Graduate National Grid Asset Engineers (Electrical) (Feb 2024)

2024 National Grid Asset Engineers (Electrical)

• Fast track your professional career with Aotearoa's Grid Owner and Operator
• Get outdoors and see Transpower substations and sites across the country
• Bring your focus and passion for enabling a more sustainable energy future

Take your place at the heart of the electricity sector. Nationally critical infrastructure could be Powered by You!

Transpower owns and operates New Zealand's National Grid - the unique High Voltage transmission network. We have more than 11,000km of Transmission lines crossing mountain passes, forests, farmland, and open sea, bringing electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed most.

With a whole-of-industry view of the electricity sector, we are at the forefront of the electrification and expansion of infrastructure New Zealand needs for a zero-carbon future.

Our Graduate Programme

Commencing our programme in February 2024, you’ll be part of a cohort of 30 Engineering Graduates with various majors. You’ll be supported to grow both your technical and soft skills on the job and put theory and first principles into practice while doing important work. You’ll build relationships with a variety of different teams over your two-year rotational placement plan. 

About the Opportunity – based in Wellington

You'll gain 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.

Coaching and mentoring will be provided from internationally experienced technical experts to build your knowledge of the Grid and Power System. You’ll experience real work from day one, and whilst based at our head office in Wellington, company funded travel will enable you to visit some spectacular areas of Aotearoa, where our assets are based.

At the conclusion of the graduate programme, you will be able to further your career in several fields, including Protection and Automation Engineering or HVDC and Power Electronics. Our Engineers contribute to ensuring a safe and reliable grid and exciting projects, so you’ll be involved in

• Substation design, and delivery; working 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 High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link, and power electronics assets (Static Synchronous Compensators, Static Var Compensators), Synchronous Condensers, and Regional Power Controllers

Working across the business you’ll 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 customer needs. Ultimately, we’ll help you to explore where and how you wish to shape your career with us.

What will you bring?

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, and active listening.

By December 2023 you’ll hold a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Electrical or other relevant discipline e.g., Mechatronics with a B+ average or GPA of 5.5, or you may be completing your master's or further study in a relevant field.

Sound analytical and problem-solving skills will support your love of a challenge, and detail-orientated work/study, however you'll also be broad minded, with curiosity about the future of energy. 

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 PowerFactory would be an advantage)

Join us at Transpower

Aotearoa is powered by the people who work here. Every home, every marae, every electric vehicle, 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, the planet, and the economy.

With over 28 nationalities, our people provide diverse perspectives, knowledge, and deep and varied experience which they love to share. Our environment is family friendly with the option to work from home two days per week. Wellbeing is supported with a range of employee health and wellness benefits - check them out here https://www.transpower.co.nz/careers/working-transpower and learning, professional development, and career progression over time. 30% of our roles are filled via lateral or internal promotion!

As an Engineering New Zealand Professional Development Partner, we can support you to move from Emerging Professional to full Member status. 

When Transpower is your mahi, Aotearoa is powered by you.

To kick start your career in an encouraging team environment, please review the position description below or via our website and apply without delay.

You must hold full eligibility to work and be studying/have studied at a New Zealand University.