Senior Engineer - Transmission System Planning

Our core purpose isto empower the energy future for New Zealand- a future that delivers a net-zero carbon economy and a reliable and secure electricity system.

About the team

The System Planning group, a division within Transpower's Grid Development department, is instrumental in influencing the direction of New Zealand's electricity transmission network. We're the driving force behind the Transmission Planning Report and lead the delivery of major capital investments, regional development strategies, improvement initiatives, and customer connection projects.

Currently, we are progressing with multiple innovative initiatives to improve transmission capability in vital expansion areas such as Auckland, Waikato, Canterbury, Tauranga, and Queenstown. Our work ensures the grid keeps pace with demand, supports decarbonisation, and enables seamless integration of new generation and load. Whether it's connecting a new wind farm or reinforcing urban supply, we're building the backbone of a resilient, future-ready power system.

Examples of the System Planning team's work follow below!

• Waikato and Upper North Island (WUNI) Upgrades | Transpower Since 2012, over 1000 MW of generation has retired, increasing voltage instability risks. The team develops investment options and conducts system analysis to enhance transmission into WUNI, including thermal, voltage stability, and dynamic recovery limits. Innovations include series capacitors on the Brownhill-Whakamaru line—new to the country—requiring detailed sub-synchronous oscillation studies.
• Central North Island 220 kV Capacity Project | Transpower Upgrading Bunnythorpe-Whakamaru lines to meet rising demand from EVs and industry electrification. Approved under the Net Zero Grid Pathways, the team led the development of transmission upgrade options which included, system reconfigurations, special protection schemes, thermal upgrade and reconductoring of existing lines. Our studies included assessing dynamic voltage recovery stability and power swing blocking requirements to ensure grid stability during higher power transfers across the two regions.
• Upper South Island upgrade project | Transpower The region relies on long-distance transmission from Waitaki Valley. Stage 1 (2014) delivered a bus upgrade at Islington and secured switching station sites at Orari and Rangitata. Stage 2 proposes a $193M investment to meet future demand. The team led option development which includes thermal and voltage stability analysis and designed configurations for the new switching stations. When delivery begins, System Planning will specify reactive equipment and study construction sequencing to maintain supply security.

Join us in Wellington or Auckland

Lead advanced connection studies, build the future of Transpower's transmission grid in New Zealand by improving connection study procedures.

Working closely with the System Operator, customers, and teams across Transpower, you'll identify system needs, lead power system analysis, and develop transmission plans that support our country's electrification goals.

You’ll also lead studies for new customer connections, ensuring Code compliance and alignment with technical requirements while balancing system performance, reliability, and cost to bring value for electricity consumers.

Spearhead groundbreaking decarbonization efforts with forward-looking strategies — from integrating offshore wind and large-scale data centres to driving decarbonisation through future-focused planning. Your technical expertise and commercial insight will help shape robust, strategic outcomes that make a real difference.

Collaborate across teams and with external partners, translating complex technical concepts for diverse audiences including project teams, regulators, industry groups, and service providers. We've already highlighted some of the meaningful work our team is involved in — imagine applying your skills and expertise to those projects and adding those achievements to your resume!

What will you bring?

We're seeking a Senior Transmission System Planning Engineer who thrives on solving sophisticated challenges in the transmission network and generation integration space. You'll be someone who doesn't just follow textbook methods—but questions, innovates, and finds the most effective path forward.

You enjoy the challenge of untangling complex technical issues and thrive on finding practical, real-world solutions. You're not just technically capable—you're a problem solver who is curious, persistent, and creative in your approach.

Your CV and cover letter will clearly demonstrate :

• Grid Connection Study Expertise : Ideally in planning and conducting (New) Grid Connection Studies, especially for inverter based resource (IBR) integration. You may have completed generator / network modelling, load flow studies, short circuit studies, RMS and EMT simulations—and know how to tailor your approach to the problem at hand.
• Transmission System Planning Expertise : you can demonstrate experience in conducting steady state and dynamic analysis to identify transmission system constraints and investigating upgrade options to resolve these needs to meet your local network and regulatory requirements.
• Outstanding communication skills : You translate complex engineering into clear, confident insights for everyone—from technical teams to senior leaders—especially when it matters most.
• Tools : You have hands‑on experience with industry‑standard tools such as DigSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD, and PSSE. You know how to employ these tools to uncover insights and drive decisions.
• Industry Knowledge : Solid understanding of electricity market operations and regulatory frameworks, including the Electricity Industry Participation Code or your local equivalent regulation(s). You know how technical decisions intersect with commercial and regulatory realities.

Bonus Skills (Highly Valued) :

• Python Scripting : Ability to automate and enhance Load Flow Modelling and Power System Analysis workflows using Python—bringing efficiency and flexibility to your analysis.
• Commercial Savvy : Experience in economic assessments of investment options. You understand the business drivers behind engineering decisions and can balance technical difficulty with commercial outcomes.

If you have some, but not all the tried experience, we would still like to hear from you as we may be open to supporting you to learn and deepen your experience in Transmission System / Network Planning

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 - every day and long into the future.

With over 28 nationalities, our people provide diverse perspectives, knowledge, and deep and varied experience which they love to share and which we celebrate.

We work in the office or on-site for a minimum of three days each week, which helps us build and maintain relationships, support learning, deliver outcomes, and sustain our culture. This approach also offers staff the flexibility they need for both work and personal commitments, with adaptable daily start and finish times.

Your wellbeing is prioritised with a range of employee health and wellness benefits -check them out here .

Next steps

Ready to take charge, encourage, and shape the future of the grid? Check out the position description and apply today. You could start your new role now or in early 2026 by mutual agreement!

Role closes Wednesday 29 th October ;however, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and you may be contacted prior to the close date for an initial exploratory conversation to facilitate shortlisting or to arrange an interview.

Existing eligibility to work in New Zealand is preferred.

Interested in knowing more, and seeing our Wellington head office?Watch a brief videohere

In a grid emergency please call 0800 THE GRID.

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