Senior Design Engineer

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Design Engineer to join our Contracting team. Based in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, you'll play a key role in the design, estimation, and delivery of electricity distribution projects that help power communities across New Zealand.

This is a senior technical role where you'll lead the design and pricing of a wide range of customer and network-initiated works, including overhead and underground networks, new connections, subdivisions, network reinforcements, maintenance works, capital projects, and substation infrastructure. You'll work closely with Project Managers, Estimators, field teams, customers, developers, contractors, consultants, and suppliers to develop practical, cost-effective solutions that meet customer requirements and industry standards.

Beyond technical delivery, you'll act as a subject matter expert for the team, providing guidance, mentoring, and coaching to Design Engineers and Estimators. You'll identify opportunities for continuous improvement, support project reviews, contribute to performance outcomes, and help drive quality, safety, and customer satisfaction across the business.

This is an opportunity to work on diverse and interesting projects while making a real impact on New Zealand's electricity infrastructure.

About You

You'll be a highly experienced electrical design professional with a strong understanding of distribution networks and a passion for delivering high-quality engineering solutions.

To be successful, you'll ideally bring

• A Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Level 7 or equivalent)
• A full, endorsed New Zealand Driver Licence
• At least 5 years' experience in the design and estimation of electrical distribution networks, either with a network owner or electrical contracting/service provider
• Strong expertise in HV and LV network design, electricity infrastructure, and substation projects
• Experience preparing accurate estimates, tenders, and pricing proposals
• Sound knowledge of relevant industry standards, health and safety requirements, and environmental legislation
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build positive working relationships with customers, contractors, developers, consultants, and internal teams
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
• A collaborative leadership style with a passion for coaching and supporting others
• A continuous improvement mindset and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer outcomes
• Most importantly, you'll be a team player who leads by example, values safety above all else, and takes pride in delivering quality work that supports both customer success and Northpower's future growth.

What’s in it for you?

Make real impact across Aotearoa in a stable and future‑focused sector. At Northpower, you’ll do work that matters and powers our communities while growing your career in an organisation that genuinely cares for its people.

You’ll benefit from

• A people‑first culture built on safety, inclusion, and deep care, where contributions are recognised and wellbeing is supported through EAP and our award‑winning peer support network
• Fair and market competitive pay with a full private use Northpower vehicle and the flexibility to tailor through additional leave and increased employer KiwiSaver contributions
• Life insurance and preventative health initiatives
• Discounted group medical cover and health and fitness programmes
• Discounted fuel rates plus a range of retail discounts
• Ongoing learning and development, with clear career pathways to help you grow, specialise, or progress
• A welcoming, family‑friendly workplace where people are encouraged to be themselves and feel valued

About Northpower – Powering Communities Across Aotearoa

Northpower is an organisation with deep regional roots and national reach. We own and operate the electricity and fibre networks across Whangārei and Kaipara, delivering essential infrastructure to more than 60,000 connected customers, while also operating one of New Zealand’s largest multi‑utility contracting businesses.

From keeping the lights on today to building the infrastructure that will power tomorrow, our work spans electricity, fibre, renewables, transmission, and energy services. With more than 1,400 people across 16 locations, we act as one to support our communities, customers, clients, and critical national infrastructure across Aotearoa.

What connects all of this work is real impact you can see in your community. The work you do at Northpower matters – it is seen, felt, and relied on every day.

How To Apply

If you’re looking for meaningful work that makes a real difference – and which you can be proud of, we offer the opportunity to grow your career while supporting the communities that rely on us every day. We embrace diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to an inclusive, respectful workplace where everyone feels they belong.

Apply now via and be supported, challenged, and trusted to do work that truly matters.

As part of our commitment to safety and wellbeing, pre‑employment checks will include a criminal history check, drug and alcohol testing, and a medical assessment.

Only applicants with the right to work in New Zealand will be considered for this opportunity.