Grid and Project Manager - Renewable Energy / BESS (AUS Based)

ConnectedGroup; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ConnectedGroup is seeking an experienced Grid Connection Manager to lead grid-connection activities for utility-scale BESS and renewable-energy projects across Australia. You will guide development, engineering, procurement and operations through the connection lifecycle.

You will liaise with AEMO, TNSPs and DNSPs, clients and consultants to shape strategy, manage risk and ensure compliance with the National Electricity Rules, delivering robust technical outcomes on time.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years in grid-connection, power-systems or renewable projects.
• Australian experience on grid-scale renewables with NEM/WEM exposure.
• Experience managing grid-connection with AEMO, TNSPs, DNSPs and consultants.
• Experience from development through construction to operation.
• Experience with EPC, eBoP and O&M tenders is advantageous.
• Exposure to BESS, solar, wind or hybrid projects preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead power-system and grid-connection activities for utility-scale BESS and renewable-energy projects in Australia.
• Develop and implement grid-connection strategies during the early-development phase, including preliminary technical design and connection-risk assessment.
• Manage the full connection process from Connection Enquiry through to securing relevant approvals under the National Electricity Rules, including Rule 5.3.4 and 5.3.9 processes where applicable.
• Lead technical engagement and manage relationships with AEMO, TNSPs, DNSPs, project clients, inverter OEMs, balance-of-plant contractors and external technical consultants.
• Support and participate in connection-application preparation, connection-agreement negotiations and the management of connection-related deliverables through financial close and beyond.
• Coordinate technical studies, review outputs from external consultants and ensure that grid-related engineering deliverables are robust, complete and commercially appropriate.
• Support EPC, electrical balance-of-plant and O&M tender processes, including technical and commercial evaluation of inverter, power-plant-controller and related equipment solutions.
• Work with Development, Procurement, Project Delivery, Engineering, Controls and Construction teams to develop optimised connection solutions, plant designs and techno-economic analyses.
• Manage grid-related construction and commissioning activities, including R1, registration, hold-point testing, R2 compliance and associated stakeholder coordination.
• Support ongoing compliance, performance analysis and technical issue resolution for operational assets.
• Review and challenge third-party consultant and contractor deliverables where necessary, ensuring technical queries are assessed and resolved effectively.
• Support business-development and procurement teams with technical and technical-economic analysis for tenders and new opportunities.
• Apply engineering best practice while managing project budgets, technical risk, schedules and competing priorities.

Skills

Grid-connection

Stakeholder management

Project management

Technical communication

Australian power system knowledge

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Electrical/Power Engineering

Tools

PSCad

PSS/E

DIgSILENT PowerFactory

COMSOL

ANSYS

Job description

Our client is a global battery-technology group that is expanding its utility-scale battery energy storage and renewable-energy platform in Australia.

The business is developing and delivering grid-scale projects and requires an experienced Grid Connection Manager to lead all grid-related activity across the project lifecycle. This is a hands-on, high-impact role for someone who understands Australia's power system, the connection process and the practical interface between development, engineering, procurement, construction and operations.

Working with internal teams and external stakeholders, you will help shape connection strategy from early-stage project development through financial close, construction, registration, compliance testing and operational performance review. You will work in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment where technical judgement, stakeholder management and delivery discipline are highly valued.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead power-system and grid-connection activities for utility-scale BESS and renewable-energy projects in Australia.
• Develop and implement grid-connection strategies during the early-development phase, including preliminary technical design and connection-risk assessment.
• Manage the full connection process from Connection Enquiry through to securing relevant approvals under the National Electricity Rules, including Rule 5.3.4 and 5.3.9 processes where applicable.
• Lead technical engagement and manage relationships with AEMO, TNSPs, DNSPs, project clients, inverter OEMs, balance-of-plant contractors and external technical consultants.
• Support and participate in connection-application preparation, connection-agreement negotiations and the management of connection-related deliverables through financial close and beyond.
• Coordinate technical studies, review outputs from external consultants and ensure that grid-related engineering deliverables are robust, complete and commercially appropriate.
• Support EPC, electrical balance-of-plant and O&M tender processes, including technical and commercial evaluation of inverter, power-plant-controller and related equipment solutions.
• Work with Development, Procurement, Project Delivery, Engineering, Controls and Construction teams to develop optimised connection solutions, plant designs and techno-economic analyses.
• Manage grid-related construction and commissioning activities, including R1, registration, hold-point testing, R2 compliance and associated stakeholder coordination.
• Support ongoing compliance, performance analysis and technical issue resolution for operational assets.
• Review and challenge third-party consultant and contractor deliverables where necessary, ensuring technical queries are assessed and resolved effectively.
• Support business-development and procurement teams with technical and technical-economic analysis for tenders and new opportunities.
• Apply engineering best practice while managing project budgets, technical risk, schedules and competing priorities.

Experience

• At least 8 years of relevant industry experience, including a minimum of 5 years in a comparable grid-connection, power-systems or renewable-project role.
• Demonstrable Australian experience on grid-scale renewable-energy projects, with substantial grid-connection exposure in the NEM and/or WEM.
• Proven experience managing grid-connection processes with AEMO, TNSPs, DNSPs, consultants and project counterparties.
• Experience guiding projects from early-stage development through connection approval, construction, commissioning, registration and operational compliance.
• Exposure to utility-scale BESS, solar, wind or hybrid renewable-energy projects is strongly preferred.
• Experience contributing to EPC, eBoP and O&M tenders, including technical evaluation and contractor/OEM engagement, will be advantageous.

Technical Capability

• Strong understanding of Australian power-system engineering, transmission and distribution networks, and grid-connection requirements for utility-scale BESS and renewable-energy installations.
• Sound working knowledge of National Electricity Rules Chapter 5 requirements.
• Familiarity with grid-registration and compliance processes, including connection approvals, R1, R2, hold-point testing and operational compliance obligations.
• Experience with relevant power-system modelling and engineering software, such as PSCAD, PSS/E, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, COMSOL or ANSYS.
• Understanding of the technical requirements for inverters, power plant controllers, electrical balance-of-plant equipment and wider energy-storage connection infrastructure.
• Commercial awareness, including the ability to assess technical risk, contract obligations, CAPEX implications and value-engineering opportunities.
• Familiarity with core contractual concepts relevant to renewable-energy construction, delivery and asset-management arrangements.

Personal Attributes

• Clear and confident communicator, able to explain complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong project-management, organisation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Comfortable operating independently in a fast-paced and evolving development environment.
• Detail-oriented, accountable and solutions-focused.
• Collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively across technical, commercial and project-delivery teams.
• Genuine interest in clean energy and the transition to a more sustainable electricity system.

Qualifications and Eligibility

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Full eligibility to work in Australia is essential; visa sponsorship is not available.