Senior Design Engineer

Northpower; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

People-first culture with safety focus

Northpower vehicle for business use

Life insurance

Discounted medical cover

Discounted fuel rates

Ongoing learning and development

Family-friendly workplace

Job summary

Northpower is seeking an experienced Senior Design Engineer to join our Contracting team in New Zealand. You will lead the design, estimation, and delivery of electricity distribution projects, including overhead and underground networks, new connections, and substations.

You will mentor engineers and estimators, drive continuous improvement, ensure safety and quality, and collaborate with project managers, field teams, customers, and suppliers to deliver practical, cost-effective solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Level 7 or equivalent)
• Full, endorsed New Zealand Driver Licence
• At least 5 years' experience in the 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
• Knowledge of relevant 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
• Collaborative leadership style with a passion for coaching and supporting others
• Continuous improvement mindset and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer outcomes
• Team player who leads by example and prioritises safety

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and pricing of a wide range of works including overhead and underground networks
• Design, estimation, and delivery of distribution projects across customer and network initiatives
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Estimators, field teams, customers, developers, contractors, consultants and suppliers
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and coaching to Design Engineers and Estimators
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, support project reviews, and drive quality and safety outcomes
• Deliver diverse projects in New Zealand and contribute to Northpower's growth

Skills

Electrical design

HV/LV design

Estimation & Tendering

Stakeholder management

Leadership coaching

Communication

Problem solving

Team leadership

Continuous improvement

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (Level 7)

Job description

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Design Engineer to join our Contracting team. Based in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, you\'ll play a key role in the design, estimation, and delivery of electricity distribution projects that help power communities across New Zealand.

This is a senior technical role where you\'ll lead the design and pricing of a wide range of customer and network-initiated works, including overhead and underground networks, new connections, subdivisions, network reinforcements, maintenance works, capital projects, and substation infrastructure. You\'ll work closely with Project Managers, Estimators, field teams, customers, developers, contractors, consultants, and suppliers to develop practical, cost-effective solutions that meet customer requirements and industry standards.

Beyond technical delivery, you\'ll act as a subject matter expert for the team, providing guidance, mentoring, and coaching to Design Engineers and Estimators. You\'ll identify opportunities for continuous improvement, support project reviews, contribute to performance outcomes, and help drive quality, safety, and customer satisfaction across the business.

This is an opportunity to work on diverse and interesting projects while making a real impact on New Zealand\'s electricity infrastructure.

About You

You\'ll be a highly experienced electrical design professional with a strong understanding of distribution networks and a passion for delivering high-quality engineering solutions.

To be successful, you\'ll ideally bring:

• A Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Level 7 or equivalent)


• A full, endorsed New Zealand Driver Licence


• At least 5 years\' experience in the design and estimation of electrical distribution networks, either with a network owner or electrical contracting/service provider


• Strong expertise in HV and LV network design, electricity infrastructure, and substation projects


• Experience preparing accurate estimates, tenders, and pricing proposals


• Sound knowledge of relevant industry standards, health and safety requirements, and environmental legislation


• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build positive working relationships with customers, contractors, developers, consultants, and internal teams


• 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.

What’s in it for you?

Make real impact across Aotearoa in a stable and future‑focused sector. At Northpower, you’ll do work that matters and powers our communities while growing your career in an organisation that genuinely cares for its people.

• 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 and national reach. We own and operate the electricity and fibre networks across Whangārei and Kaipara, delivering essential infrastructure to more than 60,000 connected customers, while also operating one of New Zealand’s largest multi‑utility contracting businesses.

From keeping the lights on today to building the infrastructure that will power tomorrow, our work spans electricity, fibre, renewables, transmission, and energy services. With more than 1,400 people across 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 your community. The work you do at Northpower matters – it is seen, felt, and relied on every day.