Senior Project Development Engineer/Specialist

Senior Project Development Engineer/Specialist – Full time Permanent – Perth CBD

Shape the investments that shape Western Australia’s energy future

Western Power is recruiting into two areas — Customer Portfolio Development and Grid Portfolio Management — both focused on shaping major network investments in the early stages.

While the teams sit in different parts of the business, they work on closely aligned challenges: developing complex, customer-driven grid connection projects that support decarbonisation and the future energy system.

In this role, you’ll help progress projects before delivery — exploring technical options, contributing to business cases, and supporting investment decisions through to Gate 3.

Your focus will depend on your background and strengths. You may:

• Lead technical solution development and engineering planning
• Contribute to commercial, regulatory and investment case development
• Support multidisciplinary planning and stakeholder engagement

We’re looking for experienced professionals across engineering, project development or investment planning. The scope is flexible and will be shaped to align with where you can add the most value.

Your Role in Action  

As a senior project development engineer/specialist, you will be accountable for driving outcomes, shaping investment decisions, and ensuring high-quality, compliant delivery of project development activities. Your key responsibilities include:

• Coordinate and lead Joint Planning Teams and provide technical input into the options analysis and scope development.
• Actively drive the performance of assigned projects/investment, ensuring compliance with relevant process and framework while effectively managing cost, schedule and scope.
• Demonstrate a collaborative approach to decision making.
• Develop and collate robust and detailed documentation to support investment decisions.
• Analyse and assess technical solutions to planning problems, including costing of feasible options.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective and timely framing of decisions and/or contracts relating to complex network and major customer connections and line relocations.
• Ensure appropriate and robust commercial solutions having regard to risk implications and all engineering requirements.
• Be responsible and accountable for the production and management of accurate capital and/or operational budget requirements associated with complex projects.
• Appropriate escalation of issues within the area.
• Production of concise and rigorous business cases to support customer applications or network solutions.
• Apply a balanced approach to all project development issues, recognising that these challenges are inherently complex and rarely have a single solution. The incumbent must demonstrate strong divergent thinking to explore a broad range of possibilities, alongside convergent thinking to synthesise insights into practical, fit-for-purpose outcomes.

• Ensure all systems are kept up to date and accurate as required to reflect project status, financial information and customer relationship to support governance, reporting and decision-making.
• Apply the Regulatory and Technical rules, policies and guidelines to customer driven and/or network investments and planning criteria.
• Provide high quality data and forecasts with respect to investment proposals.
• Develop, lead and support innovation and continuous improvement initiatives within the Function.

 What Makes You a Great Fit 

• Degree Qualification in Engineering (Engineering Pathway) or a tertiary qualification in a related field (Specialist Pathway)
• Eligibility to CPEng status by Engineers Australia, or equivalent commercial/project experience (Specialist)
• At least 9 + years relevant broad and extensive knowledge and engineering / project expertise with demonstrated technical experience covering the following areas: Planning, design, operation and maintenance of electricity transmission and / or distribution networks, Economic and financial evaluation techniques.
• Well-developed written, verbal and presentation / communications skills
• Sound knowledge of business practices and policies as appropriate.
• Demonstrated sound knowledge of project management principles, including scope, schedule, cost and risk management, with the ability to apply these in complex project development environments
• The ability to apply a balanced approach to all issues faced which are complex and rarely have one solution. Must be able to think and act broadly across the issues faced
• (Desirable) Knowledge of performing load flow and dynamics studies in Powerfactory or equivalent software packages.
• Formal project management training or certification (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2) is desirable but not essential

By joining Western Power, you will contribute to powering a cleaner energy future. We are dedicated to fostering career development and promoting a healthy work-life balance, empowering you to drive innovation as we develop a network that will serve the Western Australian community for generations. You will also benefit from a range of perks and opportunities, including: 

• Over 50% of our employment opportunities are driven by career progression.  
• Flexible work arrangements to support part time work, working hours and working from home arrangements. 
• The opportunity to purchase up to four weeks of additional leave per year. 
• Access to salary packaging, social club activities, and discounted health insurance and gym membership. 
• An award-winning employee recognition and benefits programme. 
• An innovative team culture that’s enabling the transition to renewable energy and decarbonisation.  
• In addition to standard leave, enjoy three wellness leave days each year.
• Access to end-of-trip facilities at our Perth office and South Metro Depot, perfect for cyclists.
• 22 weeks paid parental leave and 5 days of First Nations cultural leave to support family and cultural connections.
• Unlimited sick leave, ensuring you can prioritise your health and wellbeing when needed.

How to apply — Tailored cover letter required

Applications must include a tailored cover letter (1–2 pages) addressing:

1. Your relevant experience in pre‑Gate 3 / front‑end project development and preparing complex investment proposals.
2. Your motivation for this role and interest in the Major Customer environment.
3. How your capability aligns to the Essential criteria.

Applications close on 30 June 2026. 

We value diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and LGBTQIA+ communities. As a WORK180-endorsed employer for women, we are proud of our commitment to inclusion. You can learn more about this through our Reconciliation Action Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan. 

Learn more about Western Power here: About (westernpower.com.au) 

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