Head of BESS Engineering

Vertex Search; Sydney; On-site; AUD 280,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Bonus

Equity/LTI

Job summary

Vertex Search client seeks a Head of BESS Engineering to lead the technical strategy, design integrity and engineering delivery for a growing BESS portfolio across Australia. You will own the engineering function across development, procurement, construction and operations, reporting to the executive team.

Ideal candidates bring 12+ years in power systems, 4–5 years in BESS, and track record delivering utility-scale projects in Australia.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of engineering experience in power systems, renewable energy, or utility-scale infra, with 4–5 years in BESS
• Proven track record delivering utility-scale BESS projects in Australia
• Deep technical knowledge of BESS technologies (lithium-ion chemistries, inverter/PCS design, thermal management)
• Strong understanding of NEM, AEMO frameworks, grid connection processes and Australian standards
• Experience leading technical due diligence for M&A or investment processes
• Demonstrated people leadership — building and managing engineering teams
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/Power Systems; Chartered Engineer (CPEng) status highly regarded
• Excellent stakeholder management with experience presenting to investment committees and boards
• Full working rights in Australia; Sydney-based or willing to relocate

Responsibilities

• Lead all BESS engineering activities across the project lifecycle — feasibility, FEED, detailed design, procurement, construction oversight, commissioning, asset performance
• Own technical due diligence for BESS acquisitions, greenfield developments, and investment decisions, including risk assessment and mitigation
• Develop and maintain internal engineering standards, technical specifications, and design review processes for BESS systems
• Manage relationships with OEMs, EPC contractors, and technical advisors; lead vendor selection
• Provide technical leadership on grid connection studies, AEMO compliance, and interconnection requirements
• Oversee HAZOP, safety case development, and compliance with Australian standards and battery safety codes
• Build, lead, and mentor a growing team of BESS engineers
• Support commercial and investment teams with technical input for PPAs, offtake structuring, and revenue stacking
• Represent the business in interactions with AEMO, NSPs, regulators, and industry bodies
• Report on technical progress, risks, and budget to the executive team and board

Skills

BESS engineering

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Grid connection knowledge

M&A technical due diligence

Power systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering / Power Systems

Chartered Engineer (CPEng) status

Job description

Our client, a leading renewable energy developer and IPP with a growing battery energy storage system (BESS) portfolio across Australia, is seeking a Head of BESS Engineering to lead the technical strategy, design integrity, and engineering delivery of their BESS pipeline. This is a senior leadership role responsible for building and directing the engineering function across development, procurement, construction, and operational phases of standalone and co-located BESS projects.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a senior BESS engineering leader to shape the technical direction of a growing platform, with direct exposure to investment committees, board-level reporting, and the full project lifecycle from origination through to operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all BESS engineering activities across the project lifecycle — feasibility, front-end engineering design (FEED), detailed design, procurement, construction oversight, commissioning, and asset performance
• Own technical due diligence for BESS acquisitions, greenfield developments, and investment decisions, including risk assessment and mitigation strategies
• Develop and maintain internal engineering standards, technical specifications, and design review processes for BESS systems (technology selection, system architecture, fire safety, grid connection, thermal management)
• Manage relationships with OEMs, EPC contractors, and technical advisors; lead technology and vendor selection processes
• Provide technical leadership on grid connection studies, AEMO compliance, and interconnection requirements for BESS assets
• Oversee HAZOP, safety case development, and compliance with relevant Australian standards (AS/NZS) and battery safety codes
• Build, lead, and mentor a growing team of BESS engineers as the portfolio scales
• Support commercial and investment teams with technical input for PPAs, offtake structuring, and revenue stacking (FCAS, arbitrage, capacity)
• Represent the business in interactions with AEMO, network service providers (NSPs), regulators, and industry bodies
• Report on technical progress, risks, and budget to the executive team and board

Candidate Requirements

• Minimum 12 years of engineering experience in power systems, renewable energy, or utility-scale infrastructure, with substantial hands-on BESS experience (minimum 4–5 years specifically in BESS)
• Proven track record delivering utility-scale BESS projects in Australia, from development through to operations
• Deep technical knowledge of BESS technologies (lithium-ion chemistries, inverter/PCS design, thermal management, fire suppression systems)
• Strong understanding of the NEM, AEMO frameworks, grid connection processes, and Australian technical standards
• Experience leading technical due diligence for M&A or investment processes
• Demonstrated people leadership — building and managing engineering teams
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or related discipline; Chartered Engineer (CPEng) status highly regarded
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience presenting to investment committees and boards
• Full working rights in Australia; Sydney-based (or willing to relocate)

What's on Offer

• Senior leadership role with a fast-growing, well-capitalised platform
• Direct influence over technology strategy and portfolio-shaping decisions
• Competitive base salary + bonus + potential equity/LTI, commensurate with seniority
• Career growth as the BESS pipeline scales