Job Description

Engineering & Asset Specialist – Electricity Networks​

Internal Title: Power Assets Manager

📍 New Plymouth, Palmerston North or Tauranga, with the flexibility to work from the location that suits you best.

🕐 Permanent - Full-time

Purpose of the role

In this role, you’ll lead the team responsible for some of Powerco’s most critical electricity network assets, including zone substations, power transformers and switchgear that help supply electricity to more than 350,000 customer connections across our network.

This is a unique opportunity to combine technical expertise, commercial judgement and people leadership. Working alongside highly capable engineers and asset specialists, you’ll make risk-based investment decisions that balance safety, reliability, affordability and long-term customer outcomes.

If you enjoy solving technical problems, working with data and analytics, guiding strategic investment decisions, and leading talented people, this role offers the best of both engineering and leadership.

What you’ll do

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of engineers and asset management professionals responsible for Powerco’s primary and secondary substation assets.
• Provide technical leadership and direction on asset health, risk, reliability and investment priorities.
• Use data, analysis and engineering judgement to make informed asset management and investment decisions.
• Develop long-term strategies for critical network assets including transformers, switchgear, protection systems and associated substation equipment.
• Work alongside planning, operations and delivery teams to ensure investment decisions deliver value for customers and support network reliability.
• Be a key contributor to Powerco’s asset management, investment planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Help shape the future electricity network as New Zealand transitions toward greater electrification and renewable energy.

What you’ll bring

We’re open to candidates from across the electricity and infrastructure sectors who are excited by the opportunity to combine technical leadership with people leadership.

You’ll likely bring:

• A degree qualification in electrical engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience working with high-voltage electrical assets, ideally substations, transformers, switchgear or related infrastructure.
• The ability to interpret technical information, understand risk, and make sound commercial decisions.
• A passion for data, analysis and evidence-based decision making.
• Experience leading people either directly or indirectly
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders.

Experience in asset management, investment planning, design, projects or engineering leadership within electricity, energy or other infrastructure industries will be highly regarded.

📅 Applications close: Sunday 11 October 2026

Our ability to get the best out of people is what sets Powerco apart. We realise that candidates – especially from underrepresented and neurodiverse backgrounds – often won’t apply for roles unless they meet ALL the criteria. We encourage anyone who shares our passion for connecting communities to apply for any role that aligns to your strengths and interests. We will provide a safe space where you can bring your whole self to work and thrive.

If you would benefit from support or adjustments in order to participate equitably in the recruitment process, please phone 0800 769372 or email kiaora@powerco.co.nz