Commissioning Engineer - Secondary Systems

Acciona S.A; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Camp-style accommodation

Roster-based schedule

Job summary

ACCIONA is seeking a Commissioning Engineer – Secondary Systems to support the delivery of modern transmission projects in the Central West Orana region, NSW. The role covers design, engineering, testing, commissioning, and integration of digital substations and protection systems, including IEC 61850-based automation.

You will lead commissioning activities for HV/EHV substations, coordinate with clients and OEMs, and ensure safe, compliant handover while working on a roster with 14 days on site

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years in protection, control, and substation automation projects.
• Hands-on commissioning experience in HV/EHV substations (66kV+).
• Experience with IEC 61850 Digital Substations and Station/Process Bus architectures.
• Knowledge of protection schemes (Distance, Differential, Busbar, Transformer, Line, Feeder).

Responsibilities

• Prepare protection & control philosophies, SLDs, schematics, wiring diagrams, and interlocking logic.
• Configure, test and commission protection relays from major OEMs (Siemens, GE, SEL, ABB, Schneider).
• Lead end-to-end commissioning: transformer, busbar, distance, line differential protections and auto-reclose.
• Commission Substation Automation Systems, IED integration, HMI, RTUs and SCADA interfaces.
• Conduct FAT/SAT testing and end-to-end protection testing, analyze faults and event logs.
• Utilize Omicron CMC test sets, IEC 61850 test tools, and network analyzers; ensure cybersecurity compliance.
• Coordinate with clients, utilities, OEMs and project stakeholders; ensure safety and quality standards.

Skills

Protection engineering

Substation automation

IEC 61850

HV/EHV substations

Commissioning

SCADA

Testing tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Omicron CMC

Protection Suite

IEC 61850 tools

DNP3/Modbus/OPC

Job description

ACCIONA is a global company, leading in the development of regenerative infrastructure that creates a positive impact on society. Our workforce consists of more than 65,000 professionals, present in more than 40 countries across the five continents, all contributing in our mission to design a better planet. Are you a passionate individual who wants to make a difference, promote sustainable development, and find solutions to the biggest global challenges including climate change, overpopulation, and water scarcity? Come and join us in building the infrastructure our planet needs to achieve a sustainable future.

Job Description

An 80-year group, COBRA promotes its own efficient business model, the result of the combination of decentralization, geographical diversification and technical specialization of more than 20,000 professionals in more than 43 countries. In this way, it offers a wide range of services throughout the value chain of projects, adapted to each sector and to the scope of the contract required by our clients, both public and private. Cobra is divided into four main sectors of activity, Networks, Specialised installations, integrated projects and concession assets. ACEREZ, a partnership of ACCIONA, COBRA and Endeavour Energy, has been appointed network operator by EnergyCo to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) transmission network. The ACCIONA COBRA Joint Venture (ACJV), the design and construct (D&C) consortium, will design and build the Central-West Orana REZ transmission project. The Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Transmission Project will build new high-capacity transmission lines, energy hubs and supporting infrastructure to transfer power generated by solar and wind projects to electricity consumers. The new infrastructure is expected to be operational by 2028 and will initially unlock up to 4.5 gigawatts of new network capacity. The project consists of 90km of 500kV overhead transmission lines and 150 km of 330kV transmission lines for generator connections, stretching from Elong Elong in the west through to Barigan Creek in the east, via an energy hub at Merotherie. The Central-West Orana project is currently seeking are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Commissioning Engineer – Secondary Systems to support the delivery of modern transmission and distribution projects. This role will be responsible for the design, engineering, testing, commissioning, and integration of digital substations, protection systems, and IEC 61850-based automation solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare protection and control philosophies, SLDs, schematics, wiring diagrams, and interlocking logic.
• Configuration, testing, and commissioning of protection relays from Siemens, GE, SEL, ABB, Schneider Electric, or equivalent.
• End-to-end commissioning of: Transformer Protection Schemes, Busbar Protection Systems, Distance and Line Differential Protection, Feeder Protection, Breaker Failure Protection, Auto-Reclose Schemes, and Synchrocheck and Synchronizing Systems Hands‑on experience with GOOSE messaging and Sampled Values (SV) testing and troubleshooting.
• Substation Automation System (SAS) commissioning, including IED integration, HMI, gateways, RTUs, and SCADA interfaces.
• Conducting Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), Point-to-Point Testing, and End-to-End Protection Testing.
• Proficiency in using Omicron CMC test sets, Test Universe, IEC 61850 test tools, and network analyzers.
• Network configuration, Ethernet switches, PRP/HSR redundancy protocols, GPS/PTP time synchronization, and cybersecurity compliance.
• Analyze disturbances, event logs, COMTRADE files, and fault records during commissioning and energization activities.
• Demonstrated experience leading substation energization, outage planning, system cutovers, and commissioning teams while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• Strong understanding of utility standards, testing procedures, commissioning documentation, and final handover requirements Configure, test, and commission protection relays from major OEMs such as Siemens, GE, SEL, ABB, and Schneider.
• Troubleshoot protection, control, SCADA, and communication systems.
• Interface with clients, utilities, OEMs, and project stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with utility, regulatory, and industry standards.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience in protection, control, and substation automation projects.
• Minimum 5 to 10 years of hands‑on commissioning experience in HV/EHV substations (66kV to 500kV+).
• Proven experience in commissioning IEC 61850 Digital Substations, including Station Bus and Process Bus architectures.
• Strong understanding of transmission and distribution substations.
• Experience with IEC 61850 engineering tools and protocols.
• Knowledge of protection schemes including: Distance Protection, Differential Protection, Busbar Protection, Transformer Protection, Line Protection, amd Feeder Protection.
• Experience with SCADA, RTUs, and communication systems.
• Proficiency in engineering and testing documentation.
• Hands‑on experience with digital substations and process bus implementation.
• Familiarity with IEC 60870-5‑104, DNP3, Modbus, and OPC protocols.
• Experience with relay testing tools such as Omicron CMC and Protection Suite.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity requirements for utility networks.
• Experience in renewable energy grid integration projects.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.

Commissioning Engineer positions are bus in, bus out, camp style accommodation provided for 14 days onsite and 7 days off site, on a roster‑based arrangement out of the Central West Orana Region.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

Please note: This position is being delivered as part of a joint venture between two organisations. As such, your employment may be with either of the parent companies, and this will be confirmed during the recruitment process.

For more information on how your personal data is managed, please refer to the privacy statements of each parent company: Grupo Cobra: https://www.grupocobra.com/en/privacy-policy/ Acciona: https://www.acciona.com/privacy-policy

ACCIONA has been given the Top Employer 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 certification in Australia, which certifies the company's commitment to excellence in human resources management and those who focus on putting their people first through their exceptional HR policies. Since establishing a presence in Australia in 2002, ACCIONA has made significant investments in local opportunities and project development. ACCIONA employs more than 3,000 people in its renewable energy, infrastructure and water projects across Australia & NewZealand. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and promote equality and diversity. Indigenous Australians and candidates from minority groups are encouraged to apply.