2023 Graduate National Grid Asset Engineers (Electrical) (Jan 2023)

• Kick start your professional career with Aotearoa's Grid Owner and Operator!
• Get outdoors and see Transpower substations and sites across the country
• Enjoy a great balance between field experience and technical desk work

Work on primary and secondary assets to ensure a safe and reliable Grid. Develop your technical experience in a fun, supportive environment.

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.

With a whole-of-industry view of the electricity sector, we are at the forefront of the country's pending electricity transformation. Our team is working hard to enable accelerated electrification, and a sustainable net carbon zero future.

The Opportunity

As a Transpower Graduate, commencing our programme in February 2023, you'll gain a range of skills and have the opportunity to put the theory and first principals you have learnt into practice to play a part in shaping the future of New Zealand's electricity industry. 

You'll be based at our Wellington head office and complete a circa two-year rotational programme, with regular coaching and mentoring from a range of experts.  You'll be provided with a hands-on overview of our Grid Development and Operational Engineering areas following the life cycle of grid assets (e.g. substations) from concept, through the design phase, to installation, ongoing maintenance, and condition reporting.

At the conclusion of the programme, you'll have options to further your career in several fields including Protection and Automation Engineering or HVDC and Power Electronics. You'll be involved in work that ensures a safe and reliable grid from day one and may be part of:

• Substation design, and delivery.  Work with Service Providers in the field on new substation builds, commissioning new equipment, or maintenance projects
• Protection and Automation projects from inception to completion
• Fault analysis and engineering response to power system events, and root cause analysis of failures
• Protection coordination for grid connected parties as prescribed under the Electricity Industry Participation Code
• Learning about equipment and systems associated with Transpower's HVDC link, and power electronics assets (Static Synchronous Compensators, Static Var Compensators), Synchronous Condensers, and Regional Power Controllers
• HVDC projects like our New STATCOM - to be commissioned by mid-2023

You'll build relationships across the business as you rotate through different Transpower grid engineering areas, including working in the field and spending time on a consultancy placement - helping you to grow your technical knowledge, gain outstanding people skills and develop a good understanding of internal and external customers.  Ultimately you'll explore where and how you wish to shape your Engineering career with us.

What will you bring

By December 2022 you will hold a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Electrical or other relevant discipline e.g. Mechatronics or you may be completing your Master's or further study in a relevant field.

You'll have achieved/are achieving a B+ average or GPA of 5.5 or above in your studies and demonstrate curiosity, outstanding written and verbal communication skills, and active listening.

Good analytical and problem-solving skills will support your love of detail-orientated work/study, but conversely, you'll have an interest in the future of energy, be broad-minded, and see challenges as opportunities.

While not essential, please tell us if you have:

• Basic knowledge/experience of the New Zealand electricity supply industry
• Skills in scripting/programming/coding
• A foundational understanding of one or more of the following: power system design and operation; static and dynamic modelling of power systems; and the behaviour of power system plant and equipment in service
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications including MS Office (PLS-CADD and/or Power Factory would be an advantage)

Why Transpower?

People who join us like exciting technical challenges, want to collaborate widely, and be part of making an enduring difference.

Working with over 28 nationalities there is great opportunity to learn from varied experiences and perspectives to find innovative solutions which meet the demands of our constantly evolving sector.

Our people tell us they enjoy our flexible, friendly work environment and the broad range of health and wellness benefits.

We encourage further learning and progression over time.  As an Engineering New Zealand Professional Development Partner, we can support you in moving from Emerging Professional to full Member status.  Proudly, 30% of our roles are filled via lateral or internal promotion.

Next Steps

To join our team and jump-start your Engineering career, please review the position description below and apply without delay!

Role closes Sunday 29 May, however, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and you may be asked to complete a video interview so we can get to know you better.

Reasonable accommodation is available to enable exploratory conversations and/or interview scheduling to suit your individual circumstances.  You must be studying/have studied at a New Zealand University and hold full eligibility to work.