Associate Director - Multiple Teams

Job Description

In this Associate Director - Electrical Engineer, you will leading the technical electrical design and delivery requirements 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: leading the approach to take 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; however it is not essential – what will be important is your leadership and depth of experience in medium-voltage design and the ability to produce practical, coordinated designs.

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.

This role has the scope to be based in any of AECOM's key office locations throughout Australia. 

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 with direct renewable generation experience being advantageous.

You will be known for your leadership 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, 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 (12+ 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’s 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

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.

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AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we, our clients and our communities live and work around Australia. We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses.  Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.