Engineering Manager - Grid Connections and Compliance

Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO); Western Australia; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Professional development

Volunteer leave

Performance bonuses

Wellness program & discounted health

Job summary

AEMO is Australia’s independent energy system and market operator and system planner. This permanent WA-based role leads the Grid Connections and Compliance engineering team, delivering governance, standards, and credible technical leadership across the WA Division.

You will partner with leaders to balance priorities, oversee delivery of engineering services, manage risks, and build capability to meet current and future business needs in a matrix environment.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• Proven capability in leading engineering or technical teams within complex environments.
• Strong governance, risk management and technical standards expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team of engineers and foster an inclusive culture.
• Align engineering resources with organisational priorities and manage delivery trade-offs.
• Build and maintain engineering capability to support current and future needs.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Technical governance

Matrix management

Strategic thinking

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Job description

AEMO at the Heart of Energy

AEMO is Australia’s independent energy system and market operator and system planner. AEMO’s purpose is to ensure safe, reliable and affordable energy today, and enable the energy transition for the benefit of all Australians. Australian governments are now committed to a net zero economy for Australia by 2050 and our vision is to enable this. We have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to co‑design the future of our energy systems, and our core values revolve around character, commitment, and connection. Join us as we contribute to this significant transition in the energy sector.

Division: Western Australia

Department: WA System Engineering

Reference number: 13369

Engagement type: Permanent

AEMO at the Heart of Energy

AEMO is Australia’s independent energy system and market operator and system planner. AEMO’s purpose is to ensure safe, reliable and affordable energy today, and enable the energy transition for the benefit of all Australians. Australian governments are now committed to a net zero economy for Australia by 2050 and our vision is to enable this. We have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to co‑design the future of our energy systems, and our core values revolve around character, commitment, and connection. Join us as we contribute to this significant transition in the energy sector.

About The Team

The WA Division is responsible for operating and planning Western Australia’s power system and energy markets, including the Wholesale Electricity Market, Southwest Interconnected System, gas market information functions, and the Reserve Capacity Mechanism. The division also leads WA‑specific planning, reform, compliance, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Within this environment, the System Engineering function operates as a matrix team, providing specialist engineering expertise across Future System & Market, Capacity & Connections, and Operations.

The Grid Connections and Compliance team is responsible for Generator Performance Standards, compliance and commissioning activities, connection risk management, market reform initiatives, and stakeholder engagement to support the secure and reliable operation of the Wholesale Electricity Market.

About The Role

Reporting to the Group Manager System Engineering, the Engineering Manager, Grid Connections and Compliance leads a team of specialist engineers providing technical expertise, governance and capability across the WA Division. Operating within a matrix environment, you will build engineering capability, uphold technical standards and partner with business leaders on grid connection and compliance matters.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead, develop and inspire a high‑performing team of engineering professionals, fostering an inclusive culture, driving performance, capability growth and succession planning, while championing AEMO's values.
• Partner with business leaders to align engineering resources with organisational priorities, balancing competing demands, managing delivery trade‑offs and ensuring effective workforce planning and utilisation.
• Build and maintain the engineering capability required to support current and future business needs through targeted development, technical career pathways and long‑term workforce planning.
• Oversee the delivery of engineering services across the WA Division, ensuring work is prioritised effectively, customer needs are met, risks are managed and outcomes are delivered to a high standard.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, collaborating to understand business requirements, resolve competing priorities and support positive outcomes for the Wholesale Electricity Market.
• Provide technical leadership through the establishment of engineering standards, governance frameworks and best practice, while overseeing engineering risk management and providing expert advice on complex technical matters.

What You Will Bring To The Role

• Tertiary qualifications in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline, supported by extensive experience leading engineering or technical teams within complex environments.
• A strong track record in developing organisational capability, workforce planning, performance leadership and building high‑performing teams.
• Expertise in engineering governance, risk management and technical standards, with the ability to provide clear and credible technical leadership.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience within the energy, utilities, infrastructure or other highly regulated industries would be highly regarded.
• Proven success operating within matrix structures and leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver strategic and operational outcomes.

Benefits

In return some of our benefits to you

• Flexible working: work from home, part time, job share, hybrid options, and additional leave options
• Professional development via projects, industry networks, job rotation, study assistance and more.
• Give back with up to 4 days of volunteering leave per year.
• Reward your hard work with annual performance bonuses (subject to eligibility).
• Embrace a healthier you with our wellness program, discounted health insurance, gym perks and our comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

About Our Process

At AEMO we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome people of all backgrounds, including people with disabilities and neurodivergence and those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. If you have any accessibility requireme nt s to support you during the application or interview process, simply let us know by emailing us a t [e-mail]