Principal Electrical Engineer

Position Overview

This role is for a Principal Electrical Engineer based in Petone, New Zealand, working full time (40 hours per week). The successful candidate will provide senior-level technical leadership and assurance in electrical engineering to support key investment decisions, lead capital projects, and ensure that critical electrical assets are safe, compliant, and reliable throughout their lifecycles. The scope includes planning, design, operations, maintenance, renewals, and continuous improvement of water infrastructure assets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage critical electrical infrastructure initiatives.
• Enhance performance and reliability of key assets.
• Provide expert electrical engineering advice and technical leadership.
• Establish and update electrical engineering standards, specifications, preferred equipment lists, and design methodologies.
• Support lifecycle management, reliability, and performance of essential water services infrastructure.
• Analyze and resolve complex electrical failures, driving sustainable performance upgrades.
• Promote safe engineering protocols and mentor engineering and technical professionals.

Candidate Profile

The ideal applicant will be a seasoned electrical engineer combining deep technical knowledge with practical problem-solving skills and a collaborative leadership approach.

• Possess a degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Hold Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status, be progressing towards accreditation, or possess equivalent professional credentials.
• Have a minimum of 15 years experience in electrical engineering, ideally within sectors like water, wastewater, utilities, infrastructure, or complex industrial environments.
• Demonstrate proven expertise in technical leadership, design review, and assurance for capital projects and operational assets.
• Understand electrical asset management, reliability engineering, renewals, and lifecycle planning comprehensively.
• Skilled in investigating complex electrical failures and creating long-term engineering solutions.
• Familiar with New Zealand electrical standards, legislation, and industry best practices.
• Excellent communication skills capable of clarifying complex technical information.

Company and Benefits

Tiaki Wai is a council-owned organisation managing drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater across Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Wellington. The company focuses on public health, environmental protection, and sustainable regional growth with values centered on integrity, care, and leadership.

• Flexible working options including up to two days per week remote work.
• Comprehensive wellbeing programs including one paid wellbeing day annually.
• Multiple formal and informal professional development opportunities.
• Five weeks annual leave after two years of continuous service.

Additional Information

Candidates must be legally entitled to work long-term in New Zealand or eligible for a working visa. Safety-sensitive role applicants will undergo drug and alcohol testing before starting employment. Applications close on Thursday, 22 October.