Lead Engineering Project Manager - Commercial Solar

Smart Commercial Energy; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work after probation

Learning & Development budget

Employee Assistance Program with six (

Counselling sessions per year

Job summary

Smart Commercial Energy in North Sydney is seeking an experienced Engineering Project Manager to join the Projects team. The role leads engineering and project delivery for commercial solar and storage projects across Australia, with ownership, technical leadership and a path to significant impact.

You will mentor engineers, support continuous improvement, and manage complex projects from design through handover with travel to sites as required.

Qualifications

• Experience leading project engineering and delivery of commercial solar projects.
• Strong knowledge of electrical and PV systems.
• Ability to mentor engineers and manage cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to travel to project sites and coordinate on-site activities.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety, health and environmental compliance across project delivery.
• Own project budget oversight, forecasting and cost control.
• Lead engineering design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover activities.
• Review technical deliverables and ensure adherence to standards (AS/NZS 5033, 4777, 3000).
• Provide regular updates on project progress, risks and decisions.

Job description

Smart Com mercial Energy is seeking an experienced Engineering Project Manager to join our Projects team.

As a leader in the commercial solar and storage space, we design and deliver complex energy solutions across Australia. With strong project flow and a growing pipeline, this role presents an opportunity to step into a position with real ownership, technical leadership, and impact.

Based in our North Sydney office, with regular site travel, you’ll report to the Program Head and play a key role in delivering high-quality engineering outcomes while mentoring and supporting the broader team.

Role

The Technical Project Manager is responsible for both the project engineering and project management of assigned commercial solar projects, providing single-point accountability from technical definition and design through procurement, construction, commissioning and handover. The role combines strong engineering judgement with disciplined project delivery to achieve safe, compliant, high-quality outcomes on time and within budget.

• Act as the dedicated Project Engineer or Project Manager where experience is required to support project outcomes.
• Take on focused engineering or delivery assignments that provide meaningful professional development.
• Mentor engineers and promote practical knowledge sharing across the engineering team.
• Coordinate monthly engineering training and support continuous improvement of engineering systems and capability.

Responsibilities

3.1 Safety

• Ensure compliance with all Health, Safety and Environmental requirements across engineering and project delivery.
• Embed safe design, procurement, construction, commissioning and site-work practices including risk identification and mitigation.

3.2 Financial and Commercial

• Own project budget oversight, forecasting and cost control to support on-budget delivery.
• Coordinate procurement and logistics, and manage commercial risks, variations and supplier performance.

3.3 Results/Output

• Lead or complete the following engineering and project delivery activities:
  • Site Plans and Single Line Diagrams
  • Inverter, monitoring and protection schematics
  • String configurations and other detailed drawings as required.
  • Manage projects from handover through design, approvals, procurement, construction, commissioning and close out.
  • Coordinate grid applications, structural assessments, council approvals and other project requirements.
  • Manage schedules, resources, contractors, clients and internal stakeholders to meet agreed milestones.
  • Maintain complete project and engineering records, manuals, handover documentation and compliance evidence.
• Review and sign off technical deliverables within delegated authority and elevate matters requiring specialist approval
• Provide clear ownership and communication across technical and delivery interfaces.

3.4 Quality

• Ensuring engineering designs and project execution meet Smart standards, Australian Standards and industry best practices
• Apply effective quality assurance and review processes to minimise errors, rework and delivery risk.
• Provide technical oversight of photovoltaic system design, installation, commissioning and monitoring.
• Contribute to improved engineering tools, templates, standards and project workflows.

3.5 People and Capability

• Mentor, coach and provide technical guidance to engineers across live projects and development activities.
• Organise, coordinate and implement monthly engineering training sessions and learning materials.
• Act as a conduit to Kealy for knowledge sharing, technical needs and continuous improvement priorities.

3.6 Compliance

• Ensure designs and projects comply with applicable legislation, codes and standards, including AS/NZS 5033, AS/NZS 4777 and AS/NZS 3000.
  • Maintain required internal controls, file naming, document management and approval standards.

3.7 Reporting

• Provide regular, accurate updates on project process, budget, risks, technical matters and key decisions.
• Track milestones and performance, elevate issues early and capture lessons learned for future projects

Key Attributes

The ideal candidate will:

• Strong technical knowledge of electrical and photovoltaic systems, including rooftop and ground-mount solar.
• Sound working knowledge of relevant Australian Standards.
• Proven project management experience across complex commercial and MW-scale projects.
• Ability to take end-to-end accountability and move confidently between engineering and delivery priorities.
• Strong problem-solving, commercial judgement, planning and decision-making skills.
• Experience mentoring engineers, facilitating learning and translating technical knowledge into practical guidance.
• Excellent stakeholder relationship management and communication skills.
• Competitive salary package and career development opportunities
• Flexible, family-friendly workplace with hybrid work options after probation
• Market-leading, award-winning employer with a fun and dynamic culture
• Work on cutting edge, innovative and world-first projects for amazing customers
• Talented and supportive team, experienced management
• Great North Sydney location: 4 mins walk from Vic X Metro Station, 8 mins from North Sydney train station
• Paid parking available on site if required
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program with six free counselling sessions per yea
  • A dedicated Learning and Development budget for courses and professional growth