Principal Engineer – Renewable Energy (Melbourne)

About the role

Bureau Veritas is seeking a Principal Engineer to act as Owner’s Engineer for large‑scale solar and battery storage projects across Australia. You will be seconded to client sites, providing day‑to‑day engineering advice, guiding design decisions and ensuring technical excellence throughout permitting, design and grid‑connection phases.

Key responsibilities

• Provide expert technical leadership across Solar PV, BESS and Balance of Plant (BoP) design and delivery.
• Lead engineering support as an Owner’s Engineer on 1–2 major renewable projects at a time.
• Review and develop tender documentation, design packages and project specifications.
• Conduct technical assessments and produce high‑quality red‑flag and technical due‑diligence reports.
• Oversee compliance with regulatory requirements, performance guarantees and warranty conditions.
• Support EPC, O&M and supply contract negotiations to secure robust technical outcomes.
• Manage OEM and vendor engagement to maintain quality, schedule and delivery standards.
• Guide clients through the grid‑connection process across the NEM and SWIS regions.

Required profile

• Degree‑qualified Electrical Engineer.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience delivering utility‑scale renewable projects in Australia.
• Proven success acting as an Owner’s Engineer with deep understanding of project risk and lifecycle.
• High‑level knowledge of planning permits, development approvals and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong client engagement and stakeholder communication skills with a professional presence.
• Recognised accreditation (NER, RPEQ, RPEV, CPEng) highly desirable.

Required skills

• Solar PV design.
• Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) design.
• Balance of Plant (BoP) engineering.
• Technical assessment and reporting.
• Regulatory compliance.
• EPC and O&M contract negotiation.
• OEM/vendor management.
• Grid connection processes (NEM, SWIS).

What we offer

• Competitive salary.
• Fantastic training and development opportunities.
• Discounted health & wellbeing platform and health insurance with Bupa.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Access to retail discount portal (Cliqit).
• Superannuation salary sacrifice option.