Senior Project Engineer - EC&I

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Taupo; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Company shares

Parental leave policy

Home setup stipend

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Contact Energy is seeking a Senior Project Engineer, EC&I, to lead electrical, control and instrumentation systems for geothermal and other renewables. You will drive concept through to handover, coordinating with project managers, contractors and operations teams to ensure safe, reliable and high-performing assets.

You will leverage your EC&I expertise across multidisciplinary settings, managing stakeholders and delivering complex technical outcomes while maintaining a strong safety and quality

Qualifications

• Experienced electrical, control, instrumentation or automation professional.
• Engineering qualification with experience delivering EC&I projects.
• Comfortable working across multidisciplinary environments and leading technical delivery.

Responsibilities

• Deliver electrical, control and instrumentation systems for renewable energy projects.
• Oversee concept, design, construction, commissioning and handover phases.
• Collaborate with project managers, contractors, consultants and operations teams.

Skills

EC&I engineering

Electrical systems

Project management

Stakeholder management

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

PLC/SCADA/DCS

Job description

Whakatakoto te tūāpapa | Laying the foundation

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 pipeline of geothermal, wind, solar and battery projects. Every project we deliver helps strengthen energy security, support decarbonisation and create long-term value for our customers, communities and the country.

Geothermal generation sits at the heart of our renewable future. From power station upgrades and greenfield developments to the control systems and technology that keep our assets operating safely and efficiently, we're continually investing in innovation and operational excellence. Our teams work at the intersection of engineering, technology and sustainability, solving complex challenges while helping power New Zealand with reliable, renewable energy for generations to come.

Job Description

Te āhua o te tūranga | The nature of the role

As our Senior Project Engineer, EC&I, you'll play a key role in delivering the electrical, control and instrumentation systems that underpin some of New Zealand's most significant renewable energy projects. Working across geothermal developments and major capital programmes, you'll help bring critical infrastructure to life, overseeing everything from concept and design through to construction, commissioning and handover. This is a role where you'll see the direct impact of your work, helping ensure our assets are safe, reliable and built to perform for decades to come.

You'll partner closely with project managers, contractors, consultants and operations teams to deliver complex technical outcomes. One day you might be supporting the design of high-voltage electrical infrastructure, protection systems or control architectures, the next you could be onsite resolving technical issues, reviewing commissioning activities or guiding contractors through delivery challenges. It's a hands-on role with genuine variety, where your expertise will help shape projects that are critical to New Zealand's renewable energy future.

Qualifications

Ko wai koe | About you

You'll likely be an experienced electrical, control systems, instrumentation or automation engineering professional who enjoys turning complex technical challenges into practical solutions. A relevant engineering qualification and experience delivering electrical, control or industrial infrastructure projects will provide a strong foundation for success. You'll be comfortable working across multidisciplinary environments, building trusted relationships and contributing technical leadership throughout project delivery.

Just as importantly, you'll be someone who enjoys collaborating with others, sharing knowledge and helping teams succeed. We're looking for a pragmatic problem solver, someone who can balance technical excellence with commercial and operational realities. Experience within power generation, heavy industry, utilities, manufacturing or renewable energy would be highly regarded, but it isn't essential. If you've built your expertise in another sector and can bring transferable EC&I skills, fresh thinking and a growth mindset, we'd love to hear from you. We know great engineers don't always tick every box, so if this opportunity excites you, tukuna mai tō tono.

Must-haves

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering or similar discipline
• Experience delivering EC&I projects in industrial environments
• Strong knowledge of electrical, control and instrumentation systems
• Ability to manage technical stakeholders and contractors
• Commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement

Nice-to-haves

• Power generation, geothermal or renewable energy experience
• Automation, PLC, SCADA or DCS systems experience
• High-voltage electrical infrastructure experience
• Commissioning and operational readiness exposure
• Chartered or working toward professional accreditation

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!

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.