Grid Connections Manager

Perth, WA

About the Role

This is a newly created position sitting within our client's Power Engineering Solutions team, reporting directly to the Head of Power Engineering Solutions. The Grid Connections Manager will be the key interface between the internal project and development teams and external stakeholders, including network service providers (NSPs), OEMs, and EPC contractors, to manage grid connection processes across a portfolio of renewable and thermal energy projects.

The role is roughly 50% technical and 50% coordination/stakeholder management. You'll be across three to five projects simultaneously, predominantly at early stage (pre-R0 through R0/R1), and will own the grid connection workstream from initial feasibility through to handover for detailed studies.

• Lead grid connection management across a portfolio of early-stage renewable and thermal generation projects (wind, solar, BESS, gas)
• Serve as the primary technical interface with NSPs (Western Power, Horizon Power, AEMO) and represent the business in grid connection discussions and negotiations
• Conduct initial high-level grid compliance assessments and due diligence, including technical evaluation of OEM power system models, and escalate risk to the project team in plain language
• Scope and manage external grid connection consultants for R0/R1 submissions; review and quality-assure their outputs
• Identify compliance risks under WEM Rules and NEM 5/5 rules and communicate implications to non-technical stakeholders clearly and concisely
• Evaluate OEM technical performance, including grid compliance of new or first-of-kind models not yet deployed in Australia
• Translate technical grid connection findings into business risk assessments for development managers and project teams
• Work flexibly across project phases, from initial feasibility conversations with NSPs through to supporting R0/R1 submissions and commercial contract review
• Coordinate internally across engineering, project management, and commercial teams to ensure grid connection milestones are tracked and risks are escalated early

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
• Hands-on experience performing grid connection studies, either from a specialist consultancy working on behalf of project developers, or from within a TNSP/DNSP conducting internal network assessments
• Working knowledge of grid connection processes under the WEM and/or NEM, including R0/R1 submission requirements
• Familiarity with power system modelling and compliance assessment; ability to critically review consultant outputs and spot issues
• Experience working across multiple OEMs and understanding of the differences in inverter-based resource performance (IBR) between vendors
• Strong communication skills, able to translate technical detail into clear risk language for non-engineers
• Comfortable managing external consultants and coordinating across multiple workstreams simultaneously
  

Highly Regarded:

• Experience in both WEM and NEM jurisdictions
• Background in project development or EPC environments
• Exposure to thermal generation (gas) as well as renewables
• Existing relationships with Western Power, Horizon Power, or AEMO

Beyond technical depth, our client is looking for someone who is a genuine team player: collaborative, adaptable, and able to pivot when project needs change. This isn't a role for someone who works in rigid silos. Projects move fast, customer requirements shift, and you'll need to find pragmatic solutions rather than defaulting to textbook approaches. You'll also need to be able to manage ambiguity, communicate proactively when issues emerge, and engage constructively with stakeholders across technical and commercial disciplines.