Engineering & Commissioning Manager

Commissioning Manager

Private Energy Partners (PEP) is a dedicated affiliate of Quinbrook, a specialist investment manager focused exclusively on the infrastructure needed to drive the energy transition in Australia, North America and the UK/Ireland. We are specialist project developers, builders, and operators supporting the delivery of innovative energy infrastructure solutions that create long-term value for Quinbrook and its many stakeholders

The Role:
The Supernode program comprises a series of large‑scale energy storage and data‑centre‑integrated infrastructure projects located in Brendale, QLD, adjacent to Powerlink’s South Pine 275 kV bulk supply substation. Supernode Stages 1 and 2 are under construction, Stage 3 is approaching final investment decision, and future stages are progressing through development. 

Reporting to the Supernode Program Director, the Engineering & Commissioning Manager is responsible for leading, coordinating, and delivering all engineering and commissioning activities across the Supernode program. This includes Stages 1–5 and associated data centre and grid‑connected infrastructure developments.

This role is critical to ensuring that all technical, engineering, commissioning, and grid‑connection activities are executed safely, compliantly, and in alignment with delivery, risk, and performance expectations. It requires deep coordination between internal technical teams, project managers, external engineering consultants, OEMs, Network Service Providers, and contractors to ensure successful energisation, R2 compliance, and final handover to operations.

Key Accountabilities:
Engineering Leadership & Technical Governance

• Lead all engineering activities for the Supernode program across Stages 1–5, ensuring alignment with project scope, technical standards, and regulatory requirements. 
• Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering reviews, including design validation, constructability assessments, and technical compliance checks.
• Oversee development and maintenance of technical documentation, engineering registers, drawings, and change‑control processes in accordance with PEP documentation standards.
• Manage engineering consultants and OEM technical interfaces to ensure timely and high‑quality deliverables.

 Commissioning & Energisation Management

• Develop commissioning strategies, commissioning plans, SAT/FAT protocols, energisation procedures, and test schedules.
• Lead commissioning teams and coordinate all commissioning activities to achieve safe and compliant energisation of Supernode assets.
• Oversee R1 and R2 testing processes in coordination with internal grid specialists, OEMs, and external consultants.
• Ensure all commissioning activities meet requirements of the Network Service Provider (Powerlink), relevant standards, and statutory obligations.

Grid Connection and Power System Integration

• Coordinate modelling inputs, technical submissions, and testing deliverables required for grid connection and performance validation.
• Work closely with the grid team to manage connection enquiry, application, offer, and compliance milestones.
• Liaise with Powerlink and other regulatory bodies to ensure technical alignment and timely approvals.
• Support resolution of grid‑related technical issues during construction, commissioning, and early operations.

Project Delivery, Planning & Risk Management

• Support the Supernode Program Director by providing engineering and commissioning inputs into schedule, cost, risk, and performance reporting.
• Identify and manage technical risks, proposing mitigation strategies aligned with PEP’s delivery framework. 
• Contribute to investment approval papers, governance updates, program reviews, and internal reporting processes.
• Facilitate engineering and commissioning integration with procurement, construction, and operations teams to ensure seamless project progression.

Stakeholder, Contractor & Vendor Management

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal teams, OEMs, engineering consultants, commissioning contractors, and regulatory authorities.
• Support Powerlink, Council, OEM and contractor engagement to ensure technical, commissioning, and compliance requirements are met.
• Review and assess technical proposals, supplier submissions, and long‑lead items in coordination with procurement and commercial teams.

Safety, Environment & Compliance

• Ensure all engineering and commissioning activities comply with HSE policies and project‑specific safety directives. 
• Embed safe‑design principles into all engineering and commissioning processes.
• Support environmental and planning compliance obligations related to technical and site‑based commissioning works.
• Promote safety culture across engineering and commissioning teams and contractors.

Handover, Operations Integration & Performance Validation

• Manage transition from commissioning to operations, including documentation, as‑built verification, training, and warranty processes.
• Lead technical issue resolution during defect periods and early‑operations troubleshooting.
• Ensure performance testing aligns with contractual, regulatory, and operational readiness requirements.

Experience:

• Essential: 5+ years’ experience in commissioning or engineering delivery for HV infrastructure, substations,   BESS, or similar large‑scale   industrial assets.
• Essential: Demonstrated experience planning and executing commissioning and energization of high‑voltage systems, including liaison with NSPs.
• Preferred: Experience in grid‑connection processes including PSCAD/PSS/E modelling, R1/R2 testing, and NER compliance.
• Preferred: Experience managing engineering teams, external consultants, and OEMs within large,   multidisciplinary project environments.

• Preferred: Experience working in major program environments with significant cost, schedule, and performance governance.

Education:

• Essential: Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics or relevant engineering discipline.

• Preferred: CPEng/RPEQ or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Preferred: Formal project management qualification

Capabilities:

• Strong communication and technical writing skills.
• High‑level analytical and problem‑solving capability.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in high‑performance engineering and delivery teams.
• Proficiency in engineering software tools and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong knowledge of management of change processes.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships across technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Personal Attributes:

• High personal drive, ownership, and motivation to deliver complex engineering outcomes. 
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder‑engagement skills. 
• Resilience adaptability, and the ability to manage competing technical priorities.
• Passion for energy infrastructure, engineering excellence, and high‑quality execution.