Principal Power Systems Engineer

About the role

AECOM's Resources, Industrial, Advisory and Program Management (RIPA) team is looking for a Principal Power Systems Engineer to lead power-system analysis and technical advisory for islanded mining networks and stand-alone power systems (SAPS). The role covers the North West Power System (NWPS) centred on Mount Isa, Queensland, and the North West Interconnected System (NWIS) in Western Australia's Pilbara, and supports the broader resources and industrial business.

Key responsibilities

• Lead steady-state and dynamic studies for islanded and weak power systems, including load flow, fault levels, protection coordination, voltage and reactive power, frequency response, transient stability and contingency assessment.
• Develop methodologies and scenarios to assess power systems for client-driven SAPS and for NSP and regional operator requirements (NWIS / NWPS).
• Assess the integration of diesel and gas generation, solar PV, wind, battery energy storage, grid-forming and grid-following inverters, and large mining or industrial loads.
• Develop and review operating envelopes, dispatch assumptions, reserve requirements, load-shedding schemes and system restoration strategies.
• Prepare technical assessments for new connections, network augmentations, plant modifications and decarbonisation projects.
• Develop, validate and maintain power-system models, and produce clear, auditable study reports and recommendations.
• Engage with asset owners, network service providers, generators, operators and regional system coordination bodies to resolve technical issues and progress approvals.
• Lead technical workstreams, manage quality and delivery, mentor engineers and contribute to proposals and client relationships.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with a major in power systems.
• Proven experience of over 5 years (senior) or 8 years (principal) or more in a design/engineering consultancy, OEM or utility, covering grid compliance, system modelling, network planning and customer connections.
• Experience on grid-scale renewables (wind/solar/battery/hybrid) projects connecting into the NEM and WEM is highly regarded.
• Commercial acumen and ability to coach and mentor junior staff.
• Experience leading the connection process from concept planning through construction, testing and commissioning on grid-scale VRE projects, including registration.

Required skills

• Understanding of transmission and distribution planning and connection processes for VRE, dispatchable plants, energy storage and embedded generators.
• Knowledge of major generation technologies and their control systems.
• Understanding of NER schedules S5.2 and S5.3 and guidelines for connecting new generators and loads, including DMAT requirements.
• Hands-on experience with PSS/e, PSCAD and Digsilent PowerFactory; proficiency in Python scripting and working knowledge of ETAP.
• Concept design of grid-scale VRE and BESS projects, and control and protection principles of high-voltage substation equipment, transmission lines, generators, transformers and reactive equipment.
• Experience preparing technical design documentation and due diligence reports.