Protection Design Engineer

Relocate to New Zealand | Multiple Locations Nationwide

Protection, Primary, Secondary & Substation Design Opportunities

Looking for a career move that offers challenging technical work and an exceptional lifestyle?

We're partnering with two highly respected engineering consultancies that are expanding their power and energy teams across New Zealand. With a strong pipeline of transmission, distribution, renewable energy and infrastructure projects, they're seeking experienced Protection, Primary, Secondary and Substation Design Engineers to help deliver some of the country's most significant energy projects.

Whether you're an experienced technical specialist or an established engineering leader, these opportunities offer the chance to work on complex projects while enjoying everything New Zealand has to offer.

Locations available:

• Auckland

• Wellington

• Hamilton

• Tauranga

• Christchurch

• Dunedin

Visa sponsorship and relocation assistance are available for suitable international candidates.

The Opportunities

We are recruiting across a range of levels and disciplines, including:

• Protection Design Engineer

• Primary Systems Engineer

• Secondary Systems Engineer

• Substation Design Engineer

You'll be involved in delivering innovative projects across the transmission, distribution, renewable energy, industrial and infrastructure sectors.

Depending on your experience, responsibilities may include:

• HV and EHV substation design

• Protection and control system design

• Protection studies and relay coordination

• Primary plant layout and equipment specification

• Secondary systems design and SCADA integration

• Earthing and lightning protection studies

• Cable and network studies

• Technical design reviews and quality assurance

• Client engagement and stakeholder management

• Project leadership and multidisciplinary project delivery

Choose Your Next Career Move

Build and Shape a Growing Business

Join a globally supported consultancy that is expanding its energy capability across New Zealand.

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in building a growing business while leveraging the systems, expertise and backing of an established international organisation. You'll have a genuine voice in technical standards, team development, client relationships and future growth.

Join a High-Growth New Zealand Consultancy

Work with one of New Zealand's fastest-growing engineering consultancies, known for its collaborative culture, flexible working environment and people-first approach.

You'll be part of a talented and ambitious team delivering impactful projects while enjoying genuine opportunities for professional development and career progression.

About You

We're keen to speak with engineers who bring strong technical expertise and a passion for delivering quality outcomes.

You'll likely have:

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in Electrical Engineering

• A Washington Accord-recognised engineering qualification

• 5+ years' experience in power systems, protection, substations, primary or secondary design

• Experience working within consulting, utility, EPC, network owner or owner's engineer environments

• A sound understanding of transmission and/or distribution networks

• Experience with HV substation design and relevant industry standards

• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

• A collaborative and solutions-focused approach

For Protection-focused roles, experience with the following will be highly regarded:

• Protection philosophies and schemes

• Relay coordination and settings

• Protection and control design

For Lead-level positions, experience in the following is desirable:

• Leading engineering projects and teams

• Client relationship management

• Mentoring and developing engineers

• Commercial awareness and proposal preparation

Career Growth

Join organisations making significant investments in their power and energy capability, creating genuine opportunities for technical and leadership advancement.

Diverse and Meaningful Projects

Work across transmission, distribution, renewable energy, battery energy storage and critical infrastructure projects that support New Zealand's future energy needs.

Leadership Opportunities

Influence technical direction, mentor emerging engineers and help shape growing teams.

Flexible Location Options

Choose from several major centres across New Zealand, each offering its own unique lifestyle and career opportunities.

Typical salary ranges include:

• Senior Design Engineers:NZD $120,000 – $200,000

• Lead Design Engineers:NZD $200,000 – $260,000+

Interested?

Whether you're a Protection Engineer looking to take the next step in your career or an experienced Lead Engineer seeking a new challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today for a confidential discussion and learn more about these exciting opportunities with two leading New Zealand power and energy consultancies.