Project Engineer (1&C)

ACCIONA is a global company, leading in the development of regenerative infrastructure that creates a positive impact on society. Our workforce consists of more than 65,000 professionals, present in more than 40 countries across the five continents, all contributing in our mission to design a better planet. Are you a passionate individual who wants to make a difference, promote sustainable development, and find solutions to the biggest global challenges including climate change, overpopulation, and water scarcity? Come and join us in building the infrastructure our planet needs to achieve a sustainable future.

ACCIONA is a global company, leading in the development of regenerative infrastructure that creates a positive impact on society. Our workforce consists of more than 65,000 professionals, present in more than 40 countries across the five continents, all contributing in our mission to design a better planet. Are you a passionate individual who wants to make a difference, promote sustainable development, and find solutions to the biggest global challenges including climate change, overpopulation, and water scarcity? Come and join us in building the infrastructure our planet needs to achieve a sustainable future.

Job Description

Be part of commissioning one of Western Australia’s most significant water infrastructure projects. This is a chance to build your technical and commissioning capability on a large-scale desalination plant, with exposure to energisation, testing and handover at a scale few projects in Australia can offer.

The Project

ACCIONA is leading the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant in Perth, a $2.8 billion project delivered in alliance with Water Corporation and Jacobs. Stage 1 will produce 150 million litres of drinking water a day for Western Australians. The plant integrates seawater desalination with on-site groundwater treatment, a first for a plant of this scale in WA. Construction is underway, with commissioning targeted for 2028.

The Role

Reporting to the Manager, Commissioning, the Project Engineer (I&C) is responsible for planning, executing and overseeing the commissioning of the plant’s electrical, instrumentation and control systems. You’ll ensure the I&C infrastructure is tested, verified and handed over in compliance with design specifications, safety standards and operational requirements, working closely with construction, mechanical, process, vendor and operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement commissioning plans, procedures and schedules for electrical and control systems, including switchgear, transformers, MCCs, VFDs, instrumentation and SCADA
• Coordinate with construction, mechanical and process teams to align commissioning with overall project milestones
• Conduct pre-commissioning inspections, loop checks and system readiness verification
• Perform functional and performance tests on electrical equipment and control systems
• Validate system parameters such as voltage, current, insulation resistance and protection settings
• Document test results and prepare commissioning reports for handover
• Identify and resolve electrical faults and integration issues during commissioning
• Work closely with vendors and contractors to implement corrective actions and system optimisations
• Provide technical support for modifications and upgrades
• Ensure commissioning activities comply with electrical safety standards, environmental regulations and quality assurance requirements
• Participate in risk assessments and enforce safe work practices during energisation and testing
• Verify compliance with IEC, IEEE and local regulatory codes
• Liaise with project managers, operations staff and equipment suppliers to ensure commissioning aligns with project objectives
• Support training and handover to operations teams for a smooth transition to steady-state plant operation

Required Skills and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Instrumentation & Control Engineering or similar
• Experience commissioning electrical and control systems on water, desalination or process plants highly regarded
• Working knowledge of switchgear, transformers, MCCs, VFDs, instrumentation and SCADA or DCS control systems
• Experience in loop checking, functional testing and system readiness verification
• Familiarity with IEC, IEEE and local electrical regulatory codes
• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to work effectively with vendors, contractors and operations teams
• A genuine safety-first attitude

ACCIONA has been given the Top Employer 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 certification in Australia, which certifies the company’s commitment to excellence in human resources management and those who focus on putting their people first through their exceptional HR policies. Since establishing a presence in Australia in 2002, ACCIONA has made significant investments in local opportunities and project development. ACCIONA employs more than 3,000 people in its renewable energy, infrastructure and water projects across Australia & New Zealand.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and promote equality and diversity. Indigenous Australians and candidates from minority groups are encouraged to apply.