Head of BESS Engineering

vertexsolutions; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 260,000 - 340,000; Full time

Job summary

VertexSolutions seeks a Head of BESS Engineering to lead the technical strategy, design integrity, and delivery of a high-growth BESS portfolio across Australia. You will shape the technical direction, reporting to investment committees and the board, spanning from origination through operations.

This senior leader will own lifecycle engineering, due diligence, standards, vendor management, grid connection, safety, and team development to scale the business.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in power systems or renewables
• 4–5 years specifically in BESS
• Experience delivering utility-scale BESS projects in Australia
• Chartered Engineer status is highly regarded
• 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, 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

Skills

BESS engineering

Power systems

Renewable energy

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer (CPEng)

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