Principal Engineer (Projects)

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Review & Assurance 

• Lead and undertake independent technical reviews of project designs, layouts, specifications and engineering deliverables across development and construction phases. 

• Provide technical assurance that designs meet VEA standards, contractual requirements, regulatory approvals and industry best practice. 

• Review and challenge assumptions, performance modelling, layouts, equipment selection and design decisions to optimise outcomes and minimise risk. 

• Support technical sign‑off processes and recommendations to senior management as required. 

Project Engineering (Development & Construction) 

• Provide senior technical input across project development and delivery, including preliminary design, detailed design review, construction and commissioning support. 

• Contribute to and review technical and contract specifications (RFQs, EPC, equipment supply, O&M, grid connection). 

• Support project teams with complex engineering issues, trade‑off assessments and problem resolution. 

• Undertake site inspections, audits and technical reviews during construction and commissioning as required. 

• Provide technical input to acquisition due diligence and new site identification activities. 

Technical Risk Management 

• Identify, assess and advise on key technical risks throughout the project lifecycle. 

• Support Safety in Design processes and review technical risk registers. 

• Ensure appropriate allocation of technical risk within contracts and specifications. 

• Provide clear advice on engineering trade‑offs (cost, performance, schedule, environment, safety, long‑term O&M). 

Permitting, Compliance & Standards 

• Provide technical input to development applications, approval modifications and regulatory submissions. 

• Monitor compliance of engineering designs and delivery against approvals, standards and contractual obligations. 

• Keep abreast of relevant legislative, grid, construction and technical standard changes impacting projects. 

Mentoring & Technical Capability Development (Non‑People Leadership) 

• Provide coaching, mentoring and technical guidance to project engineers and junior engineers. 

• Act as a technical reference point across the team, sharing knowledge, lessons learned and best practice. 

• Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes, templates and standards. 

• Support development of technical capability without formal line management or performance accountability. 

Stakeholder & Consultant Engagement 

• Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders including development, construction, operations, grid and commercial teams. 

• Provide technical interface with EPC contractors, OEMs, consultants and network service providers as required. 

• Review and manage outputs from external consultants from a technical quality and scope perspective (without contractual management accountability). 

Prerequisites:

• Bachelor of Science or Engineering, preferably with a major in Electrical Engineering

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in project engineering within renewable energy or large infrastructure projects.

• Demonstrated experience providing senior technical review and assurance across project lifecycles.

• Advanced project engineering and design review capability 

• Electrical design, SLDs, protection, SCADA and communications 

• Renewable power plant design and performance assessment 

• Construction and commissioning technical support 

• Technical risk analysis and mitigation

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills 

• Clear written and verbal technical communication 

• Ability to mentor and guide others without formal authority

• Stakeholder engagement and influence at senior technical levels

Are you ready to engineer a greener future?