The company
Passionate, curious, and innovative are a few words that describe our people. We are powering the future, connecting communities, and igniting innovation. Orion owns and operates the electricity distribution network that provides power to central Canterbury. As the third largest electricity distribution network in New Zealand, we cover remote rural areas, regional towns, and the city of Christchurch.
We are an essential service and take our responsibilities seriously. We are community owned and working here means a career with meaning and purpose that makes a difference in your very own neighbourhood.
The role
Due to continued growth, we're looking for an experienced Technical Engineer (Primary) to bring technical leadership and practical expertise to our high-voltage primary systems and substation infrastructure. This is a role where you'll dive into meaningful work that directly supports the reliability and future performance of our network. You'll combine hands-on problem-solving with long-term thinking around how we maintain, improve and evolve critical network assets.
You'll be involved in everything from investigating equipment performance and supporting engineering standards through to exploring new technologies and providing trusted technical guidance across maintenance and construction activities. Working closely with suppliers, contractors, consultants, and operational teams, you'll help keep our network operating safely, efficiently, and reliably for the communities we serve.
Provide technical leadership across our primary systems and HV infrastructure
Develop engineering standards, specifications, and technical guidance for the network
Investigate equipment failures, performance issues, and reliability risks to support asset performance and lifecycle outcomes
Support maintenance, replacement, improvement programmes, and the integration of new technologies and equipment solutions
Deliver technical training, support continuous improvement initiatives, and provide technical input into regulatory and industry matters
Work closely with contractors, suppliers, and service providers, including leading factory acceptance testing (FAT) activities
About you
Extensive experience within electricity distribution or similar asset-intensive environments
NZDE Level 6 qualification or equivalent practical experience, with NZ electrical registration and a current practising licence advantageous
Strong technical knowledge of primary systems and substation infrastructure across LV to 66kV networks
A solid understanding of engineering standards, regulations, and industry requirements
Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management skills
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and adaptable approach to changing operational challenges
What they offer
You'll find at Orion, you can come as you are and just be you. You will be joining a workplace that values who you are, the work you do, and the way you think.
Importantly, we offer:
Flexible working arrangements, and flexible locations with our Head office in Burnside and satellite offices in Rolleston and Ferrymead
Three days of “My Days” leave
A broad range of workplace benefits from a wellbeing allowance to access to our holiday house in Hanmer!
You might be surprised to find out that the company that brings the power to your home is innovative, inclusive, progressive, and quite good fun.