Principal Electrical Engineer - Grid & Storage Design

AECO; Newcastle City Council; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

6 weeks annual leave

Volunteer leave

Flex public holidays

Job summary

AECOM Australia is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to lead the design and delivery of medium-voltage balance of plant for utility-scale generation and storage projects. The role covers design bases, protection philosophies and grid interfaces, with a focus on practical, coordinated designs.

You will mentor engineers, work across feasibility to commissioning, and apply robust judgement balancing safety, cost and operability.

Qualifications

• Significant experience (8+ years) designing and leading medium‑voltage electrical systems, typically at 11 kV to 33 kV, across concept, preliminary and detailed design stages.
• Demonstrated cable-system design capability, including ampacity and derating, voltage drop, short‑circuit withstand, screen and sheath arrangements, earthing, routing and cable schedules.
• Proficiency in DIgSILENT PowerFactory, with experience undertaking and reviewing load‑flow, fault‑level, voltage, reactive‑power, harmonic or related power‑system studies.
• Strong understanding of transformer and switchgear specification, including transformer rating, impedance, vector group, tapping, losses, earthing and equipment‑duty requirements.
• Experience developing or reviewing protection and control philosophies, protection grading, relay settings or interfaces, and commissioning requirements.
• Ability to prepare and review high‑quality electrical calculations, reports, drawings, specifications, datasheets, schedules, tender documentation and design‑review comments.
• Strong client engagement and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and explain complex electrical matters clearly and practically.
• Either registered, or working towards professional registration, on the National Engineering Register in Australia (such as RPEV or RPEQ), ideally supported by Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status or equivalent international accreditation.
• A bachelor degree in electrical engineering or a closely related power‑engineering discipline.
• Experience in engineering consulting, design and construction, EPC contracting, utilities or complex industrial projects; renewable energy experience is highly regarded but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical design approach for medium‑voltage balance of plant systems on utility‑scale generation and storage projects, including collector networks, substations, auxiliary systems and interfaces to the grid connection.
• Develop and review design bases, single‑line diagrams, equipment ratings, cable sizing and derating, voltage‑drop and short‑circuit withstand calculations, cable schedules, routing, earthing and lightning protection requirements.
• Build and review DIgSILENT PowerFactory models and undertake load‑flow, short‑circuit, voltage, reactive‑power, harmonic and contingency studies appropriate to the project stage.
• Select and review transformers and major electrical plant, including ratings, impedance, vector group, tap range, earthing arrangement, losses and equipment duty.
• Develop and review protection and control philosophies, grading and coordination studies, relay requirements, interfaces, test requirements and commissioning plans.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary inputs, mentor engineers, support client decisions, and provide technical review during procurement, construction and commissioning.

Skills

Medium-voltage design

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

Protection & control

Electrical design leadership

Education

Bachelor degree in electrical engineering

Tools

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

Job description

AECOM Australia is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to lead the design and delivery of medium-voltage balance of plant for utility-scale generation and storage projects. The role covers design bases, protection philosophies and grid interfaces, with a focus on practical, coordinated designs.

You will mentor engineers, work across feasibility to commissioning, and apply robust judgement balancing safety, cost and operability.