Senior Design Engineer

Northpower Limited; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Northpower vehicle (private use)

EAP & peer support network

Life insurance

Health & fitness programmes

Medical cover discounts

Learning & development

Flexible leave & KiwiSaver"

Inclusive, family‑oriented workplace

Job summary

Northpower is seeking an experienced Senior Design Engineer to join the Contracting team in New Zealand. You will lead the design and pricing of overhead and underground networks, oversee substations, and work with project managers and field teams to deliver high‑quality electrical distribution projects that power communities.

The role requires 5+ years in design and estimation, strong HV/LV design expertise, and a collaborative leadership style.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Level 7 or equivalent).
• A full, endorsed New Zealand Driver Licence.
• At least 5 years' experience in design and estimation of electrical distribution networks.
• Strong expertise in HV and LV network design, electricity infrastructure, and substation projects.
• Experience preparing accurate estimates, tenders, and pricing proposals.
• Sound knowledge of industry standards, health and safety requirements, and environmental legislation.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build positive working relationships.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• A collaborative leadership style with a passion for coaching and supporting others.
• A continuous improvement mindset and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer outcomes.
• Most importantly, you'll be a team player who leads by example, values safety above all else, and takes pride in delivering quality work that supports both customer success and Northpower's future growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and pricing of overhead and underground networks.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Estimators, field teams, customers, developers, contractors, consultants, and suppliers to develop practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and coaching to Design Engineers and Estimators.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and support project reviews.
• Contribute to performance outcomes and drive quality, safety, and customer satisfaction across the business.

Skills

Electrical design

HV & LV network design

Substations

Tendering & pricing

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem solving

Leadership coaching

Continuous improvement

Team player

Education

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Design Engineer tojoin our Contracting team. Based in a fast-paced and collaborative environment,you'll play a key role in the design, estimation, and delivery of electricitydistribution projects that help power communities across New Zealand.
This is a senior technical role where you'll lead the designand pricing of a wide range of customer and network-initiated works, includingoverhead and underground networks, new connections, subdivisions, networkreinforcements, maintenance works, capital projects, and substationinfrastructure. You'll work closely with Project Managers, Estimators, fieldteams, customers, developers, contractors, consultants, and suppliers todevelop practical, cost-effective solutions that meet customer requirements andindustry standards.
Beyond technical delivery, you'll act as a subject matterexpert for the team, providing guidance, mentoring, and coaching to DesignEngineers and Estimators. You'll identify opportunities for continuousimprovement, support project reviews, contribute to performance outcomes, andhelp drive quality, safety, and customer satisfaction across the business.
This is an opportunity to work on diverse and interestingprojects while making a real impact on New Zealand's electricityinfrastructure.

About You

You'll be a highly experienced electrical designprofessional with a strong understanding of distribution networks and a passionfor delivering high-quality engineering solutions.

To be successful, you'll ideally bring:

• ABachelor of Electrical Engineering (Level 7 or equivalent)
• Afull, endorsed New Zealand Driver Licence
• Atleast 5 years' experience in the design and estimation of electricaldistribution networks, either with a network owner or electricalcontracting/service provider
• Strongexpertise in HV and LV network design, electricity infrastructure, andsubstation projects
• Experiencepreparing accurate estimates, tenders, and pricing proposals
• Soundknowledge of relevant industry standards, health and safety requirements,and environmental legislation
• Strongstakeholder management skills and the ability to build positive workingrelationships with customers, contractors, developers, consultants, andinternal teams
• Excellentcommunication and problem-solving skills
• Acollaborative leadership style with a passion for coaching and supportingothers
• Acontinuous improvement mindset and a commitment to delivering exceptionalcustomer outcomes
• Most importantly, you'll be a team player who leads byexample, values safety above all else, and takes pride in delivering qualitywork that supports both customer success and Northpower's future growth.

What’s in it for you?

Make real impact across Aotearoa in a stable and future‑focusedsector. At Northpower, you’ll do work that matters and powers our communitieswhile growing your career in an organisation that genuinely cares for itspeople.

You’ll benefit from:

• A people‑first culture built on safety, inclusion, and deep care, where contributions are recognised and wellbeing is supported through EAP and our award‑winning peer support network
• Fair and market competitive pay with a full private use Northpower vehicle and the flexibility to tailor through additional leave and increased employer KiwiSaver contributions
• Life insurance and preventative health initiatives
• Discounted group medical cover and health and fitness programmes
• Discounted fuel rates plus a range of retail discounts
• Ongoing learning and development, with clear career pathways to help you grow, specialise, or progress
• A welcoming, family‑friendly workplace where people are encouraged to be themselves and feel valued

About Northpower – Powering communities across Aotearoa

Northpower is an organisation with deep regional roots andnational reach. We own and operate the electricity and fibre networks acrossWhangārei and Kaipara, delivering essential infrastructure to more than 60,000connected customers, while also operating one of New Zealand’s largest multi‑utilitycontracting businesses.
From keeping the lights on today to building theinfrastructure that will power tomorrow, our work spans electricity, fibre,renewables, transmission, and energy services. With more than 1,400 peopleacross 16 locations, we act as one to support our communities, customers,clients, and critical national infrastructure across Aotearoa.
What connects all of this work is real impact you can see in yourcommunity.The work you do at Northpower matters – it is seen, felt, and relied on everyday.

If you’re looking for meaningful work that makes a realdifference – and which you can be proud of, we offer the opportunity to growyour career while supporting the communities that rely on us every day. Weembrace diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Weare committed to an inclusive, respectful workplace where everyone feels theybelong.
As part of our commitment to safety and wellbeing, pre‑employmentchecks will include a criminal history check, drug and alcohol testing, and a medical assessment.
Only applicants with the right to work in NewZealand will be considered for this opportunity.