Senior Concept Engineer

Whakatakoto te tūāpapa – Laying the foundation

At Contact Energy, we’re proud to be kaitiaki of Aotearoa’s energy future. Our generation sites span the motu, harnessing geothermal, hydro, and thermal resources to provide reliable, sustainable energy for communities across New Zealand. We’re committed to innovation and sustainability, ensuring our operations not only meet today’s needs but also protect the environment for generations to come.

Our programmes focus on developing competitive energy solutions and supporting the transition to a low-carbon future. Whether it’s investing in new technologies, optimising existing assets, or partnering with local communities, we’re always looking for ways to add value and create positive impact. Join us and be part of a team that’s shaping the future of energy in Aotearoa.

Te āhua o te tūranga | The nature of the role

Picture yourself at the heart of our Projects and Performance team, where every day brings new opportunities to make a real difference. As a Senior Concept Engineer, you’ll be the first port of call for project opportunities, guiding them from the earliest stages through to concept selection and definition. You’ll work closely with a talented whānau of engineers and project delivery specialists, ensuring that every idea is nurtured and developed into a credible, competitive solution.

This role is all about collaboration, curiosity, and leadership. You’ll help shape the future of our generation and trading business, working alongside stakeholders from across the business, including Engineering Managers, Technical Excellence leads, and Finance. Whether you’re leading the front-end of a project, supporting the transition to execution, or acting as project manager for smaller initiatives, your mahi will enable key decisions that drive value for our portfolio and for Aotearoa.

Ko wai koe | About you

We’re looking for someone who brings both technical expertise and a collaborative spirit. Ideally, you’ll have a bachelor’s degree in Process, Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, and at least 10 years’ experience in the energy, electricity, or utilities sector. Experience in process engineering, project management, or discipline engineering—especially across front-end development, design, and operational stages—will set you up for success. Knowledge of financial modelling and business case development is a must, as is familiarity with modern project management tools and processes.

But it’s not just about the technical skills. We value creative thinkers who are curious, proactive, and eager to challenge the status quo. If you’re someone who builds strong relationships, communicates complex ideas clearly, and enjoys working in diverse teams, we want to hear from you. Experience with late-life or brownfield projects is a bonus, but not essential. If you’re passionate about making a difference and ready to help shape the future of energy in Aotearoa, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique perspective and enthusiasm could be just what our team needs.

This role is a 12 month Parental Leave cover opportunity through to March 2027

There are a bunch perks to being a fixed term Contact kaimahi. Along with great leadership, teammates, development, and growth and progression opportunities a ‘Good to be Home’ annual payment toward your home set up & wellbeing and bi-annual payments towards Contact Energy products, and more!

Applications close 5pm Wednesday the 28th of January

Here at Contact Energy (Te Mata Hiko), we know our strength lies in developing a sense of belonging - one that helps us attract and retain people with a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our customers and communities to help build a better Aotearoa New Zealand.

We have a rich community of talented people that we support to thrive at Contact.

Our inclusive hiring process is designed to embrace the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand, ensuring a wide range of perspectives are included in our decision-making and helping reduce bias along the way.

The wellbeing of our kaimahi is super important to us.

We use employee insights to offer a range of initiatives and resources to support physical, mental, financial and emotional wellbeing – including flexible working arrangements, employee network groups and a market-leading parental leave policy.

At Te Mata Hiko, we want everyone to thrive. We welcome applicants far and wide - of every age, stage, background, and pride. Join us and be part of a team that values your passion and attitude just as much as your experience and skills.

Please note, only candidates with the right to live and work in New Zealand will be considered for this role.

Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet 60% of the criteria, women and those in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they tick every box. We're not about box ticking, so if you think you have what it takes but don't meet everything stated above, please still get in touch. We'd love to kōrero.

Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) does not accept any CVs received from recruitment agencies where a formal engagement has not been confirmed and agreed to with our Talent team. In the event that unsolicited CVs are submitted by recruitment agencies, Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and consider them for current/future vacancies without any financial obligation to the recruitment agency in question. This will also apply to any CVs sent directly to line managers.