Senior Geothermal Project Engineer

About Contact Energy and the Role

Contact Energy is New Zealand’s largest renewable electricity generator, focused on advancing the nation's energy future with geothermal, wind, solar, and battery projects. Our geothermal initiatives are central to this mission, encompassing large-scale developments from steamfield infrastructure to power station construction. We collaborate closely with iwi, contractors, local communities, and other partners to ensure our projects bring long-term benefits beyond their immediate scope.

We are seeking a Senior Project Engineer to join our team, playing a critical role in delivering complex geothermal developments and accompanying civil, structural, and mechanical infrastructure. You will engage with the entire project lifecycle—overseeing designs, construction work packages, technical risk management, contractor coordination, and commissioning activities. This dynamic environment values teamwork, problem-solving, and making a meaningful impact on New Zealand's sustainable energy landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage delivery of major geothermal infrastructure projects including steamfield pipelines and power station construction.
• Collaborate with consultants, contractors, and internal teams to ensure robust design, safe execution, and successful commissioning.
• Develop and oversee construction work packages and support onsite teams during implementation.
• Identify and manage technical risks and offer solutions to complex engineering challenges.
• Engage effectively with diverse stakeholders ensuring alignment on safety, quality, budget, and schedule objectives.

Candidate Profile and Requirements

The ideal candidate would hold a relevant engineering qualification, preferably in mechanical or project engineering, with proven experience in complex infrastructure, industrial, energy, or construction projects. Experience spanning design, procurement, construction, or commissioning phases is essential. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are necessary for facilitating collaborative progress in multi-party environments.

Additional preferred skills include familiarity with geothermal, power generation, or renewable energy projects, client-side project engineering experience, commissioning and QA/QC knowledge, and contract management experience. A commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement is vital.

Additional Information and Benefits

As a permanent Contact Energy employee, you gain access to numerous benefits such as exceptional leadership, career development opportunities, free health insurance, enhanced leave entitlements, employee share schemes, wellbeing payments, progressive parental leave policies, product discounts, and more.

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace that supports everyone to thrive. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and emphasize that partial fulfilment of requirements should not discourage applicants with the right passion and attitude.

Note: Only candidates eligible to live and work in New Zealand will be considered.

Applications close at 5 pm on Friday, 9th October.