Principal Electrical Engineer

Vinova; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Vinova is seeking an experienced HV engineer to own HV engineering decisions and serve as the technical authority for upstream HV infrastructure in a major Australian portfolio. You will work with Grid Connection Managers and EPC contractors to ensure network, safety and reliability standards are met across transmission and distribution assets.

You will influence substations, transformers, switchgear, protection and control, and BESS projects, driving technical governance and engineering

Job description

What will this job do to improve your life?

Vinova are working with a leading digital infrastructure business that is investing heavily in the expansion of its Australian platform.

This is an opportunity to step into a genuine technical authority position where you will have ownership of HV engineering decisions rather than simply delivering one part of a design package.

You will influence how major substations, transmission and distribution connections and associated power infrastructure are designed, procured, built and commissioned. You’ll also have the scope to challenge EPCs and consultants, establish engineering standards and help shape the technical strategy behind a growing portfolio of critical infrastructure.

For an experienced HV engineer, this offers a pathway to move further into an owner’s engineering environment while remaining close to complex technical work.

About the role

You will sit within the Power & Energy function and act as the owner’s engineer and technical authority for upstream HV infrastructure.

Working closely with Grid Connection Managers, Senior Project Managers, engineering and operations teams, you will provide technical leadership throughout development, design, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning.

You will also work directly with TNSPs, DNSPs, EPC contractors, specialist consultants and OEMs to ensure HV infrastructure meets network, regulatory, safety, reliability and operational requirements.

The portfolio includes transmission and distribution connections, substations, transformers, switchgear, HV cables and lines, protection and control, SCADA, metering, earthing, contestable assets and associated BESS infrastructure.

Duties

• Own HV engineering standards, design criteria, specifications and technical requirements across the portfolio
• Review and challenge EPC and consultant designs for substations, transformers, switchgear, cables, protection, control and associated systems
• Lead technical reviews, design workshops, equipment assessments, FATs, SATs and technical acceptance across project delivery
• Support grid connection, procurement, construction and commissioning teams with complex HV engineering decisions

Skills & experience

• Deep technical expertise across HV substations, primary plant and transmission or distribution infrastructure
• Strong experience with HV substation design and engineering, ideally across 132kV, 220kV, 275kV, 330kV or higher
• Proven ability to review, challenge and manage engineering work from EPC contractors, consultants and OEMs
• Strong knowledge of Australian electrical standards, network requirements, protection and control and grid connection interfaces
• Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering or equivalent degree; CPEng or equivalent professional recognition would be highly regarded
• Take ownership of HV engineering across a major Australian infrastructure portfolio
• Influence projects from early development through design, construction, commissioning and operation
• Work on large-scale, technically complex infrastructure with significant power requirementsBuild engineering standards and technical governance rather than inherit a purely delivery-focused position
• Gain exposure to data centres, grid infrastructure, BESS and emerging power technologies

Company & culture

Vinova are working with a leading infrastructure business developing and operating large-scale digital infrastructure across Australia and the wider APAC region.

The business is in a significant growth phase, with power availability, reliability and speed of delivery central to its expansion strategy.

You will join an environment that values strong engineering judgement, technical accountability and clear decision‑making. The position has visibility across project, development and operational teams and will suit someone comfortable taking ownership of complex technical issues in a fast‑paced infrastructure environment.