Manager, Power Systems & Control Engineering

Imagine a career where your passion for sustainability is not just a job, it’s a purpose. With Windlab, you’ll have a front seat in Australia’s renewable energy transition. Be the changemaker, for future generations and right now.

Join our dynamic In-house Grid team as a Manager, Power Systems & Control Engineering (Grid Connections) you can be located in either Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney.

Windlab is the 100% Australian renewable energy company championing the nation’s clean energy transition and we exist to go big on renewables. Fully integrated across the entire renewable energy value chain, we use our world-leading science to find, construct and operate Australia’s top-performing renewable energy projects.

We recognise that we operate on the traditional lands of First Nations peoples who have a continued sacred connection to Country, and with that comes responsibility. Our long-term commitment for reconciliation is to build respectful, trusting, and mutually beneficial partnerships with Traditional Owners and embed respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, stories and knowledge in everything we do.

Our organisational culture is central to our success, and our pillars of character drive everything we do:

• Speak up - Make a difference. The biggest challenge humanity faces need big brains, big voices, and fresh perspectives.
• Respect expertise - Listen and learn, always. Ability trumps hierarchy. Share smarts and contribute.
• Prove it - Science and business do not progress on assumptions. The problems we are solving deserve robust justification.
• Collaborate - Our skills mix is our superpower. Democratise knowledge, multiply capacity.

Position Snapshot

Are you ready to be a leader on some of Australia’s most challenging and innovative renewables projects? Lead Windlab’s fully in-house Power Systems and Control Engineering team, which offers a unique approach to the Grid Connection process:

• Lead a team of Grid Engineers – Guide, coach and mentor a team of junior through to mid-level grid connection engineers.
• Some of the Most Challenging (and Interesting) Projects in the NEM: Having recently achieved a 5.3.4A/B letter for a 400MW hybrid Wind/BESS project connecting at an SCR of 1.3 using cutting edge grid-forming inverters, our upcoming projects are even more exciting – with new technologies never been seen in the NEM yet.
• Control Systems Engineering Focus: The unique and challenging nature of our projects mean we often need to design site-specific control logic and schemes. We work exclusively with OEMs who are willing to allow us direct access to their R&D teams and customise their products for us.
• Not Just GPS Compliance: Grid connections isn’t a mere AEMO compliance exercise for us, it is a core aspect of project value creation and drives key decisions such as procurement decisions, electrical and SCADA design, contracting and construction phasing: the Grid Connections teams take a key role in a wide variety of decisions outside of grid from early-stage prospecting through to commissioning. Our wild ideas turn into real project solutions!

In this pivotal role, you’ll join our capable Grid Connections team of 10 (including both Grid Connection Engineers and Grid Connection Managers) to deliver in house technical solutions and studies for our projects. Your expertise will be crucial in navigating technical and compliance challenges, making you the “engineer of last resort” who tackles the toughest issues when others are stumped. The role is still hands on and very technical, with the Manager, Power Systems & Control Engineering still expected to perform all the responsibilities of a Principal Engineer on projects, with the additional people management and leadership responsibilities that come with being in charge of a team.

If you’re passionate about pushing the boundaries of power systems engineering and thrive in a collaborative, innovative environment, we want you on our team

What Sets you apart!

• Dynamic Problem Solver: When a problem appears, do you see a pathway to the solution? One that optimises for a variety of factors – technical and non-technical? Can you think on your feet when the unexpected is identified?
• Sense of Ownership: Do you feel an attachment to your projects and drive to see them succeed? Are you focused on achieving outcomes, rather than completing tasks?
• Hunger to Learn: Are you constantly looking to broaden your knowledge – both within your field (depth) and outside of it (breadth)?
• Strong Technical Foundations: Do you have a strong understanding of the fundamentals of Power Systems and Control Systems Theory from first principles, skilled in PSS/E, PSCAD, PowerFactory and Python automation?
• Grid Connection Process: A good understanding of the NEM grid connection process, AEMO and NSP’s expectations, technical requirements and the best ways to navigate the process effectively.
• Passion and Energy: Do you get a rush when you come up with a cool engineering design? Do you enjoy talking power systems or control systems with other engineers? Do you love what you do?
• Leadership and Mentoring: Do you enjoy mentoring junior engineers? Establishing a team culture of excellence? Bringing together a group of people to achieve a goal?

If the answer to these is yes, then Windlab’s Grid Connections team is the perfect fit for you!

Applicants are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Windlab will remove this advertisement if the position is filled.

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We have an internal talent acquisition function, so we're not currently seeking assistance from recruitment agencies. Thank you for understanding.

At Windlab, we embrace the richness of our diverse workforce, and we encourage people of all genders, races, nationalities, orientations and of all abilities to join us. Please reach out if you require any adjustments during our recruitment process or need accommodations related to the role. We are committed to ensuring equitable opportunities for all candidates.