failures and drive sustainable asset performance improvements.

• Champion safe engineering practices while mentoring engineering and technical teams.

About you

You're a highly experienced electrical engineering professional who combines deep technical expertise with sound judgement, practical problem-solving ability and a collaborative leadership style.

You will have:

• A degree in Electrical Engineering.

• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status, or be working towards accreditation, or hold equivalent professional recognition.

• A minimum of 15 years' experience in electrical engineering, ideally within water, wastewater, utilities, infrastructure or other complex industrial environments.

• Proven expertise providing technical leadership, design reviews and engineering assurance across both capital projects and operational assets.

• Strong knowledge of electrical asset management, reliability engineering, renewals and lifecycle planning.

• Experience investigating complex electrical failures and developing sustainable engineering solutions.

• Knowledge of New Zealand electrical standards, legislation and industry best practice.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into clear and practical advice.

Benefits

At Tiaki Wai, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.

Our benefits include:

• Flexible working arrangements including up to 2 days working from home

• Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually

• Formal and informal professional development opportunities

• 5 weeks annual leave accrual will be available following 2 years of continual service

About us

Tiaki Wai is a council-owned organisation responsible for managing the delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services across Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Wellington.

We manage public-owned extensive water infrastructure and oversee the delivery of safe and reliable services for our communities. We focus on long-term investment, asset management, maintenance, and delivering major infrastructure projects that support public health, environmental protection, and regional growth.

Water is a precious taonga. At Tiaki Wai, we put care into every drop and are guided by our values of Integrity, Care, and Leadership. We work directly with water consumers and in partnership with councils and mana whenua to deliver better water outcomes for current and future generations.

Applications close: Thursday, 22 October

Applicants for safety sensitive roles will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Tiaki Wai. You must also be legally entitled to work long-term in New Zealand or eligible to obtain a working visa.