Project Engineer - Solar and Renewable Energy Projects

Hiringa Energy; New Plymouth; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Jora New Zealand is seeking a Project Engineer to support the development and delivery of our solar farm portfolio and other renewable energy projects across New Zealand and Australia.

You will work across civil, mechanical, electrical and construction interfaces, with regular travel to project sites around New Zealand. This hands-on role covers development through commissioning and handover, with ownership in a small, fast-moving team.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years relevant experience supporting the delivery of infrastructure, energy, industrial or construction projects.
• Experience in solar or other renewable energy projects would be an advantage, but strong transferable experience is also welcome.
• A qualification or practical background in engineering, construction or a related technical field. Electrical experience would be valuable, but it is not essential; civil, mechanical and other relevant backgrounds will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Support the management of suppliers, contractors, consultants and delivery partners.
• Coordinate engineering inputs, programme activities, budgets, risks, changes and technical deliverables.
• Work with the project team and contractors to achieve health, safety, environment and quality outcomes.
• Build relationships with project partners, contractors, consultants, regulators, landowners, iwi and local communities.
• Prepare project updates, technical documentation, scopes of work, specifications and reports for stakeholders.
• Coordinate site activities across civil works, equipment installation, mechanical interfaces, electrical works, grid connection, logistics and procurement.
• Help develop engineering, project delivery and document control systems for the portfolio.
• Provide technical input into procurement, tender evaluations, contract negotiations and commercial decisions.
• Support compliance with consent conditions, technical standards, regulatory requirements and approved project documentation.
• Provide input for project governance, partner and contractor meetings, tracking actions through to completion.
• Support cost forecasting, progress claims and project reporting with project and finance teams.

Skills

Project planning

Technical coordination

Cost awareness

Risk management

Change control

Clear technical communication

Practical problem-solving

Engineering judgment

Education

Engineering or construction background

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.

Project Engineer - Solar and Renewable Energy Projects

Permanent and Fixed-Term Opportunities | New Zealand

Support the delivery of high-impact renewable energy projects

Play a key role in our growing solar farm portfolio

Work across civil, mechanical, electrical and construction interfaces

Travel regularly to project sites around New Zealand

Join a small, collaborative team where your work has visible impact

We’re growing our project delivery capability and are looking for a Project Engineer to support the development and delivery of our solar farm portfolio, with opportunities to contribute across our wider renewable energy projects.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys variety, can work across technical disciplines and is comfortable taking ownership in a small, fast-moving project team.

As Project Engineer, you’ll support projects from development and design coordination through procurement, construction, commissioning and handover. Your primary focus will be our developing solar farm portfolio, including civil works, equipment installation, mechanical interfaces, electrical and grid connections, while also contributing to other NZ and AU renewable energy projects where needed.

The role will involve regular travel to project sites around New Zealand, so you’ll need to be comfortable spending time away from your usual place of work when project delivery requires it.

Your work will vary across the project lifecycle and may include:

• Supporting the management of suppliers, contractors, consultants and delivery partners
• Coordinating engineering inputs, programme activities, budgets, risks, changes and technical deliverables
• Working with the project team and contractors to achieve strong health, safety, environment and quality outcomes
• Building effective working relationships with project partners, contractors, consultants, regulators, landowners, iwi and local communities
• Preparing clear project updates, technical documentation, scopes of work, specifications and reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Coordinating site activities across civil works, equipment installation, mechanical interfaces, electrical works, grid connection, logistics and procurement
• Helping develop practical engineering, project delivery and document control systems that can be used across the portfolio
• Providing technical input into procurement, tender evaluations, contract negotiations and commercial decisions
• Supporting compliance with consent conditions, technical standards, regulatory requirements and approved project documentation
• Providing technical input for project governance, partner and contractor meetings, including tracking actions through to completion
• Supporting cost forecasting, progress claims and project reporting in collaboration with the project and finance teams

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone with strong engineering fundamentals, sound judgement and a practical, collaborative approach. You’ll be comfortable moving between design coordination, site delivery and problem-solving, and working with a range of internal and external specialists.

You’ll ideally bring experience across some of the following areas; we don’t expect one person to have done everything:

• Supporting the design and delivery of solar, electrical, civil, mechanical, grid connection or other infrastructure projects
• Construction planning, site coordination and working safely with contractors and field teams
• Engineering design coordination, technical reviews, constructability assessments, inspections, testing, commissioning and handover
• Site investigations, development, consenting and working within project consent conditions
• Procurement, tendering, contract administration, supplier coordination and cost control
• Working in a small project team where priorities shift and people contribute beyond a narrow job description

Core competencies we value:

• Project planning, technical coordination, cost awareness, risk management and change control
• Clear technical communication, documentation and the ability to work effectively with different disciplines
• Practical problem-solving and sound engineering judgement in complex, ambiguous and fast-moving environments
• An understanding of engineering and project delivery systems, design assurance, governance and document control

Experience & Background

• Minimum of 3 years relevant experience supporting the delivery of infrastructure, energy, industrial or construction projects. Experience in solar or other renewable energy projects would be an advantage, but strong transferable experience is also welcome.
• A qualification or practical background in engineering, construction or a related technical field. Electrical experience would be valuable, but it is not essential; civil, mechanical and other relevant backgrounds will also be considered.
• Experience in New Zealand renewable energy, infrastructure or construction environments would be advantageous, along with the ability to travel regularly to project sites around New Zealand.

Why Join Us?

We’re a small, agile and values-driven team working on projects that make a real difference. You’ll have the chance to work closely with experienced people across development, engineering, commercial and construction, while seeing your work move from concept through to operation.

• Real ownership and the chance to see the direct impact of your work on project outcomes
• Hands-on experience across solar development and delivery, with exposure to other renewable energy technologies and project challenges
• A supportive, collaborative culture with high trust and accountability
• The opportunity to grow with a business that’s building momentum
• Focus on your professional development and career growth