Principal Electrical Engineer, Generation & Storage | Energy in Holywood

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World. At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

Job Description

As a Principal Electrical Engineer, you will lead the electrical design and delivery of medium-voltage balance of plant systems for utility-scale wind, solar, battery energy storage (BESS) and hybrid projects. The role is centred on strong, conventional power-system engineering: taking the electrical design from the inverter, power conversion system or turbine terminals through the collector system, substation and grid connection interface. Renewable energy experience will be valuable, but it is not essential; depth in medium-voltage design and the ability to produce practical, coordinated designs are the key requirements.

You will work across the project lifecycle, from feasibility and concept design through detailed design review, procurement, construction and commissioning. Depending on the engagement, this may include developing design bases and single-line diagrams; performing cable, transformer and equipment studies; preparing cable schedules and technical specifications; building and interrogating DIgSILENT PowerFactory models; developing protection philosophies; reviewing EPC and OEM designs; and supporting site-based testing and commissioning. You will apply sound engineering judgement to balance safety, performance, constructability, operability, cost and programme.

The common thread is technical ownership. You will be comfortable moving between calculations, models, drawings, specifications and multidisciplinary interfaces, while explaining complex electrical issues clearly to clients and project teams. This role will suit an experienced electrical engineer who enjoys solving design problems, setting a robust technical direction and helping others deliver high-quality engineering.

How you’ll make a difference:

• Lead the electrical design approach for medium-voltage balance of plant systems on utility-scale generation and storage projects, including collector networks, substations, auxiliary systems and interfaces to the grid connection.
• Develop and review design bases, single-line diagrams, equipment ratings, cable sizing and derating, voltage-drop and short-circuit withstand calculations, cable schedules, routing, earthing and lightning protection requirements.
• Build and review DIgSILENT PowerFactory models and undertake load-flow, short-circuit, voltage, reactive-power, harmonic and contingency studies appropriate to the project stage.
• Select and review transformers and major electrical plant, including ratings, impedance, vector group, tap range, earthing arrangement, losses and equipment duty.
• Develop and review protection and control philosophies, grading and coordination studies, relay requirements, interfaces, test requirements and commissioning plans.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary inputs, mentor engineers, support client decisions, and provide technical review during procurement, construction and commissioning.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced Electrical Engineer with a strong record in medium-voltage power-system design. Your background may be in utilities, industrial power systems, mining, infrastructure, design and construction, EPC contracting or consulting. Direct renewable generation experience is advantageous, but it is not a prerequisite.

You will be known for your ability to take ownership of complex electrical design packages, work independently and collaborate effectively across disciplines. You will understand how a design moves from calculations and models into coordinated drawings, schedules, specifications, procurement documentation, construction and commissioning. Experience with utility-scale wind, solar, BESS or hybrid projects will help you settle quickly into the role, but we are equally interested in candidates whose core electrical design skills are transferable from other sectors.

Your technical judgement will be grounded in practical design experience. You will know how to identify the governing duty, test assumptions, select appropriate equipment parameters and resolve interfaces between cables, transformers, switchgear, protection, controls and civil or structural design. One of your strengths will be recognising when specialist input is needed and bringing the right AECOM expertise together to achieve a coherent outcome.

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don’t tick all the boxes, you could still be a perfect fit for this role. Please apply, all applications will be considered.

The qualities that help you thrive:

• Significant experience (8+ years) designing and leading medium-voltage electrical systems, typically at 11 kV to 33 kV, across concept, preliminary and detailed design stages.
• Demonstrated cable-system design capability, including ampacity and derating, voltage drop, short-circuit withstand, screen and sheath arrangements, earthing, routing and cable schedules.
• Proficiency in DIgSILENT PowerFactory, with experience undertaking and reviewing load-flow, fault-level, voltage, reactive-power, harmonic or related power-system studies.
• Strong understanding of transformer and switchgear specification, including transformer rating, impedance, vector group, tapping, losses, earthing and equipment-duty requirements.
• Experience developing or reviewing protection and control philosophies, protection grading, relay settings or interfaces, and commissioning requirements.
• Ability to prepare and review high-quality electrical calculations, reports, drawings, specifications, datasheets, schedules, tender documentation and design-review comments.
• Strong client engagement and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and explain complex electrical matters clearly and practically.
• Either registered, or working towards professional registration, on the National Engineering Register in Australia (such as RPEV or RPEQ), ideally supported by Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status or equivalent international accreditation.
• A bachelor degree in electrical engineering or a closely related power-engineering discipline.
• Experience in engineering consulting, design and construction, EPC contracting, utilities or complex industrial projects; renewable energy experience is highly regarded but not required.

Additional Information

Why you’ll love working with us:

• Flexible work arrangements available, aligned with the market and client facing role requirements.
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year.
• Volunteer and representation leave.
• Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better.

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible? We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.