Jnr Designer Estimator

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Downer’s Jnr Designer Estimator role in Energy & Utilities, based in New Plymouth with options in Whanganui or Taranaki, is an entry point for undergraduates or apprentices moving from a trade background into design and estimation for electricity distribution projects. You’ll design and estimate asset renewals and customer work, prepare quotations and scopes, and oversee projects to meet specs and budget on time while maintaining safety. Key strengths are exposure, communication, problem solving and a can-do attitude. We offer a generous salary, health benefits, Perks@Downer. Apply via the ad portal, tailor your CV to show relevant experience and outcomes, highlighting attitude, drive and hunger; questions to Ryan Delon.

THE ROLE 

Ready to power more innovative infrastructure across New Zealand? Join Downer’s Engineering Solutions Division in either our Whanganui or Taranaki office. Whether you’re an undergraduate or an apprentice looking to transition from a trade background, this role offers a dynamic path into electricity distribution projects that genuinely make a difference.

This is an opportunity to learn the ropes with the view of being responsible for designing and estimating asset renewal projects, customer-initiated projects, major tenders, and defect resolutions. Expect to learn and provide high-quality engineering design, estimation, and quotation services. You will also learn to manage projects to ensure they meet specifications, stay within budget, and are completed within agreed timeframes. 

Some of the key responsibilities include:

• Offer high-quality engineering design and estimation services, including providing quotations.
• Perform quality audits of onsite work to ensure compliance with contract documents, design and construction standards, legislation, regulations, and network operating standards. 
• Provide detailed scopes of work, proposals, reports, handover packages and commissioning documents.
• Oversee projects according to specifications, budget, and deadlines. Ensure resources are efficiently coordinated with the project plan.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

ABOUT YOU 

You have practical experience in the power industry, gained either as an undergraduate or as an apprentice trades professional moving into design. The most important qualities you possess are effective communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to delivering work that meets client expectations and safety standards.

• Familiarity with the electricity industry is preferred.
• Undergraduate or apprentice trades background (e.g., Line Mechanic, Electrician, Cable Jointer).
• We can teach you many things, but we cannot teach you attitude, drive, and hunger.
• Excellent communication skills.

OUR OFFER 

• A generous salary package and all the necessary tools to perform your job well are on offer.
• Become part of one of the leading service lines in the Energy & Utilities sector, celebrated for its strong community and passionate, high-achieving teams.
• A suite of health and wellness benefits and initiatives, including EAP, Beyond Blue and health insurance discounts.
• Access to Perks@Downer, which offers discounts and savings on various products, including retail items, travel deals, and entertainment options.
• Energy & Utilities has a dedicated internal mobility team that focuses on internal progression, succession identification, and thorough redeployment opportunities where appropriate. We invest in our people and are industry leaders in this regard.
• We are a Tier 1 ASX-listed company with in-house capabilities far exceeding traditional contractors.

ABOUT US (E&U)

Downer Group’s Energy & Utilities (E&U) business unit is an integrated trans-Tasman team, providing services and solutions that connect communities to essential networks and infrastructure. We design, build, operate, and maintain today’s critical assets and networks, delivering comprehensive services across the water, electricity, telecommunications, industrial, and power generation sectors. Our expertise spans in-house technical smarts, specialist engineering, integrated OEM partners, and dedicated crews of qualified tradespeople.

We are an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our people’s diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from everyone.

Apply now and energise your career with Downer. We look forward to hearing from you! 

For more information, please get in touch with Ryan Delon, Talent Acquisition Business Partner, at [email protected].

Downer does not accept unsolicited resumes, fees, or costs from recruitment agencies, search firms, or third parties. Candidates are welcome to submit their applications through the advertisement, but applications submitted via email will not be accepted.