Design Manager - Substation (Relocation Role to New Zealand)

Senior / Principal Primary Electrical Engineer – Design Manager

Location: Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch, New Zealand (Christchurch preferred)

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Industry: Power Transmission & Distribution / Electrical Engineering Consultancy / Energy Infrastructure

Relocation: International relocation assistance available

Job Summary

We are representing an established New Zealand-based electrical engineering consultancy specialising in the design and delivery of high-voltage transmission and distribution infrastructure, renewable energy developments and complex electrical engineering projects.

Our client is seeking experienced Senior / Principal Primary Electrical Engineers – Design Managers to join its expanding engineering team in New Zealand.

This opportunity is suited to electrical engineering professionals with strong technical expertise in high-voltage substation primary design, multidisciplinary engineering coordination and project design delivery.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for delivering detailed primary electrical designs while coordinating engineering disciplines including primary, secondary, protection and control, SCADA and telecommunications.

The position offers exposure to major infrastructure projects across New Zealand and international markets, with opportunities to progress into technical leadership and engineering management.

Singapore-based candidates interested in relocating to New Zealand are encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

Primary Electrical Engineering Design

• Lead and undertake primary electrical engineering design for high-voltage transmission and sub-transmission substations, including 400kV, 220kV, 110kV, 66kV, 33kV and 11kV systems, as applicable to project requirements.

• Develop detailed engineering designs for new substations, substation extensions, upgrades and electrical infrastructure developments.

• Prepare and review electrical single-line diagrams, substation general arrangements, equipment layouts, electrical clearances and associated primary engineering documentation.

• Coordinate the design and integration of primary electrical equipment, including power transformers, circuit breakers, disconnectors, current transformers, voltage transformers, busbars and associated high-voltage equipment.

• Review equipment specifications, technical calculations, engineering drawings and design documentation to ensure compliance with project requirements.

• Support the development of electrical infrastructure designs for renewable energy integration, industrial facilities, traction substations and EV charging infrastructure where relevant.

• Ensure engineering designs consider operational safety, maintainability, reliability and applicable technical standards.

Multidisciplinary Design Management

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams involved in high-voltage substation and electrical infrastructure projects.

• Manage interfaces between primary design, secondary systems, protection and control, SCADA, telecommunications and associated engineering disciplines.

• Oversee design activities from initial engineering development through detailed design, technical reviews and final documentation.

• Establish and monitor design deliverables, engineering schedules, technical requirements and project milestones.

• Coordinate internal engineering resources and specialist technical inputs to ensure consistent and timely design delivery.

• Identify and resolve technical design conflicts, interface issues and engineering risks.

• Conduct multidisciplinary design reviews and ensure engineering deliverables are appropriately checked and approved.

• Provide technical direction and guidance to engineers, designers and drafting personnel.

Project Engineering and Technical Leadership

• Act as a technical lead or design manager for assigned electrical infrastructure projects.

• Liaise with project managers, clients, contractors, equipment manufacturers and other engineering stakeholders.

• Review technical specifications, design assumptions, engineering calculations and proposed solutions.

• Support engineering decisions relating to equipment selection, system configuration, constructability and design optimisation.

• Participate in technical meetings, design workshops and project coordination discussions.

• Monitor design quality, engineering progress and technical compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

• Provide technical support during procurement, construction, installation, testing and commissioning as required.

• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes and design standards.

Engineering Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure engineering designs comply with relevant New Zealand, Australian and internationally recognised electrical engineering standards.

• Apply appropriate safety, engineering quality and technical risk-management principles.

• Prepare and review technical reports, design documentation and engineering presentations.

• Maintain accurate engineering records and ensure design deliverables meet client and project specifications.

• Support engineering innovation, technical standardisation and improvements in project delivery.

Essential Requirements

Qualifications

Professional Experience

• Minimum 6 years of relevant industry experience for Senior Engineer positions.

• Approximately 15 years or more of relevant industry experience for Principal Engineer positions.

• Demonstrated experience in primary electrical engineering design for high-voltage transmission or sub-transmission substations.

• Ability to independently undertake primary electrical engineering design through the detailed design stage.

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams across primary, secondary, protection, SCADA and telecommunications systems.

• Proven experience delivering engineering design packages for electrical infrastructure projects.

• Sound understanding of high-voltage substation equipment, engineering interfaces and applicable electrical engineering standards.

• Ability to manage technical deliverables, engineering priorities and design coordination activities.

• Strong technical communication, problem-solving and stakeholder-management skills.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience working within an electrical engineering design consultancy, utility engineering division or substation EPC engineering environment.

• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) registration in New Zealand or demonstrated progress towards an equivalent professional registration.

• Experience with 66kV to 400kV transmission and sub-transmission projects.

• Experience designing both AIS and GIS substation infrastructure.

• Familiarity with engineering design requirements for renewable energy generation, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and grid connection infrastructure.

• Exposure to traction substations, industrial power distribution or other complex electrical infrastructure projects.

• Experience coordinating engineering activities across multiple projects or technical disciplines.

• Previous experience supporting construction, testing, commissioning and energisation activities from an engineering design perspective.

Current Project Exposure

Successful candidates may contribute to engineering projects involving:

• 400kV, 220kV and 110kV transmission substations.

• 66kV, 33kV and 11kV distribution substations.

• 11kV AC / 1,500V DC railway traction substations.

• Utility-scale solar, wind and Battery Energy Storage System developments.

• Industrial and commercial electrical installations.

• High-capacity DC fast-charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, buses and heavy transport.

International Relocation Assistance

Our client welcomes applications from suitably qualified engineers currently based in Singapore who are interested in pursuing a long-term engineering career in New Zealand.

Relocation assistance may be offered on a case-by-case basis and can include:

• Flights for the successful candidate and immediate family members.

• Assistance with the shipment and removal of household belongings.

• Temporary accommodation upon arrival in New Zealand.

• Home-search and settling-in assistance.

• Surface travel and storage expenses where agreed.

• Employer support towards applicable work visa costs for the candidate and eligible family members.

• A contribution towards eligible Straight to Residence Visa application costs, where applicable.

All relocation benefits must be mutually agreed before expenses are incurred.

Relocation assistance is subject to a 24-month repayment agreement, with applicable relocation costs repayable on a pro-rata basis if employment ends within the specified period.

Immigration eligibility and any required professional recognition will be assessed individually.

Employee Benefits and Career Development

Flexible Working and Work-Life Balance

• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working options where suitable for the position.

• Supportive and collaborative engineering environment.

• Opportunities to work with engineering teams across different locations and business divisions.

Health, Insurance and Wellbeing

• Annual personal wellbeing allowance towards eligible fitness, healthcare and lifestyle expenses.

• Life and critical illness insurance coverage for eligible permanent employees.

• Access to discounted medical insurance.

• Confidential employee assistance and counselling services.

• Flu vaccinations and workplace wellbeing initiatives.

• Discounts on selected products and services, including fuel and electronic equipment.

Family and Parental Benefits

• Eligible primary caregivers may receive parental leave payment top-ups to 80% of regular income for up to 26 weeks.

• Two weeks of paid parental leave for eligible secondary caregivers.

• Additional parental leave-related benefits may apply according to company policy and eligibility.

Professional Development

• Structured mentoring and professional development opportunities.

• Annual performance and development discussions.

• Opportunities to develop technical leadership and engineering management capabilities.

• Cross-functional exposure to engineering teams, projects and business locations.

• Long-service recognition benefits commencing from the second year of service.

Workplace Culture

• Inclusive and supportive team environment.

• Employee social clubs, team-building activities and company events.

• Recognition of employee contributions and achievements.

• Workplace initiatives promoting wellbeing, collaboration and professional growth.

All benefits are subject to applicable eligibility criteria and company policies.

Additional Information

This is a New Zealand-based permanent opportunity with international relocation assistance potentially available.

Candidates should be prepared to relocate to Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch, with Christchurch being the preferred office location.

Flexible commencement dates may be considered to accommodate notice periods and relocation arrangements.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply with an updated CV outlining their experience in high-voltage primary electrical design, relevant substation projects and multidisciplinary design management.

Applications will be assessed based on relevant technical qualifications, engineering experience and suitability for the position.