Associate Director – Electrical Engineer in Melbourne

Full-time State/Province: Victoria

Business Group: DCS

Legal Entity: AECOM Australia Pty Ltd

Business Line: Energy

Work Location Model: Hybrid

Operating Group: International

Primary Location: AU - Melbourne, VIC - 8 Siddeley Str

Come and grow with us. AECOM’s Energy practice provides a wide range of advisory, consulting and engineering design services to power and renewable energy clients. Our understanding of the wider energy system - the interconnection between generation, transmission and distribution, storage, and demand - enables us to deliver integrated solutions that support the transformation of next-generation energy infrastructure.

Our approach across Australia and New Zealand to collaborate across technical, design and delivery disciplines enables us to bring capability that is best for project across diverse teams, as well as providing rewarding career pathways based throughout our network of AECOM offices. Actively leveraging our global network, we bring together multidisciplinary teams of engineers, planners and project managers to support major transmission and renewable energy projects shaping the future grid.

Everyone belongs at AECOM. We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

In this role, you will lead 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;
• 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.

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.