Principal Power Systems Engineer

Wärtsilä Energy leads the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. We help our partners to accelerate their decarbonisation journeys through our market-leading technologies and power system modelling expertise. These cover decarbonisation services, future-fuel enabled balancing power plants, hybrid solutions, energy storage and optimisation technology, including the GEMS Digital Energy Platform.

Did you know Wärtsilä has delivered 79 GW of power plant capacity and more than 130 energy storage installations in 180 countries around the world?

In this fast changing world of energy, we are constantly on the lookout for future-oriented talent to join our team and to work towards enabling sustainable societies through innovation in technology and services - together. Want to join the ride?

About Wärtsilä Energy Storage Business
Wärtsilä Energy Storage Business (ESB) is a global leader in energy storage optimization, committed to creating resilient, intelligent, and flexible energy infrastructure. Our mission is to enable a renewable future by integrating renewables, energy management technology, and energy storage with traditional resources. We support Wärtsilä's vision of a 100% renewable energy future by delivering solutions that prioritize flexibility, reliability, and sustainability.

Role Summary

We are looking for a Principal Power Systems Engineer to drive advancements in our electrical and power systems modeling tools, with a primary focus on dynamic modeling for inverter-based resources such as battery energy storage systems (BESS). This role is central to our Power Systems team, supporting grid code analysis, stability assessments, and the development of automated power system optimization tools for both standalone and hybrid BESS with solar PV systems.

Location:
Sydney, Australia
Employment Type:
Full-Time
Function:
Power Engineering | Control Engineering | Software Engineering

Your Main Responsibilities Are

• Customer and Project Support

• Act as the technical authority on behalf of Wärtsilä with key customers—including project developers, utilities, and network service providers (NSPs)—in the APAC region, particularly Australia.

• Support pre-sales and proposal activities: collaborate with business development and project teams to craft technical solutions, respond to customer RFIs/RFPs, and present modelling/controls strategy to clients.
• Maintain strong relationships with customers during all project phases (feasibility → design → commissioning → operation), ensuring the modelling and grid compliance work translates into smooth execution, handover and operations.
• Provide training and knowledge transfer for customers or their engineering teams on model assumptions, performance criteria, and compliance obligations.
• Act as a bridge between the customer, internal modelling/software/hardware teams and regulatory/NSP stakeholders: diagnosing issues, proposing workarounds, and ensuring customer deliverables (e.g., simulation packages, hold-point test results) are met on time and to spec.

• Modeling and Technical Development

• Develop, validate, and maintain dynamic simulation models of Wärtsilä BESS in tools such as PSCAD, PSSE, and DIgSILENT PowerFactory.

• Optimize control and protection model parameters to meet grid stability, voltage, and frequency response criteria.
• Perform integration of BESS with renewable assets (e.g., PV and wind) and conduct hybrid plant dynamic assessments.
• Translate simulation algorithms into practical software modules in Python or Fortran for automated workflows.

• Grid Compliance and Documentation

• Support GPS packages by preparing compliance documentation, including performance studies, test procedures, and validation reports.

• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders during R2 testing and post-commissioning verification.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of AEMO and Australian Standards, including NER S5.2.5, S5.2.6, and related compliance clauses.
• Provide training and mentoring to internal teams and customers on grid connection processes and simulation practices.

• Continuous Improvement

• Enhance internal modeling tools and compliance workflows to improve speed, accuracy, and standardization across projects.

• Identify lessons learned from customer projects and contribute to updates in design guidelines and best practices.

You will shine in this role when you have:

• Master's or Ph.D. in Power Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in power systems modeling, grid compliance, or energy storage integration.
• Strong knowledge of AEMO connection processes, including GPS R0, R1, and R2 stages.
• Expertise in PSCAD, PSSE, and DIgSILENT PowerFactory.
• Experience with GPS preparation and validation.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or Fortran for automation or model tuning.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with cross-functional, global teams.

Desired Skills

• Practical experience with BESS commissioning or inverter-based resource modeling.
• Familiarity with AEMO guidelines, NER S5.2 compliance, and network operator requirements.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers and interface with customers and regulatory bodies.

Daily Workflow
A typical day in this role includes:

• Reviewing and responding to customer technical inquiries and supporting GPS process milestones (R0 → R1 → R2).
• Running and analyzing PSCAD and PSSE simulations to validate dynamic model performance against GPS criteria.
• Collaborating with grid compliance engineers, software developers, and project managers to align technical deliverables.
• Participating in technical calls with AEMO, NSPs, and project developers to resolve compliance or modeling issues.
• Preparing simulation reports, test plans, and grid compliance documentation for active projects.
• Supporting commissioning engineers during R2 validation and site testing to ensure model-to-field alignment.
• Engaging in internal technical reviews and contributing to tool development or automation scripts for grid modeling and compliance tracking.

Additional Information

We encourage qualified candidates to apply online at Wärtsilä Careers ).

Why you and us
You are valued –
as your true self. At Wärtsilä we value diversity and are committed in supporting inclusive work community.

Your growth is supported.
We believe in continuous learning & teamwork. Wärtsilian community has your back when it comes to development opportunities – so you can develop beyond your potential.

You get to make a difference.
Innovation and sustainability are important for us. Every day, we put our hearts and minds into enabling sustainable societies through innovation in technology and services into reality.

Contact & next steps
Submit your application before the deadline through our Careers portal. Applications through email will not be considered. After submitting your application you'll receive a confirmation email. We try our best to get back to everyone within 2-3 weeks after application deadline.

Please apply by 27/11/2025 at 23:59 Australian Standard Time. Our recruiting tool recognizes the time zone where the job ad has been published and closes the application period according to same time zone

Last application date: 27/11/2025

At Wärtsilä we value, respect and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job-relevant merits and abilities.

Please note that according to Wärtsilä policy, voluntary consent for a security check may be required from candidates being considered for this position, depending on the applicable country.

This is Wärtsilä
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