Power Systems Technician

(Level 5, professional role)

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers three Bachelor of Engineering programmes; Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering and Software Engineering. The department typically enrols around 250 undergraduate students in bachelor programmes every year, and also has more than 50 Masters and 100 PhD students at any point in time. Our academic staff teach and conduct research and we have gained an international reputation in a number of specific areas, for example; power systems, inductive power transfer (IPT), radio communications, embedded computing, robotics, advanced control systems, industrial informatics and complex software systems.

Due to the retirement of our Power Systems Technician in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, we have a vacancy for a technician to join the ten others in our team. We require a person to undertake wide ranging activities in the department and to be based in the Newmarket campus.  The person will have core single-phase and three-phase electricity system established expertise, and broad experience in hardware system building skills for electrical circuits, machines, transformers and electronics work. They will also have some experience of teaching practical skills and of teaching people how to operate new technologies like grid-connected photovoltaic systems, smart-meters, storage batteries, Protective Relays using the Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED) models and the like. Good customer service is also very important in this role.

The department has 7 research labs specialising in different aspects of electrical and computer engineering. Our technicians use computer aided design for printed circuit boards and mechanical parts. Technicians support research by academics and post graduate students. For undergraduates, they test run design projects.  This requires designing, building and integrating mechanical, electrical and software components. Technicians have access to a 3D printer and an automatic SMT assembly machine. Technicians also get involved in undergraduate teaching, and in the setting up and support of formal lab sessions. The role requires an ability to solve technical problems and experience of programming microcontrollers or computers would be useful. The Power Systems technician needs experience in working with high currents and voltages, 3 phase systems, motors, generators, transmission line relays, inverters, transformers and smart grid technology.  Power systems software used in actual industry like DigSilent, PSS/E, PSS@SINCAL l, protective relaying software, Matlab, real-time digital simulator etc. will be useful. This role will be very rewarding for a technically competent person who can work on their own initiative and fit well in to a team.

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through flexible employment practices and a culture that encourages and supports staff to reach their full potential. We offer a competitive salary, five weeks’ annual leave per year, and over 300 different career development courses. In addition, the University offers a company superannuation scheme, discounted car parking, childcare and a number of other subsidies on internal and external services. For more information please visit: Career development and benefits.

The University has an equity policy and welcomes applications from all qualified persons.

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students.

Applications close on Monday 13 February 2017.