Senior Electrical Engineer

Job Description:

Te Ratonga Whakahaere Paenga | Facilities Management
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous superannuation provisions (up to 6.75% employer contribution)
• Salary $122,330 p.a. - $152,892p.a.
• Permanent / 37.5 hours per week

Are you an experienced Electrical Engineer who thrives on solving complex infrastructure challenges? Do you want to shape the future of energy management while ensuring the safety, resilience and sustainability of a major organisation?

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
The University of Canterbury (UC) is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to provide strategic leadership across our high and low voltage electrical infrastructure while driving the next generation of energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.

This is far more than a traditional engineering role. Our campus operates a significant and complex electrical network with a substantial base load, creating exciting opportunities to rethink how energy is managed, conserved and optimised. You'll play a pivotal role in helping transform our approach to energy usage, identifying smarter ways to improve efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and deliver long-term value.

Working closely with the Facilities Management team, the Energy and Carbon Manager, and specialist contractors, you'll influence major infrastructure decisions, develop long-term asset strategies, oversee technical standards, and ensure our electrical systems remain safe, compliant and resilient.

What you'll be doing

• Lead the strategic management of UC's electrical infrastructure, including high voltage and low voltage networks
• Develop and deliver innovative energy conservation and efficiency initiatives across campus
• Provide expert technical advice on major capital projects, refurbishments and maintenance programmes
• Drive improvements in electrical safety, resilience, compliance and business continuity
• Analyse energy usage and identify opportunities to optimise performance and reduce operating costs
• Influence future infrastructure investment through data-driven engineering solutions.

Mōu | Who You Are
You're an experienced electrical engineering professional with deep technical expertise and a collaborative approach to working with others. While your engineering capability is critical, you're equally comfortable building relationships, influencing stakeholders and explaining complex technical concepts to a broad audience.

You will bring:

• Extensive experience working with complex electrical infrastructure, including high voltage networks
• Strong knowledge of electrical engineering design, asset management and infrastructure planning
• Experience developing practical solutions that improve safety, resilience and operational performance
• A passion for energy efficiency, sustainability and continuous improvement
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience leading projects and providing trusted technical advice
• A degree in Electrical Engineering and CPEng registration (or equivalent)
• An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
The University of Canterbury is unlike any other engineering environment. Our campus is effectively a small city, with diverse facilities, critical research infrastructure and a complex electrical network that presents unique technical challenges every day.

You'll join a knowledgeable, supportive and collaborative Facilities Management team that values innovation and encourages new ideas. There is genuine opportunity to influence how one of New Zealand's leading universities manages its energy future while contributing to safer, smarter and more sustainable infrastructure.

If you're looking for a role where your expertise can shape long-term outcomes and leave a lasting legacy, we'd love to hear from you.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

UC’s Benefits approach is shaped by Ngā Uara | Our Values Whanaungatanga, Tiakitanga, and Manaakitanga. They are designed to be relevant, support and inspire our people, they include:

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• UC Parental Leave (up to 9 weeks paid) + 26 weeks Government paid parental leave and onsite childcare facility
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangements
• professional development and study opportunities
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts including UC RecCentre
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 6 August 2026 (midnight, NZ time)
Please note applications will be reviewed after the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to [email protected]

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency or hold a valid NZ work visa to be considered for this role.

Please note, this is an onsite position.