At Contact, we put our energy where it matters. We’re helping build a more sustainable energy future for Aotearoa, and our South Island hydro schemes sit at the heart of that ambition.
Our South Island Schemes are spread across the whole island from Marlborough/Tasman in the North, down the West Coast, Canterbury and Clyde, Roxburgh and Waipori in Otago Operating and investing in critical renewable generation assets requires exceptional engineering capability, and we’re delivering projects that improve safety, reliability and performance across our hydro fleet while creating enduring value for the communities we serve.
For electrical engineers, this is an opportunity to work where engineering decisions have a realworld impact. You’ll contribute to projects involving a variety of generation plant, HV and LV transformers, circuit breakers and electrical systems, protection and control, asset renewals and complex multidisciplinary interfaces. Add either the Christchurch or the Central Otago lifestyle, with its lakes, mountains, trails, ski fields, wineries and welcoming communities, and you have the chance to build an exceptional career in places where life outside work is every bit as rewarding.
Te āhua o te tūranga | The nature of the role
As our Senior Project Electrical Engineer, you’ll work client-side across the full project lifecycle, helping take complex electrical engineering projects from early design through procurement, manufacturing, installation and commissioning. Based in Clyde or Christchurch, you could be reviewing technical designs one day, working through a critical interface the next, then heading to site to coordinate contractors and see the solution come to life. You’ll have the opportunity to lead discrete projects and work packages, procure critical plant and equipment, and help deliver assets that will support renewable generation for years to come.
You’ll bring together technical detail, commercial awareness and practical project delivery experience. That means supporting design reviews, managing risk, quality, costs and schedules, working through contract variations and making sure project controls provide a clear picture of progress. You’ll collaborate with Project Managers, Engineering Leads, contractors and operational teams, while also mentoring others across the Hydro Engineering team. The mahi is varied, the assets are significant and your contribution will directly support the safe, reliable performance of some of New Zealand’s most important generation infrastructure!.
First and foremost, you’ll need a relevant electrical/engineering degree or equivalent qualification, along with appropriate professional registration and substantial project experience gained in a complex technical environment. You’ll understand how projects move through design, procurement, construction and commissioning, and you’ll be confident working with critical project controls such as risk, quality, scheduling, document management and handover. Strong communication and relationship skills are also essential, as you’ll need to influence decisions, navigate challenging conversations and make complex technical information clear to
different audiences.
An electrical engineering background is essential, particularly if you’ve worked with power
generation, high voltage infrastructure, protection and control, major plant upgrades or asset renewal programmes. Client-side project engineering experience and knowledge of EPC, design-build or construction contracting frameworks would also be valuable, but we know great engineers don’t always arrive through the same pathway. What matters is that you’re curious, composed under pressure and comfortable solving problems when the answer isn’t immediately obvious. You’ll bring people together, welcome different perspectives and take genuine pride in delivering quality outcomes. If you meet the core requirements but not every preference, tukuna
mai tō tono, we’d still love to hear from you!
Contact is not a place you’ll stagnate. We’re growing, evolving, and investing in our people. We also offer a bunch of other perks like free health insurance cover, boosted KiwiSaver, access to Contact Shares, a ‘Good to be Home’ annual payment toward your home set up & wellbeing, a trail-blazing parental leave policy, twice yearly payments towards our products if you’re a Contact customer, and more!
Applications close on 5pm on Friday the 2nd 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.
Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) does not accept any CVs received from recruitment agencies where a formal engagement has not been confirmed and agreed to with our Talent team. In the event that unsolicited CVs are submitted by recruitment agencies, Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and consider them for current/future vacancies without any financial obligation to the recruitment agency in question. This will also apply to any CVs sent directly to line managers.
Contact (contact.co.nz ) is one of New Zealand’s largest energy retailers and generators. We’re committed to building a better New Zealand.
We balance our commitment to lowering carbon emissions and producing renewable energy, with maintaining reliable access to energy for our 500,000 customers.
We generate electricity from hydro, geothermal and gas and have one of the most flexible generation portfolios in the country.
