Principal Electrical Engineer - Substations

EPEC Group; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Snack bar and drinks

Frequent team and social events

On-site barista (Brisbane office)

Professional memberships

EAP and novated leasing

Flexible working to support work/life

Job summary

EPEC Group is seeking a Principal Primary Design Engineer to lead a design team delivering FEED and procurement‑level primary designs for HV projects. You will direct concept through FEED to procurement‑ready documentation, ensuring compliance with AS/NZS and IEC standards across a diverse client base.

Responsibilities include building a high‑performing team, guiding primary plant selection, equipment specs and design standards while delivering complex grid connection work for renewables and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering and PE license.
• 10+ years in primary design for HV/substations.
• Strong knowledge of substation primary design and standards (AS/NZS, IEC).
• Proven ability to lead and mentor a design team.

Responsibilities

• Oversee FEED studies, concept and preliminary designs and technical specifications.
• Ensure designs are tender-ready and compliant with industry standards.
• Provide guidance on primary plant selection, equipment specification and design standards.

Skills

Team leadership

Substation design

Regulatory knowledge

Project management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Office

Job description

About Us

EPEC Group is a nationally recognised high-voltage engineering and EPC partner, providing HV power engineering, EPC (for substations, lines and BESS BoP), testing and compliance services, along with market modelling, SCADA and Hardware-in-the-Loop capability.

Since being founded in 2019, EPEC has grown rapidly to become a trusted delivery partner on some of Australia’s most complex renewable energy projects, from 400 MW solar farms and 200 MW battery storage systems to 330 kV substations delivered for international developers entering the Australian market for the first time. Founded by specialists in power system engineering, project delivery and generator compliance, our mission is to simplify the grid connection process and remove the uncertainty that costs projects time and money.

We manage connections to the National Electricity Market (NEM) through end‑to‑end solutions, from pre‑enquiry through to connection, registration, testing, compliance and commercial operations. What sets EPEC apart is that everything is delivered in‑house: power system modelling, EPC construction, SCADA, commissioning and compliance testing, all under one roof and one point of accountability.

The Role

We are looking for a Principal Primary Design Engineer to lead and grow a primary design team delivering FEED (Front‑End Engineering Design) and procurement‑level design services to a wide array of clients. This role includes overseeing the technical development of primary designs from concept through to FEED and procurement‑ready documentation, ensuring compliance with industry standards and providing expertise in substation systems, primary plant and equipment selection.

A key element of this role will be building and mentoring a design team around you, uplifting capability and delivery capacity as our client base grows. Previous experience delivering complex high voltage grid connection projects, as well as developing detailed primary designs, single line diagrams, layout drawings and equipment specifications to a procurement‑ready standard, will be essential.

Day to day you will oversee the preparation of FEED studies, concept and preliminary designs and technical specifications, ensuring designs are ready for tender and construction across a diverse portfolio of clients and projects. As our SME, leverage your expertise to provide guidance on primary plant selection, equipment specification and design standards, ensuring compliance with industry standards (AS/NZS, IEC, etc.) and client requirements.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering acceptable for membership of Institution of Engineers Australia in Professional Engineering
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• 10+ years of experience in primary design
• Strong knowledge of substation primary design
• Proficiency in AutoCAD.
• Strong knowledge of rules, regulations, best practices, and performance standards
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• RPEQ will be looked upon favourably

Why Join EPEC Group?

This is your chance to be part of a reputable, forward‑thinking organisation with a strong brand and a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

Our six core values — Customer Centric, Certainty, Enjoyment, Future Focused, Integrity, and Safety — are at the heart of everything we do.

What We Offer

• Fully stocked snack bar and drinks
• Frequent team and social events
• On‑site barista (Brisbane office)
• Professional memberships
• Access to EAP and novated leasing
• Flexible working to support work/life balance
• Ongoing training and development
• Strong career progression opportunities in a fast‑growing organization