Principal Design Engineers

The Roles

At Connetics, Design Engineers are critical to the delivery of innovative, quality electrical designs.

While this role requires solid technical delivery capability from the candidate — it is equally important to step into leadership, grow capability within the team, grow the business and contribute to the development of future engineers.

You'll bring strong technical expertise and confidence in leading / managing design project teams, while also playing a key part in mentoring, guiding, and building out team strength.

This is an opportunity to make your mark by combining design excellence with leadership in an organisation committed to powering a cleaner and brighter future.

Key Responsibilities

As a Principal Design Engineer, you will :

Deliver safe, effective and innovative design solutions from concept to construction

Lead small to medium projects, balancing quality, cost and time outcomes

Build capability in junior engineers through coaching and mentoring

Foster strong relationships with customers and stakeholders to ensure trusted outcomes

Collaborate across disciplines to drive future-focused solutions and continuous improvement

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidates will bring :

Industry recognised experience in electrical design engineering in one or more of the specialised areas (Overhead reticulation up to 110 kV, Underground reticulation, primary substation focus)

Strong project leadership skills and the ability to mentor others

Proven success delivering projects on time and within budget

Excellent communication and collaboration ability

Problem-solving ability by applying innovative approach

Competence in project risk management

Commercial acumen

Diligent quality assurance in line with company certification and client requirements.

Ideally, industry chartership or working towards it

Highly aligned with company values and the ability to influence and lead by example

Industry recognised experience and expertise in their respective field (Primary Design, Secondary Design, Protection, Reticulation, Overhead design to 110kV)

About Connetics

Connetics is a multi-disciplined, multi-regional electrical design, construction, and maintenance business delivering electrical infrastructure assets for customers throughout Aotearoa.

We deliver energy solutions for our communities with depots in Wellington, Westport, Paraparaumu and Christchurch.

We aim to exceed our customers' current and future needs by innovating, designing and delivering electrical projects, proactively harnessing opportunities in the fast-evolving energy landscape.

Connetics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Orion NZ Limited (a Christchurch City Holdings Limited company) which operates within an Orion Group ecosystem as the electricity distribution services unit.

The Orion Group purpose is to power a cleaner and brighter future with our community captures the contribution we want to make to the wellbeing and prosperity of our region.

We are committed to taking a lead in sustainability and delivering innovative future energy services.

The Design and Engineering team's purpose is "We create value through quality engineering solutions enabling our customers to connect people and energy".

Why Join Us?

We offer :

Hybrid working and flexible arrangements

Access to the CCHL Te Whariki mentoring platform

Wellness benefits including health checks, flu vaccinations and counselling

Family events, social club and access to a Hanmer holiday home

How to Apply

If you're a collaborative engineer ready to step up in leadership and help shape the future of energy design, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply with your CV and cover letter via SEEK.

For a confidential discussion, contact Kerry Ellis at

Applications close 23October.

We may progress recruitment earlier depending on applications received.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

If you're curious but not sure you meet every requirement, we'd still like to hear from you.

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