Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Technician

Meridian Energy; Timaru; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Wellbeing insurance

Enhanced leave

KiwiSaver contributions

Employee share scheme

Learning & development opportunities

Employee discounts on power

Job summary

Meridian Energy is seeking a Twizel-based PLC Technician to fault-diagnose, repair and upgrade Rockwell PLC systems across our hydro, wind, BESS and solar assets. The role involves practical field work, commissioning support and close collaboration with maintenance teams, often on site across New Zealand.

You will hold current NZ electrical registration and have hands-on experience with Rockwell PLC equipment, PLC5 and ControlLogix.

Qualifications

• NZ electrical registration is required.
• Experience with Rockwell PLC equipment.
• Willingness to travel across New Zealand.
• Hands-on fault diagnosis and repair of automation installations.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair PLC faults on site or remotely.
• Support maintenance teams with outages, modifications and testing.
• Update and maintain documentation for PLC modifications and standards.
• Ensure all new and modified hardware/software align with Meridian Energy standards.
• Provide PLC support for projects across hydro and wind assets.

Skills

Rockwell Automation PLC

Electrical registration NZ

Fault diagnosis

On-site fault repair

Documentation

Tools

Rockwell PLC hardware

OT networks

ControlLogix

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Technician

From the tail of the fish to the tail of the waka, shines the sun

Thiswhakataukīspeaks to our journey across Aotearoa, one waka, one purpose, powered by the natural forces that sustain us. Meridian is Aotearoa's largest renewable electricity producer, generating energy from the winds ofTāwhirimātea, the waters of Tangaroa, and the warmth of Tama-nui-te-rā.

Together, our two brands,MeridianandPowershopretail electricity to more than 400,000 homes, businesses and farms across New Zealand.Nowthat's pretty impressivecombo!

Mōtetūranga|About the role

Meridian is looking for a Twizel-based PLC Technician to support our hydro, wind, BESS and solar generation assets across NewZealand. This is a hands-on role involving fault diagnosis and repair, minor modifications and hardware upgrades, and commissioning support, often working directly on site across the generation fleet.

We're looking for someone with current NZ electrical registration and experience with Rockwell Automation PLC equipment. You'll enjoy practical problem-solving in the field, working across a wide range of assets and projects, and supporting the delivery of Meridian's growing automation programme.

Āumahi| What you'll be doing

• Diagnosing and repairing PLC faults and issues on site or remotely.
• Supporting maintenance teams withsite activities (outages, modifications, testing etc)
• Updating and maintaining documentation for PLC modifications andstandards.
• Ensuring allnew andmodifiedphysical installation and software is alignedwith Meridian Energy standards.
• ProvidingPLC support for minor and major projects across hydro and windassets.
• Knowledge of Rockwell Automation PLC equipment and systems, especially PLC5 and ControlLogix.
• Current New Zealand electrical registration.
• Experience in fault finding (including root cause investigation) and modification of physical automation installations and OT networks.
• Experience in modification and testing of Rockwell PLC logic and hardware.
• Ability to work with cross-discipline teams and communicate technical problems to non-technical individuals.
• Knowledge of hydro power generating equipment is desirable but not required.
• You'll be excited to live in and travel around Twizel!

We value work/life balance, so our flexible work options (where possible) make things easier for you and your whānau. We also offer:

• An attractive and competitive salary package that’s reviewed annually, performance-incentive plus discounts from several partnerships
• Southern Cross Healthcare - Wellbeing one insurance, funded scheme for eligible employees to give you that extra peace of mind
• Enhanced leave provisions: three company paid days (over the holiday period), enhanced parental leave and options to buy up to 12 days additional leave
• Life, trauma and income protection insurance (which we hope you won't need!)
• Enhanced KiwiSaver contributions
• Access to the Meridian employee share scheme
• Excellent learning and development opportunities, we want you to be the best version of yourself and will help you get there!
• Award winning wellbeing programme that provides support whenever and wherever you need it
• Employee discounts off your power with Meridian, every bit counts
• Aone-off $400 payment to support your work from home set-up (if needed)

We embrace diversity and inclusion and ensure that everyone feels like they belong, are welcomed, feel valued, and feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work. We want all our people to be the best that they can be, so we make sure that there’s room for everyone to be exactly who they are, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, including individuals with disabilities, diverse health needs, and those who identify as neurodiverse, because we believe our differences make us stronger. We believe that fun is good for you, and we make sure that our office vibe reflects that. We support each other and celebrate our successes.

Sustainability sits firmly in our DNA - both socially and environmentally - and we're doing what we can to help Aotearoa reduce their carbon emissions and we're helping support others in our generation communities to do the same.

Advertising closesThursday 10th September.