VIC - Principal Protection Engineer

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Protection Engineer to join our team in Victoria (VIC). This critical role is ideal for a motivated individual with a proven track record in substation, transmission, and distribution protection design. As a Principal Protection Engineer, you will play a key role in designing and delivering complex protection systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards, supporting the team's technical growth, and driving innovation in the energy sector.

This position reflects our commitment to fostering a workplace that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented communities, and are proud to support flexible working arrangements to accommodate varying needs.

• Lead the design, implementation, and testing of protection systems for substations, transmission, and distribution networks.
• Develop and review protection relay settings and coordination plans to maintain system reliability and stability.
• Prepare detailed protection design documentation, including single-line diagrams, schematics, and technical reports.
• Provide technical leadership in the resolution of complex protection-related engineering issues.
• Ensure all project designs adhere to relevant regulatory and compliance standards (e.g., Australian Standards, IEC, or NER where applicable).
• Mentor and support junior engineers in designing and reviewing protection systems and conducting performance analyses.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams, clients, and contractors to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Perform short circuit, protection coordination, and system studies using analytical tools and software (e.g., ETAP, DIGSilent, or ASPEN).
• Contribute to safety initiatives and embed compliance with health, safety, and environmental practices throughout project delivery.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and methodologies in protection and control engineering to drive innovation.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent; postgraduate qualifications preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in substation, transmission, and distribution protection engineering.
• Strong expertise in protection relay configuration, including experience with leading manufacturer equipment (e.g., SEL, ABB, Siemens, GE).
• Proven ability to develop and analyze protection relay settings and schemes for HV and MV systems.
• Proficiency in using simulation and calculation tools such as PSCAD, ETAP, ASPEN, or DIGSilent to perform short circuit and coordination analysis.
• In-depth knowledge of Australian electrical standards and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentorship capabilities in driving technical excellence among team members.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, for effective team collaboration and client interaction.
• Highly detail-oriented with well-honed problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Proven capacity to manage priorities and adapt to evolving project requirements in a fast-paced environment.

• Develop protection settings and perform fault studies for active projects.
• Conduct technical reviews of protection and control designs to ensure best practices are upheld.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers through design processes and troubleshooting challenges.
• Participate in engineering team meetings to provide updates on project progress and technical insights.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including planners, drafters, contractors, and clients.
• Review technical submissions from vendors and ensure they meet project specifications.
• Act as a thought leader in client presentations, bringing innovative protection solutions to the forefront.
• Stay hands-on with protection verification and testing procedures, including relay setting modification and acceptance testing.
• Engage in professional development activities to ensure skills remain cutting-edge and aligned with industry advances.

Location: Victoria, Australia
Employment Type: Fixed-Term Contract
Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience

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