Protection & Automation Engineer

Join an expert team, enjoy varied mahi, collaboration, and learning
- Work on new-build and brown-field projects from inception to completion
- Help enable the New Zealand Transmission Grid of the future

Use your Protection expertise and people skills to work both at a high level, and where risk and complexity require more detailed analysis.

Transpower owns and operates New Zealand's National Grid; the unique High Voltage transmission network connecting areas of generation with towns and cities across New Zealand. The National Grid is connected by HVDC between our two main islands, with a large amount of renewable energy generated in the South and a growing load requirement in the North.

At the heart of the electricity sector, Transpower proactively plans for the grid of the future that will connect new renewable energy projects and enable the transition to a net-zero carbon economy. Enquiries to connect to the Grid from generators, distributors, and end-users have doubled in the past three years and these projects are cheaper and faster to build than ever before. We are working hard to ensure we can respond by offering connections faster and more efficiently.

Our Grid Development division identifies the long-term needs of the National Grid, based on the potential for investment in generation, expected load growth, and changes in electricity demand and technology. This includes:

- Developing transmission solutions to meet these needs while ensuring the grid continues to meet our customers' expectations for cost and reliability.
- Working with the business and regulator to acquire approvals for nationally significant transmission infrastructure projects.

Tactical Engineering and Estimation provides the engineering support and expertise to planning, investigations and project delivery functions within Grid Development, and ensures that Transpower's objectives are met through quality, cost-effective engineering design which is carried out by external Engineering Consultants.

**About the team**

The Protection & Automation teams in Tactical Engineering are collectively responsible for:

- Engineering and asset management investigations, design, project support, technical specifications, and cost estimation covering high voltage electricity transmission, specifically Protection & Automation, and supporting primary systems with a capital value of $700-$800m pa.
- Managing a range of technical controlled documents that include technical policies, design standards, standard designs, service, and purchase specifications.
- Innovations, including new equipment and alternative designs, which will be studied and implemented by the team to meet the demands of a quickly developing energy market as we move towards a more sustainable future.
- Providing solutions which also consider the needs of the Substations, Transmission Lines, Asset Planning, and Operations teams.

**About the Opportunity**

Based in Auckland or Wellington, as the Asset Owner's Engineer, you'll work on exciting projects from start to finish - supporting the initial business case, scoping the detailed design, and providing commissioning support.

You'll collaborate with project managers and engineering consultants to investigate options and develop feasible solutions that enable faster grid connections to our customer facilities, and to enhance the resilience and reliability of the grid. It's exciting mahi as you'll:

- Join a team with a wealth of skills and experiences they are happy to share.
- Help international customers looking to connect generation to the grid.
- Be involved in the implementation of Digital Substations.
- Help the operation to strengthen the National Grid's delivery resilience through astute protection design.

**What will you bring?**

You'll have well developed verbal and written communication skills, curiosity, and the desire to collaborate, and be an accredited Electrical/Power Engineering engineer with a degree qualification under the Washington Accord.

**To be shortlisted, your CV and cover letter will clearly demonstrate**:

- ~5 years in high voltage protection and automation design, configuration, settings and commissioning.
- Familiarity with engineering software and tools e.g. PowerFactory, AutoCAD.
- Understanding of networking and communications technology including IEC 61850 and DNP3.
- Experience with manufacturer software platforms and settings for SEL, Siemens and MiCOM relays.
- Experience in secondary circuit design.

**Join us at Transpower**

Aotearoa is powered by the people who work here. Every home, every marae, every electric vehicle, every hospital relies on the electricity we manage and deliver. This is your opportunity to join us on a mission that affects all New Zealanders, every day and long into the future.

With over 28 nationalities, our people provide diverse perspectives, knowledge, and deep and multifaceted experience which they love to share.

**Next Steps**

**Role closes Monday 14