Hardware & FieldChristchurch, New Zealand

Electrical Apprentice - South Island

Location
Sydenham, Christchurch
Type
Full time

About Aotea Energy

Aotea Energy is building New Zealand's next generation energy company, combining locally designed and assembled battery systems with intelligent software that trades electricity on wholesale and network markets on behalf of customers. We're vertically integrated across hardware, software, retail and installation, giving us full control over quality, cost and customer experience. As we move from development into commercial rollout, building an in-house installation capability is one of the most critical foundations of the business.

New Zealand has committed to a bold future: a fully electrified and resilient economy powered by renewable energy. Achieving it requires more than generation - it takes flexibility, storage, and intelligence at the edge of the grid.

We build the most affordable and intelligent battery system in NZ. Our Mark1 gives homeowners automated control over when they import and export electricity, combined with a power plan that provides direct access to the wholesale market - slashing bills in half. Whether a home has solar or not, the Mark1 makes it smarter. For solar households, it captures and deploys generation at the moments it's worth most. For everyone else, it trades directly against the wholesale market, without panels.

The role

You'll start as an Electrical Apprentice - assisting installations, developing hands-on skills with inverter and battery systems, and working under close supervision. The expectation is that you grow into a fully qualified Electrician, taking on greater responsibility in the installation process as your skills and certification progress.

In the early stages you'll be building practical knowledge of the electrical trade and its application in the New Zealand electrical industry, alongside experience with inverter and battery systems you won't get anywhere else in the country. Responsibilities increase as your skills and knowledge develop.

This isn't a static trade role. You'll be working on technology that sits at the frontier of how NZ homes interact with the grid, with a path to becoming a senior technical contributor as the South Island team scales.

What we need

You're enrolled in or eligible to begin an electrical apprenticeship in New Zealand. You show up, you learn fast, and you take your assessments seriously. You care about doing the job right - not just getting it done.

What you can expect

An apprenticeship no one else in New Zealand can offer
Aotea Energy aims to be a true disruptor and trend setter of the future New Zealand energy industry. That means our electricians and apprentices carry far greater responsibility, and get to learn about the industry well beyond the electrical trade.
A qualification that goes beyond an Electrician
On completion of your apprenticeship you'll be able to obtain a Main Parallel Generation Endorsement to pair with your registration - giving you access to work on electrical systems like batteries that a standard NZ Registered Electrician can't touch.
A structured path to certification
We track all apprentices on a realistic certification timeline. Monthly apprentice meetings keep your assessments up to date and give you visibility of where you're heading and what's coming next.
Work that's technically interesting
You'll develop practical knowledge of battery systems, inverters, and grid-connected infrastructure - skills that are increasingly valuable as electrification accelerates across NZ.
Responsibility that grows with you
Early on, you'll be assisting and observing. As your capability develops, so does your ownership - of installs, of quality, and eventually of the standards we set for the whole team.
A say in how things are built
We're early stage. Installation playbooks, safety processes, training frameworks - these are being written now. You'll contribute to them, not just follow them.

Why it's a unique place to work

Frontier technology
Most electricians work on houses. You'll be working on how houses talk to the grid, installing systems that trade against the wholesale electricity market in real time.
Real traction
Not a concept. Real customers, real installs, real proof - and now we're scaling.
Mission that matters
Every installation puts another Kiwi household in control of their power. The quality of your work is what makes that promise real.

Things to know

For better or worse (we think better), we're a startup. The South Island team is growing, which means there's more opportunity here than in a large established firm - and more expectation that you'll take initiative.

Safety and compliance are non-negotiable. You'll be expected to own your part of that from day one, and to raise the standard as you grow.

Bonus points

To succeed you need to show up, learn fast, and care about doing the job right. Bonus points for:

Prior exposure to solar or battery installationsGenuine interest in the NZ energy transitionHigh achievement in trade study or previous work
Apply

Apply for this role

No cover letter required - just tell us where you're at with your apprenticeship and why you want to work on battery systems.

Prefer email? Send it to hiring@aoteaenergy.com

Ready to build the grid of the future?

Send us your work and a note on what you'd want to own here.

Apply for this role