Senior Project Engineer

Waste Management; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

Work‑life balance

Sustainability impact

Job summary

WM New Zealand is seeking an experienced Electrical & Automation Senior Project Engineer to join our Engineering and Asset Management team in New Zealand. The role combines electrical engineering expertise with industrial automation and PLC programming to lead capital projects and plant upgrades across nationwide operations.

You’ll work on diverse assets including material recovery facilities, tyre recycling, landfill gas systems, transfer stations and more, overseeing design reviews,

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 6years' experience in industrial/manufacturing/utilities/heavy industry environments.
• Experience designing, troubleshooting and commissioning electrical power, control and automation systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical and automation capital projects from concept through to commissioning and handover.
• Design, specify and manage upgrades to electrical distribution and automation systems.
• Develop, modify and troubleshoot PLC and HMI programs to improve plant performance and reliability.
• Support fault finding and root cause analysis of complex electrical, mechanical and control system failures.
• Manage electrical & mechanical contractors, control system integrators and engineering consultants to deliver projects safely, on time and within budget.
• Support design and commissioning of power generation systems including landfill gas generators and grid-connected infrastructure.
• Develop technical scopes of work, equipment specifications and commissioning plans.
• Review electrical drawings, control philosophies and contractor deliverables.
• Lead commissioning activities and ensure systems are tested and documented before handover.
• Identify opportunities to improve automation, energy efficiency and process control.
• Ensure compliance with NZ electrical regulations, standards, and engineering requirements.

Skills

Electrical engineering

PLC programming

Fault diagnostics

Project leadership

Contract management

AutoCAD Electrical

Industrial automation

SCADA

Equipment commissioning

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Mechatronics/Automation background

Tools

Siemens PLC

Schneider Electric

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Beckhoff

CODESYS

Job description

Let’s take care of work that matters - people, place and purpose. From roads to recycling to reporting, everyone at WM New Zealand (WM) helps take care of our people, protect our whenua and support our communities.

We’re more than waste management – we’re problem solvers, innovators, and hands‑on doers. Every one of us, whether behind the wheel, on the tools, or shaping strategy behind the scenes, is helping build a better Aotearoa.

We all pull together on this waka and if you want work that matters, with people who’ve got your back, you’re in the right place.

Job Description

The role you’ll play.

We are seeking an experienced Electrical & Automation Senior Project Engineer to join our Engineering and Asset Management team.

This role is ideal for a practical engineer who combines strong electrical engineering expertise with industrial automation and PLC programming experience. You will lead and deliver capital projects, plant upgrades, control system improvements, and reliability initiatives across Waste Management's nationwide operations.

You will work on a diverse range of fixed plant assets including material recovery facilities, tyre recycling operations, landfill gas systems, transfer stations, resource recovery plants, and other critical infrastructure. The role requires a hands‑on approach to electrical design review, control system development, PLC programming, fault diagnostics, commissioning, and contractor management.

Key Responsibilities.

• Lead electrical and automation capital projects from concept through to commissioning and handover.
• Design, specify and manage upgrades to electrical distribution, motor control systems, instrumentation and industrial automation systems.
• Develop, modify and troubleshoot PLC and HMI programs to improve plant performance and reliability.
• Support fault finding and root cause analysis of complex electrical, mechanical and control system failures.
• Manage electrical & mechanical contractors, control system integrators and engineering consultants to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and within budget.
• Support the design, installation and commissioning of power generation systems including landfill gas generators, standby generators and grid-connected electrical infrastructure.
• Develop technical scopes of work, equipment specifications, project documentation and commissioning plans.
• Review electrical drawings, control philosophies, functional descriptions and contractor deliverables.
• Lead commissioning activities and ensure all systems are tested, validated and documented prior to handover.
• Identify opportunities to improve automation, energy efficiency, process control and operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with relevant New Zealand electrical regulations, standards, and engineering requirements.

Qualifications

What you'll need.

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 6years' experience in industrial, manufacturing, processing, utilities, energy, or heavy industry environments.
• Experience designing, troubleshooting and commissioning electrical power, control and automation systems.
• Practical experience with PLC programming and fault finding using platforms such as Siemens, Schneider Electric, Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Beckhoff, or CODESYS.
• Strong knowledge of electrical distribution systems, power generation, generator synchronisation, switchgear, protection systems, MCCs, VSDs, instrumentation and industrial control panels.
• Experience with HMI and SCADA systems and industrial communication networks such as Modbus, Ethernet/IP and Profinet.
• Strong electrical and control system fault-finding, diagnostics and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience managing contractors and commissioning industrial plant and equipment.
• Understanding of project delivery, budgeting and contract administration.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or similar design software is desirable.
• Experience within waste processing, recycling, energy generation, manufacturing or heavy industrial operations would be advantageous.

Additional Information

What’s in it for you.

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and encourages work‑life balance.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact by contributing to sustainability and environmental conservation efforts.

WM New Zealand is an EEO employer and promotes drug and alcohol‑free workplaces. You must be in New Zealand and hold a current work visa/residency or NZ citizenship.