Senior Process Engineer

Company Description

Te Tākinatanga | Our Story  

Contact Energy stands as a beacon of sustainability in Aotearoa, weaving together the power of geothermal and hydroelectric sources to light up our homes and businesses. From the geothermal marvels of the Central North Island to the hydro strength of Clyde and Roxburgh in Central Otago, we harness the natural forces of our whenua to generate electricity. There's also our thermal/peaker plants that keep the lights on when the demand vs supply starts to get a little tight. 

Process engineers are the kaitiaki, or guardians, of these intricate systems, ensuring that every component operates at peak efficiency. They design and optimise the processes that convert our various fuels into reliable electricity. Their expertise in energy conservation and system optimisation is crucial in achieving Contact Energy's ambitious goals. By working closely with project managers and other specialists, process engineers help to innovate and implement cutting-edge technologies, driving the company towards its vision of a decarbonised Aotearoa.

We're looking for a 12 month parental leave cover so would be the ideal opportunity for someone looking to get into the energy sector. 

Job Description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The Opportunity 

The prime function of this role is to apply world class techniques to geothermal generation processes, to maintain efficiency, reduce cost, improve sustainability and maximize profitability. With your strong analytical skills, you'll review information and make data-driven decisions to access geothermal energy sources effectively, transport and convert the energy most efficiently. This is your chance to be part of a team that is at the forefront of sustainable energy in New Zealand, ensuring our whenua's natural resources are harnessed responsibly.

In this role, you'll develop process models of the geothermal energy conversion process, capable of analysing production performance and identifying areas of sub-optimal performance. You'll perform process simulations, recommend improvement actions, and monitor progress. Your keen eye for detail will help assess processes, take measurements, and interpret data to identify underperforming areas or improvement opportunities. You'll design, develop, test, and upgrade systems and processes, working proactively with cross-functional teams to promote a holistic view of geothermal performance. You will prepare business cases and conduct cost-benefit analyses to deliver improvement opportunities. You will champion Process Safety and collaborate with site and Discipline Technical Authorities to manage technical risks.

On occasion, we may require you to provide process engineering support to other generation sites, potentially including travel..

Additionally, you'll keep abreast of new developments in your area of specialisation and mentor graduate and less experienced engineers. Join us and be a part of a team that is driving towards a decarbonised Aotearoa.

Qualifications

Ko wai koe | About You

We are looking for a dynamic and strategic thinker who can influence, lead, and build strong relationships with team members. You should have a proven track record of developing effective working relationships and demonstrating leadership qualities. Your ability to think strategically and develop plans to improve and leverage opportunities will be crucial in driving our business objectives forward.

You will need well-honed research and analytical skills to resolve complex issues and problems effectively. Experience with power station investment, plant optimisation, maintenance, and operational issues is essential. We value individuals who can develop tools for ongoing problem-solving rather than one-off solutions. Setting clear objectives, priorities, and measures, and taking responsibility for your actions to achieve results, is key. Additionally, you should be skilled at communicating complex or technical ideas in simple, clear language so that others can easily understand. If you have these attributes and are ready to make a significant impact, we want to hear from you.

The type of experience you’ll bring to the role

• Degree in Chemical or Process Engineering or equivalent qualifications, preferably with professional registration (e.g. CEng MIChemE or recognised accreditation).

• 10 years’ experience in the power sector, energy, oil and gas or other processing industry.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and influence others.

• Experience and competence in process safety, process operations support, process modelling & analysis, process design, process control, concept development and sustainability.

Additional Information

Tono mai | How to Apply

This is a 12 month parental leave cover

He mea nui ngā paki kōrero ki a mātou i Contact, nā reira, mēnā kei a koe tētehi e hāngai pea ana ki tā mātou e kimi nei i tēnei tūranga kei raro iho nei--kei te hiahia mātou kia whakapā mai ai koe!

We are big on stories here at Contact, so if you have one that you think might align with what we are looking for – we would love to hear from you!

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.