Technical Engineer (Lines)

If you've developed a solid foundation in overhead networks and are ready to build on that knowledge further, this role could be a great next step.

As a Technical Engineer (Lines), you'll get involved in the engineering decisions that support the safety, reliability and future performance of our overhead network from low voltage distribution through to 66 kV assets.

We're not expecting you to arrive knowing everything. Your knowledge could have come from a range of roles across the electricity industry, what matters is that you've built a solid foundation to grow from. What's important is that you understand the fundamentals of overhead networks and you can apply practical thinking to technical problems and have the curiosity to keep learning.

You'll work alongside experienced people who can help you build your knowledge across areas such as engineering standards, asset performance, condition assessment, failure investigations and lifecycle planning.

About us

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

• Use your knowledge to help solve problems and support good engineering decisions

• Get involved in the design, construction, maintenance and improvement of our overhead assets

• Build your knowledge of the standards and practices that guide how our network is managed

• Investigate asset issues and failures, understand what's happened and identify practical improvements

• Use asset information and condition assessments to help us make good maintenance and replacement decisions

• Work alongside our internal teams, contractors, consultants and suppliers to find safe and practical solutions

• Get exposure to new equipment, technology and different ways we can improve our network

About you

• A relevant qualification or practical industry experience that has given you a good foundation with overhead networks, ideally with some mechanical or structural knowledge

• Experience within electricity networks, with some exposure to overhead line design, construction, operation or maintenance

• Exposure to higher-voltage lines, engineering standards, asset condition, failure investigations or lifecycle planning would be an advantage

• The ability to think through problems, ask good questions and use sound judgement

• Confidence working with different people and sharing your thinking

• A naturally curious approach and an interest in understanding not just what we do, but why we do it

• The motivation to keep developing your technical knowledge and take on more as your capability grows

• Knowledge of standards such as AS/NZS 7000 or NZECP 34, and electrical registration, would be an advantage but aren't essential

We offer

At Orion, you'll find that 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

• Five extra days of leave a year - three days of “My Days” leave and two “Orion Days” between Christmas and New Year

• 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.

To apply

We encourage you to be you in your application! We are truly committed to diversity, inclusion and lifting our cultural capability. You don't need to be knowledgeable in these areas, but you do need to be on board with learning.

Please reach out to us with any questions at zoe.dalton@oriongroup.co.nz. We will be screening applications as we receive them to move swiftly to interviews. To learn more about us, check out our careers site to find out more about working Orion.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this job. Pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process.