Commissioning Engineer - Utility-Scale Energy Infrastructure

Overview

PowerBase Pty Ltd is looking for experienced Commissioning Engineers to join their team, supporting the commissioning phases of utility-scale energy infrastructure projects across Australia. This role is site-based predominantly in Mermaid Beach, Queensland, with required travel to interstate locations. Engagement may be contract or permanent.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate commissioning activities from pre-commissioning stages through to commercial operation.
• Perform thorough pre-energisation inspections, resolve punch-list items, conduct point-to-point testing, and verify system functionality.
• Commission equipment including battery energy storage systems, power conversion systems (PCS)/inverters, medium voltage power systems (MVPS), substations, protection schemes, and balance of plant (BoP) machinery.
• Provide assistance during energisation, switching sequences, plant start-up, and conduct charge/discharge and integrated system performance tests.
• Conduct detailed battery commissioning tasks such as inspecting containers, racks, and strings; verifying battery management system (BMS) communications and alarms; performing voltage, temperature, insulation, and state of charge diagnostics; testing contactors, pre-charging, and safety interlocks; validating HVAC and liquid cooling systems; and testing fire, gas detection, and suppression system interfaces.
• Test alarm, trip, and shutdown functions.
• Verify and ensure proper integration interfaces between BMS, PCS, plant power controllers (PPC)/energy management systems (EMS), SCADA, protection relays, revenue meters, and network communication facilities.
• Configure, diagnose, and troubleshoot PLCs, SCADA, HMIs, and industrial communication networks.
• Support system performance verification, grid compliance testing, hold point inspections, and reliability assessments.
• Maintain accurate commissioning documentation, test reports, red-line drawings, defect logs, and compile comprehensive handover dossiers.
• Coordinate efficiently with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), EPC contractors, network operators, project asset owners, and other key stakeholders.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Power Systems, Control Systems, Automation, or a related engineering discipline.
• Proven hands-on commissioning experience in utility-scale renewable energy, battery storage, substations, transmission or distribution networks, or power generation projects.
• Demonstrable practical expertise with one or more of these areas: Battery systems and BMS, PCS and inverters, MVPS, balance of plant systems, MV/HV substations, protection and control systems, SCADA, PPC or EMS platforms, and grid interconnection compliance.
• Ability to accurately interpret single-line diagrams, protection schematics, control drawings, network architecture diagrams, functional descriptions, and I/O schedules.
• Familiarity with communication protocols such as Modbus TCP, DNP3, IEC 61850, OPC UA, or similar industrial standards.
• Strong analytical aptitude for fault-finding, troubleshooting, and problem-solving in complex electrical systems.
• Possession of Australian work rights, a valid Construction White Card, and a current driver's license.
• Flexibility to travel extensively to project sites within Australia.

Desired Backgrounds

• Experience at battery original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), PCS and inverter manufacturers, or battery energy storage system (BESS) integrators.
• Work with EPC contractors, balance of plant contractors, transmission or distribution network service providers (TNSPs/DNSPs), market operators (such as AEMO and VicGrid), asset owners, developers, owner’s engineers or consultancies specializing in protection, SCADA, controls, or commissioning.
• Utility-scale commissioning exposure from pre-energisation through to commercial operation phases.
• Experience in protection relay testing, secondary injection testing, high-voltage switching, and managing permit or isolation authority procedures.
• Expertise with grid compliance testing including Generator Performance Standards, R1/R2 testing, grid-forming inverter commissioning, and frequency, reactive power, and system strength evaluations.
• Familiarity with PPC, EMS, and plant SCADA integration and multi-stakeholder coordination involving OEMs, EPCs, networks, and asset owners.

Application Details

Please submit applications detailing the projects commissioned (including MW/MWh capacity), voltage levels handled, battery, PCS, MVPS, protection and control systems commissioned, previous employers, clients, EPC and network organizations worked with, specific commissioning responsibilities, experience with battery systems, substations, protection, SCADA, PPC, EMS, communications, grid connection, and network interfaces (TNSP/DNSP/AEMO). Also include your current location, proof of Australian working rights, availability date, preferred working roster, and salary expectations.