Principal Electrical Engineer

Black & White Engineering; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Black & White Engineering in Melbourne seeks a Principal Electrical Engineer to lead the design of data centre electrical systems and drive multi-disciplinary delivery. You will oversee HV/LV distribution, UPS, generators, and protection schemes while ensuring uptime, redundancy, and performance targets across projects.

The role emphasizes leadership, mentoring, and active client engagement with a focus on energy efficiency and modular data centre trends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• CPEng status or working towards chartership preferred.
• Experience in an engineering consultancy environment.
• Engineers Australia membership desirable.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design projects.
• Experience delivering complex building services for data centres or similar facilities.
• Strong project management and client-facing capabilities.
• Proficient with MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience using ETAP, PowerCAD, DIALux, AutoCAD and Revit.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of electrical systems for data centre and critical infrastructure projects.
• Develop and review detailed HV/LV power distribution, UPS, generators, switchgear and protection schemes.
• Ensure designs meet uptime, redundancy (N+1, 2N) and resilience requirements.
• Provide technical oversight and ensure standards compliance.
• Manage electrical engineering packages from concept to commissioning.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Support planning, budgeting, risk management and design reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Electrical design

Project management

BIM/Coordination

ETAP/Power systems

AutoCAD/Revit

Client engagement

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

CPEng preferred or pursuing chartership

Engineers Australia membership desirable

Tools

ETAP

PowerCAD

DIALux

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

At B&W Engineering, we specialise in delivering high-performance, resilient, and scalable infrastructure solutions for data centres and mission-critical environments. As a Principal Electrical Engineer, you will play a key role in designing and delivering complex electrical systems that power some of the most demanding digital infrastructure projects.

This is an opportunity to work at the forefront of the data centre sector—combining technical excellence with leadership while contributing to highly reliable, energy-efficient, and future-ready facilities.

Technical Leadership & Design (Mission-Critical Systems)

• Lead the design of electrical systems for data centre and critical infrastructure projects
• Develop and review detailed designs for HV/LV power distribution, UPS systems, backup generators, switchgear, and critical power systems
• Ensure designs meet uptime, redundancy (e.g., N+1, 2N), and resilience requirements
• Provide technical oversight and ensure compliance with relevant standards and best practices

Project Delivery

• Manage electrical engineering packages across multiple data centre projects from concept through to commissioning
• Collaborate with multi disciplinary teams (mechanical, ICT, structural, BIM) to deliver integrated solutions
• Support project planning, budgeting, and risk management activities
• Participate in design reviews, FAT/SAT processes, and commissioning phases

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with clients, contractors, and vendors on technical solutions and delivery requirements
• Provide expert advice on data centre electrical infrastructure and performance optimization
• Represent Black & White Engineering in client-facing engagements and technical discussions
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and designers within the electrical team
• Promote knowledge sharing across data centre best practices and lessons learned
• Contribute to building a high-performing, technically strong engineering team
• Drive innovation in energy efficiency, redundancy optimisation, and sustainability in data centres
• Stay current with evolving technologies such as modular data centres, renewable integration, and advanced monitoring systems
• Support the adoption of digital engineering and BIM in electrical design workflows

EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENT

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status or working towards chartership through Engineers Australia preferred.
• Previous experience within an engineering consultancy environment.
• Membership with Engineers Australia or equivalent professional institution desirable.
• Proven experience leading and delivering projects within multidisciplinary design teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing the design and delivery of complex building services projects.
• Strong project management skills with experience in mission critical facilities including data centres or similar highly serviced environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience using industry software such as ETAP, PowerCAD, DIALux, AutoCAD and Revit.
• Ability to use engineering calculation tools and spreadsheet-based design software.
• Significant experience producing drawings, calculations, specifications and technical reports across a broad range of building types.
• Thorough understanding of the engineering design process from concept through to construction and commissioning.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary coordination including mechanical, architectural, structural, civil and security disciplines.
• Excellent knowledge of Australian Standards, National Construction Code (NCC), and relevant authority requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with clients and project stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring and team development capability.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships and support business development initiatives.
• Appreciation for diverse cultures, perspectives and working styles within a global organisation.