Principal Planning Engineer

Western Power; Perth; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Additional leave

Salary packaging

Health insurance discount

Gym membership

Recognition programme

Wellness leave days

End-of-trip facilities

Job summary

Western Power is seeking a Principle Planning Engineer to lead transmission planning in WA’s grid transformation program. The role involves technical leadership, mentoring a team, and delivering robust planning studies for large-scale projects.

You will work with AEMO, EPWA and other stakeholders to ensure secure, reliable operation and to enable decarbonisation of the network. Perth CBD-based, permanent full-time position with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in Electrical discipline.
• Eligible for CPEng/NPER registration.
• 9+ years of broad, deep transmission planning experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical advice to support Area Manager decisions.
• Quality assurance of works planning reports and technical docs.
• Justify complex transmission projects and manage stakeholder expectations.
• Drive process improvements through R&D and new tech.
• Mentor Planning Engineers and manage project budgets.

Skills

Power system planning

Dynamic stability analysis

Generator testing

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical)

Chartered professional registration eligible (CPEng/NPER)

Job description

Principle Planning Engineer – Permanent Full Time – Perth CBD

We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic engineering leader to drive innovation in our Grid Transformation function. This role offers the chance to shape the future of WA’s power system, providing expert technical leadership in transmission planning while mentoring a high-performing team. If you’re passionate about large-scale, complex engineering projects and want to play a pivotal role in ensuring a secure, reliable, and evolving energy network, we’d love to hear from you!

Your Role in Action

• Provide accurate and robust technical advice to support Area Manager decisions, initiatives and business objectives.
• Provide technical, economic and commercial quality assurance assessment of Works Planning Reports, Scope of Works and other technical documentation, including network projects, network strategies, technical standards, incident reports and operational procedures etc
• Justify complex transmission projects, provide planning advice, and manage stakeholder expectations.
• Drive process improvements through research, development, and innovative technology.
• Support and lead Joint Planning Teams and business initiatives.
• Conduct risk assessments and contingency planning for system operations beyond Planning Criteria.
• Perform specialist studies relating to rotor angle, small signal, frequency and voltage stability, electromagnetic transients and corona.
• Perform incident investigations and work with generators and customers to define control system settings to maximise power system security. Witness and assess generator compliance tests.
• Mentor Planning Engineers and Senior Planning Engineers to nurture an environment of technical excellence, economic principle and commercial acumen.
• Manage project budgets to meet estimates and prevent overruns.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including AEMO, EPWA, other government entities and Customers.

What Makes You a Great Fit

• Degree Qualification in Engineering (Electrical) discipline
• Eligible for CPEng / NPER registration
• At least 9 + years relevant broad and extensive knowledge and expertise with demonstrated strong technical experience covering the following areas:
• Planning, design, operation and maintenance of electricity transmission networks;
• Large generation and load connection studies including assessment of dynamic behaviour, control system assessments and tuning of parameters.
• Generator compliance testing.
• Economic and financial evaluation techniques.
• Extensive knowledge of the techniques and systems associated with effective dynamic, transient, power quality and capacity planning assessments. Specific knowledge of power system analysis in respect to dynamic, transient and other performances and including harmonics and electromagnetic transients and corona.
• Strong knowledge of power system plant and application, with direct experience in planning or power system analysis.
• Good understanding of energy and capacity market principles and strong knowledge of utility regulatory frameworks.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the development, implementation and maintenance of constraint equations
• Broad and or deep range of technical knowledge and expertise gained through comprehensive experience in generator compliance testing, small signal stability analysis and control system tuning requirements.
• High competency in report writing with excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.

By joining Western Power, you will contribute to powering a cleaner energy future. We are dedicated to fostering career development and promoting a healthy work-life balance, empowering you to drive innovation as we develop a network that will serve the Western Australian community for generations. You will also benefit from a range of perks and opportunities, including:

• Over 50% of our employment opportunities are driven by career progression.
• Flexible work arrangements to support part time work, working hours and working from home arrangements.
• The opportunity to purchase up to four weeks of additional leave per year.
• Access to salary packaging, social club activities, and discounted health insurance and gym membership.
• An award-winning employee recognition and benefits programme.
• An innovative team culture that’s enabling the transition to renewable energy and decarbonisation.
• In addition to standard leave, enjoy three wellness leave days each year.
• Access to end-of-trip facilities at our Perth office and South Metro Depot, perfect for cyclists.

Applications close on 16 September 2026

We value diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and LGBTQIA+ communities. Find out more about our Reconciliation Action Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.

Learn more about Western Power here: About (westernpower.com.au)

Find out how we’re building A Network for Life: A network for life (westernpower.com.au)