Senior Geothermal Project Engineer

Contact Energy Ltd; Kinloch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free health insurance

Generous leave

Employee Shares

Home setup & wellbeing allowance

Parental leave policy

Product allowances

Job summary

Contact Energy Ltd in New Zealand is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to deliver major geothermal developments and the civil, structural and mechanical infrastructure that powers our energy future.

You’ll work across the full project lifecycle with consultants, contractors and specialist teams to ensure safe design, high quality delivery and on-time commissioning, while solving complex engineering challenges.

Qualifications

• Relevant engineering qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience delivering complex engineering or infrastructure projects.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Knowledge of construction, design management or project delivery.
• Commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development of construction work packages and project plans.
• Support onsite delivery teams and coordinate contractors.
• Manage technical risks and ensure safe, compliant delivery.
• Collaborate with consultants, contractors and specialist teams to solve engineering challenges.
• Balance safety, quality, budget and programme outcomes across projects.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Project engineering

Stakeholder management

Communication

Safety & quality

Project delivery

Education

Engineering qualification

Job description

Company Description

At Contact, our purpose is simple, to put our energy where it matters. As Aotearoa's largest generator of renewable electricity, we're investing in the future of New Zealand's energy system through an ambitious programme of geothermal, wind, solar and battery generation projects. These projects are helping decarbonise the country while creating enduring value for our customers, communities and future generations.

Whakatakoto te tūāpapa | Laying the foundation

Our geothermal developments sit at the heart of that journey. From new power station developments to major steamfield infrastructure and cross-country pipeline projects, we're delivering complex, large-scale assets that will power homes and businesses for decades to come. Working alongside iwi, contractors, neighbours and local communities, we take pride in building projects that create benefits beyond the project boundary, leaving a positive and lasting legacy for the regions where we operate.

Job Description

Te āhua o te tūranga | The nature of the role

This is an opportunity to be part of some of New Zealand's most significant renewable energy projects while helping shape the infrastructure that supports them. As our Senior Project Engineer, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering major geothermal developments and associated civil, structural and mechanical infrastructure. From steamfield pipelines and plant infrastructure through to power station construction, you'll help ensure projects are designed well, built safely and commissioned successfully.

You’ll work across the full project lifecycle, partnering with consultants, contractors and specialist teams to bring complex engineering projects to life. One day you could be overseeing the development of construction work packages, the next supporting onsite delivery teams, managing technical risks, coordinating contractors or helping solve challenging engineering problems. You’ll be surrounded by talented people who genuinely care about getting things right, value collaboration and understand the impact these projects will have on Aotearoa's energy future. If you enjoy seeing tangible results from your work and thrive in environments where no two days look the same, this is a role where you’ll make a real difference.

Qualifications

Ko wai koe | About you

You’ll likely bring a background in mechanical or project engineering and have experience delivering complex infrastructure, industrial, energy or construction projects. A relevant engineering qualification and proven experience working across design, procurement, construction or commissioning activities are important foundations for success. You’ll also be comfortable working alongside contractors, consultants and multiple stakeholders, helping projects move forward while balancing safety, quality, budget and programme outcomes.

Beyond the technical skills, we’re looking for someone who enjoys working with people and bringing teams together. You’ll be a clear communicator, an effective problem solver and someone who remains calm and focused when projects become challenging. Experience within power generation, heavy industry or geothermal projects would be highly valued, but it isn’t essential. If you have transferable project engineering experience, a collaborative mindset, a willingness to learn and a genuine desire to contribute to New Zealand's renewable energy future, we’d love to hear from you. At Contact, we know great people come from many different backgrounds and experiences, so if you're excited by the opportunity but don't tick every box, tukuna mai tō tono, we’d still encourage you to apply.

Must-haves

• Relevant engineering qualification or equivalent experience
• Experience delivering complex engineering or infrastructure projects
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Knowledge of construction, design management or project delivery
• Commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement

Nice-to-haves

• Geothermal, power generation or renewable energy experience
• Client-side project engineering experience
• Experience with commissioning, QA/QC or project controls
• Contract management and procurement exposure

Additional Information

There are a bunch of perks to being a permanent Contact kaimahi. Along with great leadership, teammates, development, and growth and progression opportunities, free health insurance cover, better-than-your-average leave, access to Contact Shares, a ‘Good to be Home’ annual payment toward your home set up & wellbeing, a trail-blazing parental leave policy, bi-annual payments towards Contact Energy products, and more!

Applications close 5pm Friday the 9th of October

Here at Contact Energy (Te Mata Hiko), we know our strength lies in developing a sense of belonging - one that helps us attract and retain people with a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our customers and communities to help build a better Aotearoa New Zealand.

We have a rich community of talented people that we support to thrive at Contact.

Our inclusive hiring process is designed to embrace the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand, ensuring a wide range of perspectives are included in our decision-making and helping reduce bias along the way.

The wellbeing of our kaimahi is super important to us.

We use employee insights to offer a range of initiatives and resources to support physical, mental, financial and emotional wellbeing – including flexible working arrangements, employee network groups and a market-leading parental leave policy.

At Te Mata Hiko, we want everyone to thrive. We welcome applicants far and wide - of every age, stage, background, and pride. Join us and be part of a team that values your passion and attitude just as much as your experience and skills.

Please note, only candidates with the right to live and work in New Zealand will be considered for this role.

Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet 60% of the criteria, women and those in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they tick every box. We’re not about box ticking, so if you think you have what it takes but don’t meet everything stated above, please still get in touch. We’d love to kōrero.