Protection Engineer (Intermediate to Senior or Principal)

Job description

Overview

Protection Engineer (Intermediate to Senior or Principal)

Shape the Future of Power Protection with Niko Engineering.

At Niko Engineering, we take immense pride in delivering exceptional specialist services to clients across power transmission, generation, distribution, and protection.

Our reputation as a trusted consultant has earned us the privilege of working with leading industry players such as Transpower, Mercury, Genesis, Meridian, and Eastland Generation.

The Opportunity: Specialist Protection Engineer – Intermediate to Principal

We are currently seeking a highly skilled engineer who has a passion for protection and an eye for detail.

The ideal candidate would be Senior or Principal level in protection settings design.

Consideration will be given to candidates who are well rounded in other areas of power engineering in a New Zealand context but not yet at senior level in protection.

In this role, you will play a pivotal part in enhancing our technical capabilities and expertise in power system protection, while also contributing to the development of new business opportunities within the New Zealand and Australian markets.

Your role will involve providing protection engineering design support directly to our external clients, through new and modified protection schemes, and as part of larger multidiscipline teams delivering major projects.

This includes an opportunity to lead and mentor less experienced engineers, sharing your knowledge while continuing to develop your own protection competencies.

Depending on your level of experience you can expect to create designs and settings for line protection, transformer protection, bus zones, special protection schemes, and wide area studies – all the complex stuff you have trained for.

Please note this is a technical role.

Though we do provide opportunities in management and leadership we are really looking for someone with the technical skills and desire to perform at the highest technical level.

This is a full-time, salaried position working 40 hours per week.

Niko Engineering Limited offer a competitive salary dependent on experience and position.

This role can be based either in our Christchurch, Hamilton, or Auckland (senior or principal roles only) offices.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop protection philosophies, concepts, and relay and instrument diagrams.
  
  
• Investigate power system faults and conduct computer modelling and fault studies.
  
  
• Develop detailed designs for power systems’ secondary systems.
  
  
• Perform protection relay setting calculations, reviews, and coordination.
  
  
• Configure protection relays and prepare associated documentation.
  
  
• Conduct site inspections and support test technicians in protection testing and commissioning.
  
  
• Prepare technical reports and proposals for protection projects.
  
  
• Carry out Quality Assurance reviews of work completed by other Protection Engineers.
  
  
• Provide coaching and guidance to less experienced protection engineers and other specialists.
  
  

Why Join Niko Engineering?

At Niko, we offer more than just a competitive salary and benefits like mobile phone accounts and complimentary medical insurance.

Our unique company structure ensures that your compensation reflects both your contributions and experience, with the potential to transition to a chargeable hours scheme that rewards high performance with increased earnings and flexibility.

Many of our technical staff are also shareholders, with ownership opportunities based on merit rather than tenure, giving you the chance to quickly become an owner in our successful business.

We are committed to providing an environment that fosters professional growth, mentorship, and a healthy work-life balance.

Our team of experts is dedicated to delivering quality work while offering enriching opportunities that allow you to thrive.

If you’re passionate about power systems protection and align with our values, we encourage you to apply and power your career with Niko Engineering Limited.

Your Qualifications and Experience

• Depending on your experience and competence, the role could be Intermediate, Senior (8+ years’ experience in power systems protection) or Principal level: (10+ years’ experience in power systems protection).
  
  We note that not all experience is equal, so you will be placed at a grade that recognises your experience across multiple disciplines, giving you the bandwidth to learn from and mentor other similar engineers.
  
  
• Tertiary qualification, ideally a BE(Electrical) or equivalent, though significant industry experience is also highly valued.
  
  
• Theoretical (to advanced) theoretical understanding of power systems and protection.
  
  
• Extensive experience in power system computer modelling and fault studies (preferably with DigSilent PowerFactory) is highly regarded.
  
  
• Familiarity with New Zealand utility standards and systems, as well as IEC61850 and DNP3 for SCADA mapping.
  
  
• Strong knowledge of installation design for protection systems and protection relay setting calculations.
  
  
• Proficiency in the configuration of numerical relays and the preparation of technical reports.
  
  
• Competence at report writing using the Microsoft 365 suite, and the ability to explain technical elements of the work, both in writing and verbally.
  
  
• You should either be registered as a Chartered Engineer or be underway working towards this.
  
  

We are specialist engineering consultants to the electric power industry.

Required Skill Profession

Software Architecture & Engineering