Grid Connection Engineer | Utility-Scale Wind, Solar & Battery Storage | Melbourne

D'Arcy Weil; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration with bonus

Hybrid work with regular days fromhome

Professional development and Engineers

International opportunities

Job summary

D’Arcy Weil is recruiting a Grid Connection Engineer in Melbourne for a global renewable energy company. The role owns the technical path to grid connection for wind, solar and battery projects, from early studies through energisation and testing to ongoing compliance.

You will run studies using PSS/E, PSCAD and PowerFactory, coordinate with AEMO and network providers, and mentor junior engineers while maintaining robust grid performance and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years in power systems engineering across renewable generation, transmission or distribution.
• Fluency in PSS/E, PSCAD and PowerFactory with EMT modelling.
• Experience taking projects through AEMO connection processes (R1/R2) and with network providers.
• Knowledge of the National Electricity Rules and generator performance standards.
• Eligibility for Engineers Australia membership; RPEQ or RPEV registration.
• Understanding inverter-based plant behaviour, including grid-forming control.
• Hands-on hold-point testing and commissioning on site.
• Experience mentoring or supervising junior engineers.
• Clear technical writing and stakeholder communication.

Responsibilities

• Own the connection pathway for wind, solar and battery projects from first approach to final sign-off.
• Produce the studies, technical submissions and evidence each approval depends on.
• Act as the technical voice with AEMO, transmission and distribution network providers and external specialists.
• Direct testing, energisation and model validation on site.
• Diagnose performance problems on operating assets and keep them within grid obligations.
• Give early technical advice on new sites and bids, and on the renewable development pipeline.

Skills

Power systems engineering

PSS/E PSCAD PowerFactory

EMT modelling

RMS model development

AEMO connection processes

Engineers Australia membership

RPEQ/RPEV registration

Inverter-based plant behaviour

Technical writing

Stakeholder communication

Mentoring juniors

Education

Job description

Take wind, solar and battery projects from first connection enquiry to a compliant, operating asset.

• Power system studies, connection approvals and performance verification
• Large-scale wind, solar and battery storage projects
• One of the world’s largest renewable energy companies
• Only candidates with current Australian working rights will be considered

In short: A power systems engineering role at one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies, owning the technical path to grid connection for a portfolio of wind, solar and battery projects, from early studies through energisation and testing to ongoing compliance. At least 5 years in power systems engineering across renewable generation, transmission or distribution required.

D’Arcy Weil is recruiting a Grid Connection Engineer on behalf of one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies. The Melbourne-based role takes responsibility for getting large-scale renewable projects connected and keeping them compliant, including:

• Guiding each project through the connection process, from the first approach to the network to final sign-off
• Producing the studies, technical submissions and evidence that each approval depends on
• Acting as the technical contact for AEMO, network service providers and external specialists
• Directing testing, energisation and model validation on site
• Diagnosing performance problems on operating assets and keeping them within their grid obligations
• Giving early technical advice on new sites, bids and the wider development pipeline

The work covers the whole life of a connection, from the first enquiry through to an asset that proves its compliance and keeps it.

The Role

• Connection delivery: Own the connection pathway for wind, solar and battery projects, from the first approach to the network through to final sign-off, and produce the studies, technical submissions and supporting evidence each approval depends on
• Studies and modelling: Run stability and transient simulations in PSS/E, PSCAD and PowerFactory to show that inverter-based plant meets its performance standards across a range of grid conditions, and write up the findings clearly
• Network and market engagement: Act as the technical voice with AEMO, transmission and distribution network providers and external specialists, work through their queries, resolve differences and secure the approvals each project needs
• Commissioning and model validation: Direct testing, energisation and model validation on site so that each asset proves its compliance at first energisation and stays compliant afterwards
• Operating asset support: Diagnose power system performance problems on operating assets, and keep them within their grid obligations as rules and technical expectations shift
• Development and bids: Give early technical advice on new sites and bids, and on strategy for the renewable development pipeline

About You

• At least 5 years in power systems engineering across renewable generation, transmission or distribution
• Fluency in PSS/E, PSCAD and PowerFactory, including electromagnetic transient (EMT) modelling and RMS model development and validation
• Hands-on experience taking projects through AEMO connection processes, including R1 and R2 stages, and dealing with distribution and transmission network providers
• A working knowledge of the National Electricity Rules and generator performance standards
• Eligibility for Engineers Australia membership, and RPEQ or RPEV registration held or eligible to obtain
• A solid understanding of how inverter-based plant behaves, across wind, solar and battery systems, including grid-forming inverter control and system strength and stability issues
• Hands-on experience with hold-point testing and commissioning on site
• Experience mentoring or supervising junior engineers
• Clear technical writing and confident stakeholder communication

What’s on Offer

• A competitive remuneration package with a performance bonus
• A global renewable energy company with the scale, backing and technical depth to take on the largest projects
• A senior technical seat with real influence over how projects are connected, and scope to develop and mentor other engineers
• Access to internal training academies, technical programs and leadership development
• Cross-border rotations and international placement opportunities within a global group
• Open internal vacancies across the group, with real mobility between roles, teams and countries
• Flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working with regular days from home
• A strong work-life balance culture, with generous paid parental leave, options for reduced or flexible hours and extended unpaid leave
• Support toward professional registration and Engineers Australia membership
• An employee assistance program and wellbeing support
• A diverse, inclusive and equal-opportunity workplace with a collaborative, purpose-driven culture

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