Primary Engineer role in Brisbane

Electrical Design Lead – Primary

Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Electrical Design Lead – Primary to join our dynamic engineering team. This full-time position, based in Brisbane and Gold Coast (QLD), offers an exciting opportunity to lead the technical design and delivery of primary electrical systems for a range of innovative projects, including substations (MV/HV/EHV), solar farms, wind farms, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and transmission systems (overhead lines and underground).

As the Electrical Design Lead – Primary, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that all primary plant designs are safe, compliant, and optimized for performance and reliability. You will also act as a subject matter expert in high-voltage equipment, substation layouts, and system integration.

Note: While we are seeking a senior-level professional, candidates with strong foundations and mid-level experience in primary electrical design who demonstrate exceptional potential and the ability to grow into a leadership role will also be considered.

Responsibilities

Primary Electrical Design Leadership

• Lead the design of primary systems, including substation layouts, high-voltage equipment, busbar configurations, earthing systems, and lightning protection.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards such as AS 2067, IEC 60076, and AS 62271.

Design Delivery & Coordination

• Deliver primary design outputs at various stages: 30% (Preliminary Design), 60% (Developed Design), 80% (Detailed Design), and IFC (Issued for Construction).
• Coordinate with secondary (protection & control), civil, structural, and SCADA disciplines to ensure alignment and accuracy.

Design Assurance & QMS Compliance

• Apply design control processes aligned with ISO 9001 standards.
• Participate in design reviews and ensure all deliverables are checked, reviewed, and approved prior to issue.

Technical Studies & Validation

• Lead or review load flow and fault level inputs, insulation coordination studies, and earthing studies.
• Validate equipment ratings, system configurations, and redundancy philosophies.

Safety in Design (SiD) & Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate high-voltage hazards, clearance risks, and constructability issues.
• Participate in Safety in Design (SiD) workshops and maintain design risk registers.

Procurement & Technical Support

• Prepare equipment specifications, datasheets, and technical schedules for procurement.
• Evaluate vendor submissions and provide technical support during Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).

Construction & Commissioning Support

• Provide technical support during construction, installation, pre-commissioning, and commissioning phases.
• Respond to RFIs and ensure as-built documentation reflects installed systems.

Stakeholder & Client Interface

• Act as the primary technical contact for primary electrical design matters.
• Interface with clients, Owner’s Engineers, NSPs/TNSPs, and participate in technical meetings and design reviews.

Qualifications

Mandatory

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 5–15 years of experience in primary electrical design for mid to senior-level candidates.
• RPEQ or equivalent certification from states outside of Queensland.
• Proven experience in substations (MV/HV/EHV) and renewable energy projects (solar, wind, BESS).

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer (CPEng) certification.
• Familiarity with NSP/TNSP standards and connection processes.
• Experience in EPC/EPCM or Owner’s Engineer roles.