At the heart of New Zealand's electricity sector, Transpower's position as Grid Owner and System Operator is unique. With $5 billion of assets and a whole-of-industry view, our work is essential to enabling accelerated electrification to meet climate change and sustainability goals that will impact generations to come.
About the team
Our Secondary Systems Planning team in Grid Development manages the Secondary Systems asset portfolio, which includes Secondary Assets, HVDC, Dynamic Reactive Power, and Capacitors and Reactors. The team focuses on:

• Developing design standards for secondary systems
• Engineering secondary systems and controls, including protection
• Substation automation and telecommunications interfacing
• Specialist HVDC engineering

We ensure investment targets the right asset at the right time, optimising whole-of-life costs and managing risk to align with Transpower's strategic objectives.
About the opportunity
As an Asset Planner - Protection & Automation, based in Wellington or Christchurch, you will contribute to developing and integrating asset management plans that balance Capex and Opex while applying lifecycle costing to support investment decisions. You will assist the Asset Management Planning Manager with sustainable work plans and protection and automation initiatives, oversee condition assessments, lifecycle modelling, and integrate health models for informed decision-making.
Your work will include researching and recommending new protection and automation technologies for potential grid use, collaborating with teams to provide technical input and reports, and helping to develop policies and standards for asset design and procurement.
Your contribution will play a key role in advancing our strategic sustainability initiatives and fostering a resilient energy future for Aotearoa.
Get an insight into our team's impact through our Asset Management Plan 2023
Over the next 12 to 18 months, you will contribute to major initiatives, including the planning of Digital Substation technology for use on existing brownfield sites.
About you
You're a thoughtful and an effective communicator with proven ability in navigating complex projects and collaborating successfully across diverse teams. Your collaborative approach, combined with strong analytical thinking, enables you to engage the right individuals at the right time to drive positive outcomes.
You bring:

• Solid understanding of core power system operational processes and tools.
• Experience in protection and automation engineering within high-voltage networks.
• Familiarity with power systems, protection systems, regulations, high-voltage equipment, and generation plants.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong relationship management skills, including active listening, advocacy, and influencing key stakeholders.
• Capability to assess and implement lessons learned across the organisation.

Join us at Transpower
Aotearoa is powered by the people who work here. Every home, every marae, every electric vehicle, and 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.
We work in the office or on-site for a minimum of three days each week, which helps us build and maintain relationships, support learning, deliver outcomes, and sustain our culture. This approach also offers staff the flexibility they need for both work and personal commitments, with adaptable daily start and finish times.
Employee wellbeing is prioritised with a range of health and wellness benefits—check them out here: Staff benefits | Transpower
Next steps
To be part of a dedicated team that thrives on solving complex challenges, review the position description below or via our website and apply without delay!
Role closes Sunday 17 November; however, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and you may be contacted prior to the closing date to facilitate shortlisting.
Existing eligibility to work in New Zealand is preferred.
While we aim to appoint before Christmas, we are happy to accommodate your personal circumstances regarding a start date in January 2025.

Job Details