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
ACCIONA Mechanical & Electrical is a specialist division within ACCIONA, delivering end-to-end mechanical and electrical design, construction, installation and commissioning services that support the transition to a low-carbon future.
With a strong presence across Australia, we contribute to some of the nation’s most impactful infrastructure projects — from renewable energy and transmission networks to sustainable transport systems and water infrastructure. Our work is grounded in ACCIONA’s global commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social progress.
We’re looking for passionate professionals who want to help shape a better planet through smarter, cleaner infrastructure. If you’re ready to be part of a purpose-driven team building the foundations of a more sustainable Australia, we’d love to hear from you

Benefits

• Australian Location – Flexible depending on the applicant’s location
• Annual pay review and discretionary bonus
• Professional development opportunities
• Income protection
• Salary packaging and Novated leases
• Competitive paid parental leave

The Position
As the Principal Electrical Secondary Systems Engineer, you will be a senior technical leader responsible for the end-to-end design and delivery of high-voltage (HV) secondary systems for substations and transmission infrastructure.
In this role, you’ll lead complex engineering projects, provide expert guidance on HV design standards and compliance, and ensure all solutions meet regulatory, safety, and quality requirements. You’ll collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams — including civil, structural, primary systems, and power systems engineers — to deliver integrated, future-ready infrastructure for clients in the power, renewable energy, and transport sectors.
Working within an EPC or D&C environment, you’ll gain invaluable experience across the full project lifecycle, including construction and commissioning, while contributing to projects that support Australia’s transition to a more sustainable energy future.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full design lifecycle of complex systems, from concept through integration and validation, resolving design conflicts and enuring systems meet performance, reliability, and regulatory standards
• Lead the development of innovative and sustainable designs aligned with client and industry expectations
• Apply RAM principles to enhance system maintainability, availability, and reliability using advanced modelling and simulation tools to validate complex system designs
• Lead Value Engineering and Whole of Life assessments to improve cost-effectiveness
• and sustainability
• Resolve major design control challenges and proactively improve design quality and efficiency
• Align systems engineering with project objectives, leading collaboration across engineering disciplines for integrated design
• Lead problem-solving efforts for complex technical challenges, balancing project constraints such as cost, time, and quality, identifying and implementing innovative solutions to optimise designs, improve constructability, and enhance operational performance
• Proactively identify and address design flaws and construction issues, aiming to optimise project performance

Required Skills and Competencies

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering
• Chartered Status (including RPEV, RPEQ, NER & CPEng), or the ability to achieve within 6 months of commencing, is desirable
• 10+ years’ senior experience in HV substation and secondary system design (including 220kV or higher), with a preference given for candidates with 5+ years in field-based roles
• Expertise in protection studies, SCADA systems, and advanced protection schemes (e.g. line differential, distance, busbar)
• Trusted technical advisor across multiple projects, with a collaborative approach to transmission protection systems.
• Passion for innovation in digital substations, IEC 61850 integration, and wide-area monitoring
• Skilled in fault analysis, relay coordination, and protection settings.
• Supportive leadership during FAT, SAT, and commissioning phases.
• Proficient in PSCAD, PowerFactory, ETAP, and SEL AcSELerator.
• Familiar with IEEE, IEC, and local grid codes; aware of cybersecurity in protection systems
• Tier 1 or Tier 2 contractor and/or TNSP experience is highly regarded

ACCIONA Mechanical & Electrical is growing, and we’re excited about what’s ahead. If this particular role isn’t the right fit for your skills and experience, but you have a background in transmission or substations, we’d still love to hear from you. Reach out directly to Michelle Ackland at michelle.ackland@acciona.com — we’re always keen to connect with passionate professionals who share our vision for sustainable infrastructure.
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

• Manage the full design lifecycle of complex systems, from concept through integration and validation, resolving design conflicts and enuring systems meet performance, reliability, and regulatory standards
• Lead the development of innovative and sustainable designs aligned with client and industry expectations
• Apply RAM principles to enhance system maintainability, availability, and reliability using advanced modelling and simulation tools to validate complex system designs
• Lead Value Engineering and Whole of Life assessments to improve cost-effectiveness
• and sustainability
• Resolve major design control challenges and proactively improve design quality and efficiency
• Align systems engineering with project objectives, leading collaboration across engineering disciplines for integrated design
• Lead problem-solving efforts for complex technical challenges, balancing project constraints such as cost, time, and quality, identifying and implementing innovative solutions to optimise designs, improve constructability, and enhance operational performance
• Proactively identify and address design flaws and construction issues, aiming to optimise project performanc