Principal Engineer

Job Description
We are currently recruiting a
Principal Engineer
to join the Distribution System Operations team within the Network Strategy and Future Network Management branch.

The team is responsible for the provision of long-term whole of network DSO strategy, programs and initiatives to deliver corporate objectives and to ensure that Essential Energy develops the required capability and performance to enable a rapid transition to high penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER).

This role can be based anywhere within Essential Energy's operational footprint with the ability to work from home in a hybrid work environment.

About The Role
The Principal Engineer is responsible for supporting the development of DSO strategies through detailed analysis, design, planning, execution, and technical and economic evaluations. The Principal Engineer will also provide technical leadership in projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing the integration of DER with the electricity distribution network, as well as utilising DER to optimise network investments, planning, connections, and operations.

Work within the DSO area is likely to include topics such as Dynamic Connections, Flexible Exports, Distributed Energy Resources Management Systems (DERMS), connections innovation, DER connections and compliance, tariffs, demand management, and performance management and reporting on DSO systems.

About You
You are keenly interested in the trends and changes in the energy industry with a broad interest across all functions of an electricity distribution network. You are passionate about the energy transition and achieving technical and financial benefits for long term value to the network and our customers. You possess:

• Specialised knowledge in technical, commercial, and regulatory matters related to DER integration and Distribution System Operator (DSO) functions.
• Advanced skills in data analysis, dashboards and report building, technical and economic analysis, and network modelling.
• Knowledge of the Australian electricity sector and the regulatory environment.
• Ability to apply knowledge to identify technically and economically feasible solutions to challenges in the electricity distribution network.
• Experience in a similar role in the electricity industry.
• Professional interpersonal and influencing skills with a proven ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders to build collaborative working relationships across all levels of the business and industry partners.

Required Qualifications

• Bacehlor's Degree in Engineering or equivalent to satisfy graduate membership to the Institution of Engineers Australia

Desirable

• Tertiary qualifications in electrical engineering
• Experience in strategy development and data analysis.

Why Essential Energy
We offer competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience and 16.5% superannuation.

Essential Energy offers a broad range of employee benefits, providing you access to product discounts, including Qantas Club, Optus and Health Insurance, Health Programs including fitness passport and other benefits such as 26 weeks parental leave. For more information on our benefits, please visit the employee benefits page.

We are proud to be recognised as a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for All Women.
We're a business with a huge range of operational and corporate roles aimed at connecting our communities.

As a pivotal player in the energy future of NSW and the country – we cover 95% of NSW and parts of southern QLD - we are an organisation with a wider variety of roles than you may first think.

Whether you want to work remotely, in a coastal region or rurally, we will invest in you, develop you and help you shape a career in energy that will give you future opportunities you may never have realised in a sector where there is so much to explore.

For further information please contact
Saad Akbar, Senior Manager DSO on
Applications close
on Sunday 9 November 2025, at
11:55 pm.
Passionate people. Global thinking. Regional heart.
Building a better energy future.
Essential Energy is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages applicants to apply regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As an organisation, our aim is to champion inclusivity in the workplace and celebrate the difference in all our employees.
At Essential Energy, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to Essential Energy (including alternate formats of application forms or alternate ways for accessibility). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact

or call us on