Head of Engineering, Wind & BESS Development | Renewable Energy | Perth or Brisbane

Lead engineering assurance for large-scale wind and battery storage projects from first design through to energisation and handover.

• Senior engineering accountability for utility-scale wind and BESS developments
• Design assurance, build assurance and builder engagement
• Leading global renewable energy investor and developer

0n short: A senior engineering leadership role at a leading global renewable energy investor and developer, holding technical accountability for large-scale wind and battery energy storage projects from design through construction and commissioning to handover, directing the engineers and advisers on each project and holding builders to specification. An engineering degree and 15+ years on large wind, battery storage, power, grid or heavy infrastructure projects required.

D’Arcy Weil is recruiting a Head of Engineering, Wind & BESS Development on behalf of a leading global renewable energy investor and developer. The role can be based in Perth or Brisbane and carries senior engineering accountability for large-scale wind and battery storage developments, including:

• Directing the engineering disciplines across the projects, and setting technical direction that is consistent, recorded and well governed
• Leading in-house engineers and external consultants, and overseeing the client-side technical advisory function
• Reviewing design submissions against specifications, contract terms and national codes across turbine, battery, electrical and civil works
• Putting checks through design, construction and commissioning so that each finished asset matches what was approved
• Working with builders and other parties to surface exposures, resolve engineering issues and keep completion on course

The role protects the technical integrity of utility-scale wind and battery storage assets from first design through to handover, through disciplined oversight and constructive engagement with the builders.

The Role

• Technical leadership: Direct the engineering disciplines across the wind and battery storage projects, set technical direction, and make sure decisions are consistent, recorded and properly governed
• Engineering strategy and standards: Set the engineering strategy for the project portfolio, define technical standards, specifications and design principles, and carry lessons learned from one project into the next
• Team and adviser oversight: Lead and develop in-house engineers, build the capability the pipeline needs, and direct external consultants and the client-side technical advisory function
• Design assurance: Examine design submissions for alignment with specifications, contract terms and applicable national codes across turbine, battery storage, electrical and civil works, and decide on technical deviations and change requests
• Build assurance: Put thorough checks through design, construction and commissioning so that each finished wind farm and battery matches what was approved, including inspection, testing and quality regimes
• Grid connection and compliance: Oversee grid connection, performance standards and technical compliance with the National Electricity Rules and network requirements through to energisation, working with AEMO, network service providers and regulators
• Safety and risk: Own technical risk across the portfolio, including safety in design, battery safety and fire protection, and cybersecurity and controls for grid-connected assets
• Cost and commercial engineering: Provide the engineering input to project budgets, cost control, procurement, equipment supply and EPC contract strategy, and assess the technical effect of variations and claims
• Contractor and supplier management: Work with builders, turbine and battery suppliers and wider parties to surface exposures, settle engineering problems and keep completion on course
• Development and investor support: Contribute technical input to project development, due diligence and acquisitions, and brief senior leaders, the board and investors on engineering progress, risk and decisions
• Handover to operations: Make sure assets are handed over with complete documentation, tested performance and clear operating arrangements for the asset management team

About You

• An engineering degree, with electrical engineering preferred and adjacent disciplines welcomed, and chartered status or RPEQ registration highly regarded
• 15+ years on sizeable wind, battery energy storage, power, grid or heavy infrastructure projects, with several years in a senior technical leadership role
• Technical depth from the drawing board through to energisation and operation of complex assets, across turbine, battery, electrical, civil and balance of plant
• A strong working knowledge of the National Electricity Rules, generator performance standards and grid connection requirements in the NEM and WEM
• Experience on the client or owner’s side, reviewing contractor designs and holding EPC contractors and equipment suppliers to specification
• Familiarity with EPC contract structures, turbine and battery supply agreements, and the engineering consequences of variations and claims
• Knowledge of battery safety, fire protection and safety in design, and of cybersecurity and controls for grid-connected assets
• Experience managing engineering budgets, cost control and technical risk on large capital projects
• A proven record leading and developing engineers, and managing external advisers and builders
• A persuasive communicator with mature judgement, able to brief senior leaders and boards and to hold a position with builders, regulators and network providers
• The ability to work independently under delivery pressure

What’s on Offer

• A competitive remuneration package with a performance bonus, and long-term incentive opportunities for senior and key employees
• Ownership of the engineering on flagship utility-scale wind and battery storage projects, from first design to handover
• The backing and scale of a leading global renewable energy investor and developer, with a large and growing pipeline in Australia and overseas
• A lean organisation with clear roles, real accountability and minimal bureaucracy, and direct access to senior leadership
• An in-house academy and development programs for technical specialists and future leaders
• Internal mobility across projects, technologies and countries as the business grows
• International exposure, working with a global network of renewable energy specialists
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• A business with a clear mission to accelerate the energy transition
• A choice of a Perth or Brisbane base

Apply with a CV and a brief profile covering:

• The wind, battery storage, power, grid or heavy infrastructure projects you have led, and their scale
• Your experience in design and build assurance through to energisation
• Your experience leading engineers and managing external advisers and builders
• Your experience with grid connection, performance standards and the NEM or WEM
• Your professional registrations, including chartered status or RPEQ

For a confidential discussion, or for more information, contact:

Ivan Pignataro | Director

D’Arcy Weil

M: 0416 507 856 E: ivan@darcyweil.com

Only candidates with current Australian working rights will be considered. All applications and enquiries will be treated in strict confidence.

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