Principal Engineer in Adelaide

CPP is a leading high-voltage infrastructure provider, connecting renewable energy projects to Australia’s electricity grid. As a member of Quanta Services, a Fortune 500 company, we specialise in the design, construction, commissioning, and maintenance of substations, transmission lines, wind farms, and battery storage systems. Established in 1996, we’ve connected more wind farms and renewable batteries than any other company. With over 850 employees and offices in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, we partner with Australia’s major transmission providers to deliver innovative, end-to-end solutions.

CPP has the largest in-house design and engineering team of any contractor in Australia, with over 170 specialists across Electrical Primary and Secondary, Civil, Structural, and SCADA disciplines. We provide end-to-end engineering solutions for high-voltage infrastructure, including nationally significant transmission projects, HV substations, wind farms and battery storage systems that drive Australia’s renewable energy transition.

Our engineers work closely with construction and operations teams, ensuring designs are practical, constructible, and continually refined through real-world feedback. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, we deliver solutions that support a stable, reliable, and sustainable energy future.

The Opportunity: Step into an exciting role as Principal Engineer - Secondary at CPP, where you will provide senior technical leadership while delivering high-voltage substation projects across Australia’s renewable energy and utility sectors. Reporting to the Manager - Secondary, you will work closely with our established secondary engineering team. Bringing extensive hands-on design experience across high-voltage renewable energy and utility projects, you will act as a technical authority, lead complex secondary design outcomes and support the continued development of high-quality engineering capability.

You will remain actively involved in design while providing technical and engineering support to the broader team, mentoring graduate and junior engineers and helping strengthen technical capability across the business. This is an opportunity to influence complex, nationally significant projects while supporting the capability, culture and continued growth of CPP’s Adelaide engineering team.

Qualifications: To be successful in this role, you will possess:

• Tertiary qualifications in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering or an equivalent discipline, with Chartered or Professional Engineer status highly regarded
• Extensive experience designing secondary systems for high-voltage transmission substations
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing complex secondary system design projects across the high-voltage and renewable energy sectors
• Strong end-to-end experience delivering transmission and distribution substation projects, from concept development through to commissioning
• Extensive knowledge of power system philosophies, industry requirements, client specifications and relevant Australian Standards
• The ability to act as a technical authority, resolve complex engineering challenges and provide trusted guidance across multidisciplinary project teams
• A genuine interest in mentoring and developing graduate and junior engineers
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with clients, field teams, suppliers, subcontractors and internal stakeholders
• Experience working within an Australian transmission or distribution utility, or on renewable grid connection projects in Australia, will be highly regarded

Additional Information: At CPP, we value our people above all else. We’re dedicated to investing in and developing your talent to help you reach your full potential. By joining us, you’ll have the opportunity to work on industry-leading projects and access the latest technologies. With a strong history of providing clear career progression, we promote from within, offering pathways from Engineer, to Senior, Principal, leadership positions and beyond.

Benefits include:

• Above-market salary package with annual reviews
• Flexible working options, with the ability to work from home
• Access to study assistance for continuous development, and a strong focus on internal promotions to help you grow within
• 16 weeks paid primary parental leave and 6 weeks paid secondary parental leave
• Up to 2 weeks of purchased leave
• Enjoy a range of salary packaging benefits, including novated leases, airport lounge memberships and exclusive Qantas Club offers.
• Choice between an iPhone or Samsung mobile & design specked engineering laptop and software
• Generous employee referral program up to $4,000
• Access to premium AI subscriptions to help you work smarter, solve complex problems and deliver better outcomes
• Access to an extensive benefits and discounts program with savings at over 400 retailers
• Free Employee Assistance Program for you and your family, supporting physical, mental, and financial wellbeing

CPP is an equal opportunity employer that fosters a culture of achievement, personal development and offers a diverse, safe and supportive work environment.