Senior Protection & Control Engineer – Secondary Design

Are you a seasoned electrical engineer with a passion for technical leadership, complex problem-solving and the integration of cutting-edge energy technologies? Join a 24/7 Network Services operation responsible for designing, constructing, and maintaining essential electrical infrastructure across a major electricity distribution network.

This team plays a critical role in delivering reliable energy solutions, managing everything from field construction and network control to design, logistics, and large-scale project delivery.

About the Role
We’re seeking a Senior Protection & Control Engineer – Secondary Design to provide specialist engineering expertise, leadership, and innovation within the substation design space. You’ll be responsible for scoping, designing, and estimating substation projects for both internal and external clients, ensuring technical excellence and alignment with safety, regulatory, and commercial requirements.

Beyond project delivery, you’ll mentor a high-performing design team, shape technical standards, and drive the implementation of modern protection and control systems to strengthen network reliability and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver complex engineering designs for zone and industrial substations, distributed generation connections, and protection systems.
• Lead and mentor the Secondary Design team, fostering technical development and high-quality outcomes.
• Review and approve engineering solutions, ensuring compliance with safety, design, and regulatory standards.
• Innovate and apply emerging technologies (e.g., IEC61850 & SCADA integration, renewable energy systems).
• Drive process improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, safety, and lifecycle value.
• Develop and implement design standards, technical policies, and engineering practices.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration and project alignment.

About You
You’re a hands-on technical leader who thrives on complexity and innovation. You bring proven expertise in substation design, protection systems, and project leadership, along with a commitment to developing others and driving engineering excellence.

To be successful, you’ll have:

• Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical)
• Professional registration (CPEng, NER, RPEV; RPEQ advantageous)
• Extensive experience in protection and control systems design within the electrical utility or power industry
• Strong knowledge of AutoCAD, DigSilent PowerFactory, PSSE or Sincal
• Demonstrated ability to specify, configure and test protection relays from major suppliers
• Experience leading project teams and mentoring junior engineers
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements, OH&S Act, and ‘Safety in Design’ principles
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills

What’s on Offer

• 12-month contract with the potential to go permanent
• Competitive salary package with relocation support to Melbourne
• Join an organisation committed to safety, innovation, and technical excellence
• Work alongside some of the most skilled engineers in the Australian energy sector
• Open to applicants based anywhere in Australia or New Zealand (must hold valid work rights for 2+ years)

If you’re ready to lead, innovate, and make an impact in one of the country’s most critical energy networks, we’d love to hear from you.

At Chandler Macleod, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce where everyone is welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, neurodiverse, people living with a disability and the LGBTIQA+ community.

You can read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion at https://www.chandlermacleod.com/diversity-and-inclusion.