Lead Commissioning Engineer – Electrical

HDR; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Major project exposure

Career development

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Lead Commissioning Engineer - Electrical for its Melbourne team. You will lead electrical commissioning across mission critical and building services projects, coordinate testing, and ensure safety and design intent are met.

You will mentor engineers, engage contractors and vendors, and contribute to technical capability within HDR's commissioning network while supporting planning and risk management.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Electrical Engineering or related field
• Experience leading electrical commissioning on complex projects

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical commissioning across all project phases
• Prepare and implement CMPs, test procedures and documentation
• Review and approve commissioning plans and FATs/FWTs
• Lead IST/FPT activities and handover readiness
• Mentor junior engineers and drive continuous improvement

Skills

Electrical eng

Commissioning leadership

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Education

Electrical Eng Degree

Tools

SCADA

EPMS

BMS

Job description

About HDR

At HDR, we specialise in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. Our global team of more than 15,000 employees is united by our values and strengthened by our employee-owned culture. We collaborate across disciplines, leverage global expertise, and empower our people to create solutions that make a lasting impact.

About HDR

At HDR, we specialise in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. Our global team of more than 15,000 employees is united by our values and strengthened by our employee-owned culture. We collaborate across disciplines, leverage global expertise, and empower our people to create solutions that make a lasting impact.

As our Commissioning business continues to grow, we're seeking an experienced Lead Commissioning Engineer - Electrical to join our Melbourne team. This is an exciting opportunity to work on some of Australia's most complex mission critical, critical infrastructure, healthcare and building services projects while developing your career within HDR's global network of commissioning professionals.

The Opportunity

As a Lead Commissioning Engineer - Electrical, you will play a key role in the planning, coordination, testing and delivery of commissioning activities across a diverse portfolio of projects, with a particular focus on mission critical facilities and critical infrastructure.

You will provide technical leadership throughout the commissioning lifecycle, coordinating stakeholders, managing testing activities, and ensuring critical systems are delivered safely, reliably and in accordance with design intent.

This role is suited to an experienced commissioning professional who can work independently, lead electrical commissioning activities on complex projects, and confidently engage with contractors, vendors, consultants, client teams and facility operators throughout the commissioning process.

Australian Citizenship Requirement

Due to the nature of current and future project opportunities, Australian Citizenship is a mandatory requirement for this position. Successful candidates must also be eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Baseline Security Clearance, with the ability to obtain higher levels of clearance as required.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the delivery of electrical commissioning services across all phases of project execution.
• Prepare, review and implement Commissioning Management Plans (CMPs), test procedures and commissioning documentation.
• Review contractor, subcontractor and vendor commissioning plans, test scripts and energisation plans.
• Lead Factory Witness Tests (FWTs), Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs), site inspections and functional performance testing activities.
• Manage electrical commissioning activities from installation verification through to integrated systems testing and final handover.
• Lead Level 4 Functional Performance Testing (FPT) and Level 5 Integrated Systems Testing (IST).
• Troubleshoot complex electrical system issues and coordinate resolution with project stakeholders.
• Maintain commissioning records, issue registers and project reporting.
• Coordinate commissioning activities with contractors, consultants, vendors, facility operators and client teams.
• Facilitate commissioning workshops, meetings and technical reviews.
• Support project planning, scheduling, risk management and commissioning readiness activities.
• Prepare and review commissioning reports, test documentation and handover packages.
• Mentor developing commissioning engineers and contribute to technical capability across the wider Commissioning team.
• Promote quality, safety and continuous improvement across all commissioning activities.

What Makes This Role Different?

• Working within HDR's growing national commissioning team, you'll gain exposure to some of the most technically challenging projects in Australia while collaborating with globally recognised commissioning teams.
• You'll have the opportunity to work across:
• Mission critical and data centre facilities
• Critical infrastructure projects
• Low Voltage (LV) and High Voltage (HV) electrical distribution systems
• UPS systems, generators and backup power infrastructure
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Switchboards, transformers and protection systems
• Earthing and grounding systems
• Fuel systems and emergency power systems
• SCADA, EPMS and Building Management Systems (BMS)
• Integrated systems testing and operational readiness programs

What You'll Bring

• Passionate about commissioning, technical problem solving and operational excellence.
• Comfortable leading complex commissioning activities with minimal supervision.
• A strong communicator who can build trusted relationships with clients and project stakeholders.
• Proactive, organised and willing to take ownership of commissioning outcomes.
• Safety-focused with a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced project environments and managing competing priorities.

Ideally, You'll Have

• A tertiary qualification in Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering or a related discipline.
• Alternatively, an electrical trade background with demonstrated commissioning experience.
• Proven experience delivering electrical commissioning activities on complex building services, mission critical, healthcare, industrial or infrastructure projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of critical electrical systems including LV and HV power systems, UPS, generators, transformers, protection systems, SCADA, EPMS and BMS platforms.
• Experience developing and executing commissioning plans, test procedures and integrated testing programs.
• Experience conducting equipment inspections, Factory Witness Tests (FWTs) and Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs).
• Experience leading site-based commissioning activities through testing, troubleshooting and handover phases.
• Strong stakeholder management and client-facing skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical capabilities.
• Experience within data centres, healthcare facilities or other mission critical environments will be highly regarded.
• Experience using commissioning management systems and Microsoft Project will be advantageous.
• A willingness to travel to project sites as required.
• Professional commissioning accreditations such as ACG CxA, CSA, BCxA, ASHRAE BCxP, Green Star AP or LEED are highly regarded.

Why Join HDR?

• Employee ownership – be part of a company where our people have a direct stake in our success.
• Major project exposure – work on complex mission critical and critical infrastructure projects shaping Australia's future.
• Career development – gain mentoring, training and support through HDR's global commissioning network.
• Collaborative culture – work with talented multidisciplinary teams who value technical excellence and innovation.
• Global expertise – collaborate with HDR's internationally recognised mission critical and commissioning specialists.

At HDR, we believe that the way we work matters. That's why we focus on creating an inclusive environment where every employee is respected, supported and empowered to grow.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location:Australia-VIC-Melbourne Industry:Building Engineering Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Building Commissioning Job Posting:Sep 10, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.