Principal Protection Engineer

About the Role

Worley is expanding rapidly in New Zealand's power industry, undertaking projects such as utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and solar power installations. The company also provides electrical design services to distribution networks and major industrial clients with substantial electrical demands.

As the Technical Services team grows across New Zealand, with flexible location options, we are seeking a Senior or Principal Protection Engineer to help shape our capabilities and deliver protection engineering solutions for a mix of brownfield and greenfield projects. Protection engineering plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and security of power supply across key transmission and grid-connected initiatives. Our Power team leads advancements in large-scale solar, battery storage, and cutting-edge grid infrastructure, partnering with major electrical distribution firms to upgrade and maintain networks throughout the country.

About Worley

Worley is a global leader in energy, chemicals, and resources sectors, headquartered in Australia. We collaborate with clients to deliver projects and maximize value across their assets' lifecycles. Our expertise spans consulting, engineering, procurement, construction, operations, and decommissioning. Using extensive experience and AI-driven solutions, we assist clients in managing complexity and transitioning towards sustainable outcomes.

Our New Zealand branch employs around 250 professionals supported by a global workforce of nearly 50,000, united by the mission to create a more sustainable world.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor engineering and design teams, fostering technical excellence.
• Promote a culture emphasizing quality and delivering practical engineering solutions correctly on the first attempt.
• Engage in hands-on design tasks while supporting business development and mentoring colleagues.
• Collaborate closely with multiple disciplines across diverse projects, ensuring outstanding delivery in the power sector.
• Design and execute protection and control systems for transmission and distribution networks up to 500kV across Australia and New Zealand.
• Perform protection coordination and wide-area protection studies utilizing tools such as PowerFactory, PSSE, and PSCAD.
• Develop concept, Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), and detailed protection scheme designs.
• Review protection schemes including relay and instrument diagrams, schematics, and protection setting configurations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Extensive experience in protection and primary design projects from initial concepts through construction phases.
• Proven leadership abilities to guide and develop engineering teams.
• Comprehensive knowledge of power network operations and regulatory environments.
• Professional demeanor with capability to represent the company to key stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Progress towards Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) registration in New Zealand, or current registration.
• Deep understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals, particularly protection schemes, power system analysis, and secondary system design.
• Familiarity with relevant standards, statutory regulations, and compliance frameworks.
• Expertise in areas such as:
• High Voltage (HV) Switchyard Secondary Design
• Electrical Protection System Design
• Power System Analysis
• Earthing System Design
• HV/MV Switchboard Secondary Design
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with software applications including PowerFactory and PSCAD; familiarity with ETAP, CYMCAP, and CDEGS is a plus.
• Preferred knowledge of design software like SmartPlant Electrical (SPE), Autodesk Plant 3D, AutoCAD, and Navisworks.
• Construction and commissioning experience is advantageous.
• Strong technical and practical engineering capabilities ensuring delivery of accurate, high-quality, and timely work.
• Background in renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and BESS, and high-voltage electrical systems.
• Multiple years of experience working with protection systems.

Why Join Us

• Competitive remuneration and benefits package.
• Flexible work arrangements fostering work-life balance.
• Paid parental leave initiatives.
• Option to purchase additional leave.
• Supportive local team backed by Worley’s extensive global power expertise network.
• Engage in a wide variety of renewable energy, transmission, distribution, and industrial electrical projects.
• Contribute actively to New Zealand’s movement towards a sustainable energy future.