Principal Protection Engineer
New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand · Full Time
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- Experience
- Any
- Salary
- —
- Openings
- 1
- Posted
- 9 hours ago
- Work mode
- In office
- Education
- Bachelor of Electrical Engineering or equivalent
- Resume
- Required to apply
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Job description
About the Role
Worley is experiencing significant expansion within New Zealand's power sector, working on projects such as utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), solar energy developments, and providing electrical design services for distribution and industrial clients with large power demands. The Technical Services team is growing nationwide and is seeking a Senior or Principal Protection Engineer to enhance our capabilities and deliver protection engineering services for various brownfield and greenfield projects. Protection engineering is essential to safeguarding New Zealand's energy infrastructure by ensuring safety, reliability, and supply security across major transmission and grid-connected installations. Our Power team advances New Zealand’s energy transition by executing large-scale solar, battery storage, and advanced grid infrastructure projects while partnering with Electrical Distribution Businesses to upgrade and maintain networks.
Company Overview
Worley is a global expert company specializing in energy, chemicals, and resources, headquartered in Australia. We collaborate with clients to deliver project solutions and maximize asset value throughout their lifecycle. Our core services span consulting, engineering, procurement, construction, operations, and decommissioning. Leveraging deep expertise and AI-assisted delivery, we assist customers in navigating complex challenges and transitioning towards sustainable energy practices. Our New Zealand team comprises about 250 professionals supported by nearly 50,000 worldwide, all united by the mission of building a more sustainable world.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and mentoring to engineering and design teams.
- Promote a culture focused on quality and practical engineering solutions from the start.
- Contribute hands-on design expertise, business development, and mentorship.
- Collaborate across disciplines to ensure excellence in project delivery across the power sector.
- Design and implement protection and control systems for transmission and distribution networks up to 500kV.
- Perform protection coordination and wide-area protection studies using software such as PowerFactory, PSSE, and PSCAD.
- Develop concept, FEED, and detailed designs for protection schemes.
- Review protection scheme documentation, including relay and instrument diagrams, schematics, and protection settings.
Required Qualifications and Skills
- Extensive experience in protection and primary electrical design from concept through construction phases.
- Proven ability to lead and mentor engineering teams effectively.
- Strong knowledge of power networks and relevant regulatory frameworks.
- Professional demeanor with capability to represent the company to key clients.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent qualification.
- Progression towards Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) registration in New Zealand or current registration.
- Deep expertise in electrical engineering principles focused on protection schemes, power system analyses, and secondary design.
- Familiarity with applicable standards, statutory regulations, and industry codes.
- Proficiencies in areas such as HV switchyard secondary design, electrical protection design, power system analysis, earthing design, and HV/MV switchboard secondary design.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Experience with PowerFactory and PSCAD is essential; familiarity with ETAP, CYMCAP, and CDEGS is advantageous.
- Preferably skilled in SmartPlant Electrical (SPE), Autodesk Plant 3D, AutoCAD, Navisworks, or similar design software.
- Construction and commissioning experience is an asset.
- Demonstrated practical engineering skills with a consistent record of high-quality, precise, and timely delivery.
- Experience working on renewable projects including solar, wind, BESS, and high-voltage electrical systems.
Why Work With Us
- Competitive compensation package.
- Flexible working arrangements promoting work-life balance.
- Paid parental leave benefits.
- Option to purchase additional leave.
- Supportive work environment with access to local teams and Worley's global power specialists network.
- Opportunity to engage in a wide variety of renewable energy, transmission, distribution, and industrial power projects.
- Contribute directly to New Zealand’s sustainable energy future transition.