Principal Protection Engineer

ActewAGL Distribution; Canberra; On-site; AUD 172,000 - 211,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free gym membership + onsite physio

Relocation reimbursement available

Job summary

Evoenergy is recruiting a Principal Protection Engineer to advance protection standards for the ACT network, including embedded generation and storage. You will develop business cases for asset replacement and oversee maintenance strategies, focusing on safety, reliability and regulatory compliance.

You will lead protection staff, provide specialist knowledge, and support cross-functional teams with protection studies and incident investigations.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Electrical/Systems Engineering; membership with relevant engineering institution.
• Experience with electrical network protection systems and network assessments.
• Knowledge of IEC 61850 substation communication standards.
• Understanding of National Electricity Rules and AEMO guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Protection engineering team.
• Oversee protection asset condition and performance within Asset Management Strategy.
• Develop maintenance strategies using RCM methodology and asset replacement business cases.
• Define protection and zone metering program of work and oversee delivery.
• Review protection studies to ensure safety, reliability and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Electrical protection

Protection studies

Team leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Engineering design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

• Full time, ongoing position
• Salary starting at $191,640 plus 16% Superannuation - negotiable based on skills and experience
• Free gym membership + onsite physio
• Relocation reimbursement available

As a Principal Protection Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and advancing protection standards and implementations to meet regulatory and customer requirements, including embedded generation and storage. You will develop business cases for asset replacement projects and oversee maintenance strategies and defect management. Overall, you will ensure safety, network security and reliability, with effective risk management and commercially prudent investment recommendations.

You will be responsible for managing the staff within the Protection engineering team and provide specialist technical knowledge and support to the business on network protection, including the provision of protection studies and investigation of network incidents.

Key responsibilities;

• Lead and manage the staff within the Protection engineering team.
• Manage the condition and performance of Evoenergy’s protection and zone metering assets in alignment with the broader Asset Management Strategy.
• Develop and implement maintenance strategies using Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM) methodology, and develop asset portfolio strategies and business cases for asset replacement programs and projects.
• Define the annual protection and zone substation metering systems program of work and oversee its delivery by internal teams and contractors.
• Review and approve network alteration proposals and protection studies to ensure safety, reliability and regulatory requirements are met for the Evoenergy network and customer connections including embedded generation and storage.
• Liaise with other departments regarding protection system design, quality, testing and related issues to ensure adherence to standards and that the users’ expectations and requirements are met.

Please see the attached position descriptions to view the full list of responsibilities for these roles.

Our ideal candidate:

• You have tertiary qualifications in Systems Engineering or Electrical Engineering; recognised for membership of the Institution of Engineers or relevant industry institution.
• Can demonstrate your knowledge and experience with electrical network protection systems, and network technical assessments.
• Knowledge of IEC 61850 substation network communication standards and application in protection systems.
• Knowledge of requirements contained in the National Electricity Rules and AEMO Guidelines.
• You work collaboratively and can effectively lead others to ensure the completion of tasks and support others to succeed in their roles.
• You can work flexibly and be adaptive, innovative and accepting of new ideas, willing to approach new challenges and adjust plans to meet new priorities.
• You take active steps to ensure the safety of your colleagues and our community, championing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment.

About Evoenergy:

We own, maintain and operate the electricity distribution network in the ACT and the gas network in the ACT and parts of NSW. We supply safe, reliable and cost-effective electricity to over 200,000 residential and business electricity customers, and over 140,000 gas customers.

At Evoenergy, we’re focused on safety, reliability, innovation and sustainability. We boast a positive safety culture that encourages and inspires, because the work we do matters to thousands of Canberrans.

Thinking of moving in Canberra?

The ACT is Australia's best kept secret. Canberra’s location offers easy access to the South Coast and snowfields, making it perfect for an outdoor and adventure based lifestyle.Learn more about the territorythrough our website!

Applications will be accepted until the 9th of October 2026.

Please note: the successful applicant must have, or be willing to obtain, an AusCheck background check. For more information on AusCheck background checks, please see information available from Department of Home Affairs

We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer and embrace a diverse, inclusive, and respective culture, where people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives and backgrounds – and encourage applications regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability.