Principal Protection Engineer

About the Role

Are you a recognised expert in transmission protection engineering, ready to make a national impact? Join ElectroNet as a Principal Protection Engineer and drive the future of New Zealand's energy infrastructure.

As a Principal Protection Engineer with us, you will:

• Lead the design and delivery of advanced protection and secondary systems for transmission networks.
• Apply specialist knowledge to develop innovative engineering solutions, including feasibility studies, R&D, and design refinement.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and peer review support to team members across the ElectroNet group.
• Develop and author comprehensive technical reports, design documentation, and strategic papers.
• Scope, quote, plan, and manage projects to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery to agreed quality standards.
• Lead discussions with clients to negotiate project scope, technical requirements, and deliverables.
• Manage resources including budgets, materials, and project personnel.
• Assist with business development activities, including identifying opportunities, tender preparation, and customer engagement

What We're Looking For:

• Extensive experience in protection and secondary systems engineering within transmission networks (direct Transpower project experience is highly preferred)
• Recognised technical leader with a track record of delivering complex transmission protection solutions.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to lead and inspire a technical team.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills.
• Deep understanding of the New Zealand power system environment (or similar).
• Relevant tertiary qualification(s) in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Chartered or Professional Engineer status (or working towards).

What's in it for you:

As a member of our team, you will be part of a supportive work environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and growth. We offer a range of benefits including:

• ElectroNet Plus: Our long service recognition programme (rewards starting at 2 years)
• ElectroNet Coach: Our in-house mentoring programme, focused on mentorship and leadership development
• Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Parental Leave: Up to 26 weeks of primary carer leave top-up payments (to 80% of salary), including employer contributions to KiwiSaver during this period, and annual leave paid at full value for eligible primary carers. Partners and spouses are also supported with two weeks of fully paid parental leave.
• Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.
• Flexible Work: Flexible work arrangements to support work/life balance.
• Wellbeing: Wellbeing benefits including a personal option wellbeing allowance (POWA), 24/7 confidential EAP support, fresh fruit and free flu vaccinations
• Insurance: Life and critical illness insurance cover.
• Discounts: Access to a range of discounts, including fuel, and health insurance.
• Workride: NZ ride to work benefit scheme
• Innovative Environment: Be part of a forward-thinking company that values continuous improvement.
• Collaborative Culture: Work in a supportive and collaborative environment.
• Celebrations: Celebration of special occasions, social club and team events

About Us:

The ElectroNet Group is proudly 100% New Zealand owned.

This award-winning, multidisciplinary Group comprises the ownership and operation of electricity infrastructure, the construction and maintenance of electrical transmission and services, engineering consultancy and design professional services, along with a team which develops innovative technology for the benefit of the industry. Our broad range of capabilities enables us to provide end-to-end business solutions to projects, take on complex challenges and provide innovative solutions for our clients.

The ElectroNet Consulting team takes pride in delivering market-leading electrical design and consulting services to customers across Australasia. We combine a breadth of industry knowledge with a commitment to using the best available technology, to deliver impressive results and future-proofed projects.

Our vision is to be leaders in electrical energy and technology, and we believe we can achieve this because of the values we work by every day – we look after each other, we work smarter, we do the right thing and together we can achieve great things.

Underpinning our vision, our purpose is to provide sustainable electrical solutions which enhance communities. We are community owned and at the heart of what we do is maintain the health and safety of our people and the communities we service.

At ElectroNet, we believe that our strength lies in our diversity. We are committed to creating a workplace culture that is equitable, inclusive, and supportive of all employees. We welcome and celebrate differences and believe that these differences make us stronger as a team.

Visit us at to find out more.

Next steps:

Take the next step in your career and help shape the future of sustainable energy.

For more information, and for a copy of the position description, please contact the People Team at

We are happy to accommodate your personal circumstances with respect to a start date.

Please Note that our business will be closed from 20 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. We'll resume reviewing applications on 5 January 2026. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to considering your application in the new year.