Job Description

We bring the energy!

Through purpose and people – not just through the infrastructure we operate, but through the way we show up for each other, our customers and our communities. The future of energy is in our hands. Let’s shape it together.

Are you ready to make your impact?

As a Principal Engineer Network Planning, you will lead, innovate, plan, and deliver economic and strategic solutions for AusNet’s distribution network, serving 802,000 customers across eastern and northeastern Victoria, and Melbourne's North and East.

Success in this role hinges on your ability to develop, promote, and refine network planning processes, techniques, and systems for efficient management of network assets. You will lead, prepare, and communicate Regulatory Investment Tests and Electricity Distribution Price Reset proposals, as well as DLF and NGERs calculations. Additionally, you will evaluate, scope, and prepare business cases for network capacity, reliability, quality of supply projects, and asset renewal programs. Timely investigation of network safety, capacity, reliability, and quality of supply issues is also crucial.

You will coordinate and build relationships with key internal and external stakeholders such as DEECA, AEMO, and the AER. Your responsibilities will include providing high-quality network studies, constraint analysis, option evaluations, long-term plans, and strategic and technical input to our stakeholders and business.

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement (office/WFH) and is based in Southbank, within the Distribution Network Strategy & Planning team.

This role will deliver real outcomes, including but not limited to:

• Lead comprehensive strategic planning processes to assess network capabilities (long & short-term), assess emerging issues, and identify areas of the network where limitations are existing or expected to emerge in the future, and develop network solution and contingency plans
• Lead the planning for augmentation of the AusNet’s network to maintain bushfire safety compliance with Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter (REFCL) technology
• Lead Distribution Loss Factors, fault level forecasts and development plans for HV and LV networks and contribute to demand and energy forecasts
• Manage delivery of current and emerging non-network solutions required to reduce network demand and generation to avoid/defer network investment
• Advanced commercial acumen, external stakeholder engagement and understanding of regulatory models and new technologies to identify the appropriate solution(s) to address the needs of the network and customers
• Act as the technical subject matter expert for the business in all Network Planning matters and provide mentorship and guidance to team members.

You don’t need to check every box; however, we are looking for a good combination of:

• Relevant qualification and experience in Engineering
• Extensive experience in contemporary electricity network planning, asset management practices and overarching markets
• Expert proficiency in using electricity network analysis tools or relevant software (such as Sincal, PSS/E, PowerFactory and/or PSCAD) and interpreting results. Proficiency programming in languages such as Python being highly desirable
• Proven experience for management of a number of projects simultaneously from conception to implementation and realisation of program objectives
• Detailed knowledge of National Electricity Rules, the energy markets and relevant laws, regulations, rules, licences and agreements
• Comprehension of primary plant, network protection and control devices, with experience in functional design, testing and commissioning of special protection schemes and remedial action schemes, being highly desirable

The AusNet experience is all about…

• Growing your impact We’ll support you to build your career through real opportunities, meaningful work and strong connections.
• Solving some of the most complex energy challenges of our time We love unpacking complex challenges in clever ways and looking at things differently.
• Building an energy future to be proud of We’re a trusted leader, with deep expertise, driven to do what’s right for our communities and customers.

We’re committed to building an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We believe different perspectives are essential to our success, and we encourage all applicants to apply. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’re happy to discuss how we can support you.