Principal Power Systems Engineer

Talesca; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Talesca seeks a Principal Power Systems Engineer to lead the Grid Connections service line and grow the brand across the country. You will oversee projects, guide a team, and deliver high-quality power system studies for developers, NSPs and regulators.

You will combine technical excellence with strategic business development, client leadership, and robust stakeholder management to support energy transition initiatives and project delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of engineering experience in power systems studies.
• Proven ability to lead, think strategically and manage client engagements across markets.
• Strong presentation, written and verbal communication skills with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Promote Grid Connections capabilities nationally and grow the service line.
• Lead a team delivering high-quality power systems studies for energy projects.
• Manage engagement scope, budget, quality and timelines; ensure client satisfaction.
• Develop innovative technical solutions for grid connection challenges and weak grid scenarios.
• Coach and mentor team members and contribute to knowledge sharing.
• Drive business development and client relationships to expand projects and revenue.

Skills

Power systems analysis

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Stakeholder engagement

PSS/E PowerFactory PSCAD

Renewables HVDC FACTS

Budget and project management

Business development

Strategic thinking

Excellent communication

Data-driven advice

Education

Bachelor's or higher degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PSS/E

PowerFactory

PSCAD

Job description

Position: Principal Power Systems Engineer

Location: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth

Type: Full Time

About The Company

Our client is a fast growing multidisciplinary advisory firm focused on the energy transition, combining strategic, commercial and regulatory advice with specialist power systems engineering.
The business is expanding through organic growth and acquisitions.

About The Role

The position of Principal Power Systems Engineer sits within the Grid Connections Service Line.

The role of Principal Power Systems Engineer plays an important role to help lead and grow the Grid Connections service line nationally, developing a strong brand in the market, actively originating a healthy sales pipeline and winning work, leading a team, delivering excellence to clients and living the values of the firm.

The expectations of a Principal Power Systems Engineer within the business are set out in the firm's Executive performance management and KPI framework. The core KPIs for this role include achievement of sales and revenue targets, personal and team utilisation, effective delivery of client engagements to budget and margin, and employee and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Continuously promoting the mission, services and capabilities of Grid Connections and more broadly to clients nationally, and internationally over time;
• Supporting the growth of the Grid Connections service line offering;
• Applying best practice frameworks, technical expertise and insights to support the analysis and provision of high-quality, services across a range of relevant industries and sectors;
• Leading team collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving;
• Leveraging and building personal brand and profile in the market to build and expand professional networks and client relationships, and originating $1 million plus in sales;
• Effective engagement management across the engagement lifecycle, including detailed scoping, clear guidance and direction to engagement teams, high quality client communications and quality assurance of client deliverables, active budget management, and overall engagement health;
• Conducting detailed power systems studies for energy projects, collaborating closely with developers, investors, Network Service Providers (NSPs), and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO);
• Developing innovative technical solutions to complex grid connection challenges, addressing issues such as weak grid scenarios and sector congestion;
• Guiding projects through application, registration, energisation, and commissioning phases, ensuring seamless milestones for AEMO and NSPs;
• Guiding clients with upgrades or equipment replacement for existing fleets of synchronous generation;
• Managing project delivery, maintaining high standards for compliance with internal procedures, industry standards, and legislative requirements;
• Identifying opportunities for ongoing and future project extensions, contributing to business growth;
• Building internal networks, learn from senior colleagues, and contribute to team knowledge-sharing activities;
• Supporting business development and related activities, in relation to existing and prospective clients across our offerings and a range of sectors;
• Actively living and promoting the firms' values in relation to one team, excellence, resilience and authenticity;
• Proactively coaching, mentoring and providing support, knowledge and guidance to team members;
• Other duties commensurate with your role classification and capabilities as requested by the firm.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strategic and conceptual thinking – identifying the key issues, identifying relationships and drawing elements together. Taking the longer term into consideration and developing broad-scale objectives.
• Innovation and collaboration – generating original and imaginative ideas and solutions to client problems. Ability to work with clients and teams to co-design approaches and solutions.
• Client service orientation – making efforts to listen to and understand the client (both internal and external), anticipating and responding to client needs, authentic and adult client interactions.
• Concern for firm values and standards – pursuing excellence in line with the organisation's values and performance expectations. Identifying and providing opportunities to improve the capabilities of our people.
• Effective team leadership and coaching – using appropriate interpersonal styles and coaching methods to inspire and guide individuals and teams toward goal achievement; modifying behaviour to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals involved.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 12 years' engineering experience in power system studies, preferably with knowledge in Renewables, HVDC and FACTS.
• Ability to apply leadership, critical thinking, and technical expertise to enable the provision of high-quality analysis and advice across existing and emerging markets impacted by the shift to a de-carbonised, sustainable economy.
• Ability to liaise and present confidently with clients and stakeholders at all levels, including Board and C-Suite.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and provide clear guidance, direction, and feedback to team members.
• Ability to provide high-quality, data-driven, and insightful advice and deliverables to clients.
• High level of written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Self-motivated, highly pro-active, and a resilient attitude.
• Proficiency in data management, reporting, and an aptitude for power systems modelling tools (e.g., PSS/E, PowerFactory, PSCAD), ideally with a background in utility power systems planning or operations.
• Experience managing technical quality, timelines, and budget for large-scale projects Stakeholder management experience, with a track record of successful negotiations to ensure project success.
• Publication experience in Electrical Engineering journals or conferences is a not required, but highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher degree in Electrical Engineering or other relevant discipline.