Principal Secondary Engineer

About the role

Jacobs is looking for an experienced Secondary Engineer at Principal, Lead, or Senior level to join its New Zealand team. The position supports a varied client base, including utilities, developers, independent power producers, industrial sites, and government organisations. The work focuses on helping these customers address the challenges of modern power systems and contribute to a shift toward stronger, more sustainable energy infrastructure. Applicants who want career progression and a fresh challenge are encouraged to consider the role.

Key responsibilities

• Create and review secondary system designs for distribution and transmission networks from 22kV up to 220kV.
• Produce detailed secondary engineering documentation such as control and relay panel layouts, schematics, ODJB documentation, drawings, block diagrams, and bills of materials.
• Coordinate and lead multidisciplinary projects while keeping delivery on schedule and within budget.
• Guide and mentor engineers to strengthen capability within the Substation Engineering team.
• Work closely with clients as a reliable technical advisor and help support business development across different regions.

What you need

The successful candidate should bring strong experience in high-voltage secondary electrical engineering. Hands-on knowledge of relay software such as Enervista, PCM600, and Digsi, along with CAD tools like MicroStation and AutoCAD, is important. Good communication skills are needed to collaborate across multiple geographies. A commitment to keeping up with industry changes and technical improvements is also expected. Current CPEng and CMEngNZ registrations are required.

Ways of working and culture

Jacobs promotes a flexible and safety-focused working style, offering support and room to do your best work. The company provides flexible working arrangements, wellbeing support, and opportunities to contribute through global giving and volunteering initiatives. It also places strong emphasis on inclusion, belonging, and diverse perspectives, supported by employee networks, communities of practice, and other initiatives that help employees connect and grow.

Employee benefits

The benefits package includes support across all stages of life. Examples mentioned include paid parental leave, a lifetime financial allowance for you and your partner to access fertility and IVF treatment, adoption and surrogacy support, and menopause and Low T treatment. A broad range of wellbeing resources is also provided to support physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. The company notes recognition for gender equality and LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.

Cultural support

Māori and Pasifika candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Cultural safety is intended to be provided during interviews, and Māori and Pasifika applicants may nominate a whānau member, family member, or cultural representative to join the interview panel by informing the recruiter in their application.

Hybrid working and recruitment support

The role follows a hybrid working approach, with employees splitting their time between Jacobs offices or project locations and remote work. The company also says it will adapt the recruitment process where possible and asks candidates who need reasonable adjustments or a different application format to contact the Careers Support team.