We’re excited to announce that we’re working with a New Zealand recruitment firm to find candidates for five job openings at a leading New Zealand engineering consultancy in the power industry.

These candidates must meet the job requirements and New Zealand’s work visa requirements.

The openings are for the following jobs:

1. Principal/Senior Communications & Control Engineer
2. Principal/Senior Primary Design Engineer
3. Senior Protection and Secondary Design Engineer
4. Power System Analysis (PSA) Engineer
5. Senior Power System Analysis (PSA) Engineer

Keep on reading for the description and requirements of each role.

If you’re interested in a position, please book a consultation call with our licensed advisor Katrin Maja O’Flynn. Katrin will talk you through the immigration assessment process and explain the way forward.

1. Principal/Senior Communications & Control Engineer

The Principal/Senior Communications & Control Engineer uses their specialist knowledge to design and deliver solutions and provide technical guidance to others.

Commercial responsibilities involve quoting, planning, and managing projects, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget and to the agreed standards of quality.

Required Experience:

Ten years of industry experience, preferably with engineering consultancy experience.

Responsibilities:

The technical activities carried out by the Communications & Control Engineer are likely to include:

• Project evaluation, scoping, specification and quoting
• Research, design, solutions development, feasibility study and assessment
• Research, strategy development and creation of technology roadmaps, as they apply to the power industry
• Engineering of solutions for telecommunication and IT aspects within the power industry, including:
  • Fiber optic networks
  • Radio network design for point-to-point and multipoint applications
  • Mobile radio and telemetry solutions
  • AC reticulation and DC system design
  • Earthing and lightning protection
  • Cabling networks
  • CCTV and security system
  • Synchronisation and timing techniques
  • SCADA systems, processes, architecture and protocols
  • LAN, WAN, internetworking and development of IP topology and architectures, substation hardened networking and industrial networking solutions
  • Digital power line carrier
  • Communication solutions for protection signalling service requirements
• Definition and design of architecture for multi-layered service-oriented networked solutions, applicable to critical infrastructure
• Awareness and familiarity with cyber security methodologies, architectures, standards and industry best practices applicable to the power industry
• Familiarity with products and FCAPS techniques, applied to NMS and OSS infrastructure requirements
• An awareness and knowledge of IoT, data analytics and their application to the power industry

The project management and commercial aspects of the work involve:

• Managing projects and attending regular meetings, to discuss the best way to move projects forward
• Participating in conference calls and meetings, to discuss products, action plans and team performance
• Attending briefings on new networks and new products
• Managing resources, including budgets, physical resources and project members
• Preparing high-quality written reports and presentations, for management and customer review
• Identifying business development opportunities and assisting in tendering, quoting and customer development
• Ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed standards of quality

Key Result Areas:

• Technical quality of design deliverables
• Project performance: Time and budget
• Engineering design and judgement
• Project performance: Client expectations

Key Skills and Personal Qualities:

• Technical ability and knowledge
• A very good understanding of protection and secondary design
• Organisational skills
• Adaptability and the ability to learn new skills quickly
• Good presentation and communication skills
• Skilled technical authoring and a good aptitude for report writing
• The ability to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision
• The capability to concentrate under pressure, to meet tight deadlines
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Business/commercial awareness
• The ability to work well within a team and individually
• The ability to innovate and identify both business and technical opportunities, while carrying out day-to-day duties
• Excellent project and people management skills

2. Principal/Senior Primary Design Engineer

The Primary Design Engineer shall demonstrate experience and sound judgement in both commercial and technical responsibilities.

The technical aspect of the role includes using specialist knowledge to design and deliver solutions, as well as providing technical guidance to other markets and teams.

Commercial responsibilities involve quoting, planning and managing projects, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget and to the agreed standards of quality.

Required Experience:

Candidates shall either have at least ten years of experience (Principal) or at least six years of experience (Senior) working in primary design, preferably in New Zealand or Australia.

Alternatively, candidates may demonstrate suitable experience from an equivalent utility sector overseas.

Previous experience in a design consultancy is also an advantage.

Responsibilities:

The technical activities carried out by the Primary Design Engineer are likely to include:

• Acting as the lead designer for primary aspects of a huge variety of projects
• Liaising with civil/structural resources, suppliers and subcontractors, to deliver the design required for our extensive range of clients
• Travelling to meet suppliers, customers and colleagues
• Negotiating project scope, product and technical solution requirements with customers
• Providing technical guidance to colleagues, junior engineers and other teams
• Attending conferences and seminars, to network and keep up to date with the latest developments in the sector
• Liaising with internal and external customers
• Working to tight timescales, as part of a high-performing team
• Arranging process meetings
• Rewriting or modifying processes, to ensure that all aspects of the service run smoothly and to schedule
• Technical writing and authoring of comprehensive reports for a variety of audiences and topics, including technical solutions, strategic papers, concept/detailed design reports, technical roadmaps, asset plans and briefing papers

The commercial aspects of the work involve:

• Managing projects and attending regular meetings, to discuss the best way to move projects forward
• Taking financial and commercial ownership of all project aspects allocated to you
• Participating in conference calls and meetings, to discuss products, action plans and team performance
• Attending briefings on new networks and new products
• Managing resources, including budgets, physical resources and project members
• Preparing high-quality written reports and presentations, for management and customer review
• Identifying business development opportunities and assisting in tendering, quoting and customer development
• Ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed standards of quality

Key Skills and Personal Qualities:

You will need to show:

• Technical ability and knowledge
• An excellent understanding of primary electrical design
• Organisational skills
• Adaptability and the ability to learn new skills quickly
• Good presentation and communication skills
• Skilled technical authoring and a good aptitude for report writing
• The ability to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision
• The capability to concentrate under pressure, to meet tight deadlines
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Business/commercial awareness
• The ability to work well within a team and individually
• The ability to innovate and identify both business and technical opportunities, while carrying out day-to-day duties
• Excellent project and people management skills.

3. Senior Protection and Secondary Design Engineer

The Senior Protection and Secondary Design Engineer shall demonstrate experience and sound judgement, in both commercial and technical responsibilities.

The technical aspect of the role includes using specialist knowledge to design and deliver solutions and providing technical guidance to others.

Commercial responsibilities involve quoting, planning and managing projects, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget and to the agreed standards of quality.

Required Experience:

Candidates shall have at least six years of experience working in protection and secondary systems design, preferably in New Zealand or Australia.

Alternatively, candidates may demonstrate suitable experience from an equivalent utility sector overseas.

Previous experience in a design consultancy and/or New Zealand distribution company is also an advantage.

Responsibilities:

The technical activities carried out by the Protection and Secondary Design Engineer are likely to include:

• Travelling to meet suppliers, customers and colleagues, based in other offices
• Negotiating project scope, product and technical solution requirements with customers
• Providing technical guidance to colleagues and other teams
• Attending conferences and seminars, to network and keep up to date with the latest developments in the sector
• Liaising with internal and external customers
• Analysing and interpreting data, to refine and improve power systems performance
• Working to tight timescales, as part of a high-performing team
• Arranging process meeting
• Rewriting or modifying processes, to ensure that all aspects of the service run smoothly and to schedule
• Technical writing and authoring of comprehensive reports, for a variety of audiences and topics, including technical solutions, strategic papers, concept/detailed design reports, technical roadmaps, asset plans and briefing papers

The commercial aspects of the work involve:

• Managing projects and attending regular meetings, to discuss the best way to move projects forward
• Participating in conference calls and meetings, to discuss products, action plans and team performance
• Attending briefings on new networks and new products
• Managing resources, including budgets, physical resources and project members
• Preparing high-quality written reports and presentations, for management and customer review
• Identifying business development opportunities and assisting in tendering, quoting and customer development
• Ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed standards of quality

Key Skills and Personal Qualities:

You will need to show:

• Technical ability and knowledge
• A very good understanding of protection and secondary design
• Organisational skills
• Adaptability and the ability to learn new skills quickly
• Good presentation and communication skills
• Skilled technical authoring and a good aptitude for report writing
• The ability to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision
• The capability to concentrate under pressure, to meet tight deadlines
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Business/commercial awareness
• The ability to work well within a team and individually
• The ability to innovate and identify both business and technical opportunities, while carrying out day-to-day duties
• Excellent project and people management skills

4. Power System Analysis (PSA) Engineer

The Power System Analysis (PSA) Engineer shall assist with analysis work underpinning generator connections. The role includes but is not limited to the following tasks:

• Project evaluation, scoping, specification and quoting
• Engineering of solutions for generation aspects of the power system
• Modelling and analysis of the power system, with knowledge of the following techniques:
  • Load-flow and short circuit assessment
  • Analytic techniques, including PV and QV analysis, for determination of power system limits
  • Dynamic RMS simulations, for transient and voltage stability
  • Generator control systems modelling, including AVR, PSS, OEL, UEL and speed governors
  • Knowledge of scripting techniques (for instance, Python), within industry standard tools, such as PSS/E and PowerFactory, would be an advantage
  • Experience in the use of Siemens PSS/E and DIgSILENT PowerFactory, to undertake system studies, would be highly advantageous
• Communicating results and solutions to our clients

Work experience:

Candidates shall have at least five years’ experience working in the power systems sector, preferably in New Zealand or Australia.

Alternatively, candidates may demonstrate suitable experience from an equivalent utility sector overseas.

Responsibilities:

The technical activities carried out by the Power Systems Analysis Engineer are likely to include:

• Travelling to meet suppliers, customers and colleagues, based in other offices around New Zealand and Australia
• Providing technical guidance to colleagues and other teams
• Liaising with internal and external customers
• Analysing and interpreting data, to refine and improve power systems performance
• Working to tight timescales, as part of a high-performing team
• Technical writing and authoring of comprehensive reports in English, for a variety of audiences and topics, including technical solutions, strategic papers, and concept/detailed design reports.

The management aspects of the work involve:

• Managing projects and attending regular meetings, to discuss the best way to move projects forward
• Participating in conference calls and meetings, to discuss products, action plans and team performance
• Managing resources, including budgets, physical resources and project members;
• Identifying business development opportunities and assisting in tendering, quoting and customer development
• Ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed standards of quality

Key Skills and Personal Qualities:

You will need to show:

• Technical ability and knowledge
• A good understanding of power systems analysis techniques, using a range of industry-standard tools
• Experience with power system analysis tools, such as DIgSILENT PowerFactory and PSS/E
• Organisational skills
• Adaptability and the ability to learn new skills quickly
• Good presentation and communication skills
• Skilled technical authoring and a good aptitude for report writing
• The ability to work efficiently and effectively, with minimal supervision
• The capability to concentrate under pressure, to meet tight deadlines
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Business/commercial awareness
• The ability to work well within a team and individually
• An ability to innovate and identify both business and technical opportunities, while carrying out day-to-day duties

5. Senior Power System Analysis (PSA) Engineer

The Senior Power System Analysis Engineer role includes but is not limited to the following tasks:

• Project evaluation, scoping, specification and quoting
• Engineering of solutions for generation aspects of the power system
• Modelling and analysis of the power system, with knowledge of the following techniques:
  • Load-flow and short circuit assessment
  • Analytic techniques, including PV and QV analysis, for determination of power system limits
  • Dynamic RMS simulations, for transient and voltage stability
  • Generator control systems modelling, including AVR, PSS, OEL, UEL and speed governors
  • Knowledge of scripting techniques (for instance, Python), within industry standard tools, such as PSS/E and PowerFactory, would be an advantage
  • Experience in the use of Siemens PSS/E and DIgSILENT PowerFactory, to undertake system studies, would be highly advantageous
• Communicating results and solutions to our clients

Work experience:

Candidates shall have at least six years of experience working in the power systems sector, preferably in New Zealand or Australia.

Alternatively, candidates may demonstrate suitable experience from an equivalent utility sector overseas.

Responsibilities:

The technical activities carried out by the Senior Power Systems Analysis Engineer are likely to include:

• Travelling to meet suppliers, customers and colleagues, based in other offices around New Zealand and Australia
• Providing technical guidance to colleagues and other teams
• Liaising with internal and external customers
• Analysing and interpreting data, to refine and improve power systems performance
• Working to tight timescales, as part of a high-performing team
• Technical writing and authoring of comprehensive reports in English, for a variety of audiences and topics, including technical solutions, strategic papers, concept/detailed design reports

The management aspects of the work involve:

• Managing projects and attending regular meetings, to discuss the best way to move projects forward
• Participating in conference calls and meetings, to discuss products, action plans and team performance
• Managing resources, including budgets, physical resources and project members
• Identifying business development opportunities and assisting in tendering, quoting and customer development
• Ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed standards of quality

Key Skills and Personal Qualities:

You will need to show:

• Expert level knowledge of PSS/E and PSCAD software tools, including advanced automation techniques using Python
• In-depth knowledge of the Australian National Electricity Rules (NER) S5.2.5
• Prior experience with generator connection studies in the National Electricity Market (NEM), including preparation of documentation
• Technical ability and knowledge
• A good understanding of power systems analysis techniques, using a range of industry-standard tools
• Experience with power system analysis tools, such as DIgSILENT and PowerFactory
• Organisational skills
• Adaptability and the ability to learn new skills quickly
• Good presentation and communication skills
• Skilled technical authoring and a good aptitude for report writing
• The ability to work efficiently and effectively, with minimal supervision
• The capability to concentrate under pressure, to meet tight deadlines
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Business/commercial awareness
• The ability to work well within a team and individually
• An ability to innovate and identify both business and technical opportunities, while carrying out day-to-day duties

Don’t forget to book your consultation call!

To learn more and to find out if you qualify for a New Zealand work visa, book a consultation call with our licensed advisor.

Please use the I have a job offer for New Zealand – Consultation option on her Calendly.

Our advisor will assess your eligibility to apply for a New Zealand work visa, talk you through your visa options, and explain how the process works. Our consultation calls are 30 minutes, and it’s a once-off 49€ fee.

Our team looks forward to hearing from you!

New Zealand is introducing the new Accredited Employer Work Visa on 4 July 2022.

With this visa, Immigration New Zealand is streamlining the immigration process while also addressing skills shortages in the country.

Here’s everything you should know:

1. The Accredited Employer Work Visa streamlines the immigration system

New Zealand is excited about its “rebalanced immigration system” that’ll incentivise and attract highly skilled migrants while simplifying the immigration processes for businesses.

At the centre of this rebalanced immigration system is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). The AEWV streamlines the system by replacing six work visas that were previously available:

• Essential Skills Work Visa
• Essential Skills Work Visa — Approved in principle
• Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa,
• Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
• Silver Fern Job Search Visa (closed to new applications on 7 October 2019)
• Silver Fern Practical Experience Visa

There is no need to panic if you live and work in New Zealand on any of these visas. You can continue doing so until your visa expires or you no longer meet its conditions.

If you want to live and work in New Zealand after your visa expires, you may apply for the AEWV if you meet the requirements. If you don’t, you’ll have to explore other visa options.

2. There is a new Green List of occupations under the AEWV

Immigration New Zealand has issued a new skills shortage list called the Green List with 85 hard-to-fill roles in critical sectors of New Zealand’s economy.

You don’t have to work in a Green List occupation to apply for an AEWV, but it does offer three distinct advantages:

2.1. The Green List offers a fast track to residence

Migrants who qualify can come to New Zealand on an AEWV and apply for residence from September 2022.

Occupations on the Green List that offer a fast track to residence are in the following sectors:

• Construction
• Engineering
• Health and social services
• Primary industries and sciences
• ICT, electronics, and telecommunications

2.2. The Green List also offers a work-to-residence pathway

The Green List offers a work-to-residence pathway to skilled workers with occupations in:

• Health and social services
• Trades
• Agriculture

AEWV holders who qualify for work-to-residence cannot apply for residency immediately but can do so after two years of working in New Zealand.

2.3. PLUS, employers hiring for Green List occupations don’t have to advertise for the job check

New Zealand employers who want to hire a migrant on an AEWV in an occupation on the Green List do not have to advertise for the job check. The proviso is that the criteria for the role must at least match the occupation’s minimum requirements as it appears on the Green List.

3. The AEWV is valid for up to three years, and you must earn at least the median wage

You’ll get a visa valid for the duration of your employment, up to a maximum of three years, if your application for an AEWV is successful. To get the visa, you must earn at least the New Zealand median wage of NZ$27.76.

However, applicants from specific sectors, including construction and infrastructure, tourism and hospitality and the aged care sector, will be exempt from the minimum salary requirement.

Immigration New Zealand will issue two-year work visas for these exception categories instead.

After holding the visa for two years, migrants will have to spend 12 consecutive months outside of New Zealand before being allowed to apply for another AEWV.

4. Most dependent spouses or partners must apply for an AEWV in their own right to work in New Zealand

Your dependent spouse or partner will get a visitor visa to enter New Zealand. Most spouses and partners who then want to work in New Zealand must apply for an AEWV in their own right. These applications open from December 2022.

5. There are three steps to the AEWV process

To hire workers from overseas under the AEWV, New Zealand employers must have accreditation and pass a job check unless it’s an occupation on the Green List.

The job check is in place to ensure there aren’t suitable New Zealanders to fill the role that the employer is advertising.

Without accreditation and a job check, the employer can’t hire from overseas, and you can’t apply for an AEWV.

The three steps to the AEWV are thus as follows:

• The employer applies for accreditation, and Immigration New Zealand checks their credentials
• The job check, which is the assessment of the job details and any job advertising
• Your AEWV application, during which Immigration New Zealand assesses your credentials

Employer accreditation opened on 23 May, and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) estimated it would take 10 working days to process accreditation applications. Job check applications open on 20 June, and INZ expects to process those applications in 10 working days.

Contact us if you need help applying for an AEWV

There will surely be a rush of applications for the Accredited Employer Work Visa as soon as it opens on the 4th of July.

While Immigration New Zealand has said that it’ll process applications within 30 days, there is no telling if it’ll be possible to stick to this timeline.

Our advice to you is thus to submit your application as soon as possible! You can get started by booking an obligation-free consultation call with our licensed advisor to determine if you qualify for the AEWV.

On 11 May 2022, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced New Zealand would reopen to all tourists and visa holders at 11:59 pm on 31 July 2022. That is two months sooner than initially planned!

The announcement also included details of the New Zealand Government’s “rebalanced immigration system” to address the country’s immediate skill shortages and speed up the economic recovery from COVID-19.

1. New Zealand fully reopens on 1 August!

New Zealand closed its borders to the world in 2020 and started to gradually reopen to different visa and visitor categories earlier this year.

On the 1st of August or 11:59 pm on 31 July, New Zealand is finally reopening completely for all visitors and visa holders!

Prime Minister Ardern rightly said that this announcement is welcome news for families, businesses and New Zealand’s migrant communities.

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash added that bringing the final border opening date forward allows New Zealand to fully reconnect to the world in time for the country’s traditional peak visitor season.

“Our wider tourism sector is on the way to recovery. We will be fully open to the world in mid-winter, traditionally our quietest period for visitors. Bringing forward the date allows prospective travellers to apply for visitor visas well ahead of time before taking the next step to book a flight or a cruise for future travel,” Minister Nash said.

2. Change ahead for international students once New Zealand reopens

Education Minister Chris Hipkins said the full reopening of the border is a significant milestone for the educational sector, which can now start to rebuild sustainably. The focus was on volume in the past, but that will change with the focus shifting to value.

To facilitate this shift, Immigration New Zealand will implement these changes:

• Students in non-degree level courses will not get post-study work rights except where they are studying and working in specified shortages and skilled occupations.
• For degree-level and other eligible international students, the length of time they can work after their students will mirror the time they study in New Zealand. Masters and PhD students will retain the right to work in New Zealand for up to three years after their studies.
• Students will also not be able to apply for a second post-study visa in New Zealand.

3. Simplified immigration processes and a new occupation list to benefit skilled migrants and employers

The New Zealand Government has announced a “rebalanced immigration system” that’ll incentivise and attract highly-skilled migrants and simplify immigration processes for businesses.

The cornerstone of this rebalanced immigration is the new Green List that features 85 hard-to-fill roles in construction, engineering, trades, healthcare and tech.

The other key component is the new Accredited Employer Work Visa that comes into effect on 4 July 2022.

“Through the Accredited Employer Work Visa, employers won’t need to provide as much information, can use their own recruitment processes to prove no New Zealanders are available for work, and Immigration New Zealand will endeavour to have these visas processed within 30 days once an employer is accredited,” Prime Minister Ardern said.

One of the critical requirements of the Accredited Employer Work Visa will be that the visa applicant earns at least the median wage. The current median wage is NZD27.76 an hour, and it’s updated once a year.

The wage requirement does affect some industries more than others, but the New Zealand Government is working closely with those sectors to assist with the transition.

Individual workers are also affected, but Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi announced that the Government would extend the visas of around 20,000 visa holders already in the country to ensure skilled workers stay in New Zealand. This extension will be specifically for visa holders with visas expiring before 2023. They’ll either get a six-month extension or a new two-year visa with open work conditions.

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