Commissioning Engineer - Substations

An 80-year group, COBRA promotes its own efficient business model, the result of the combination of decentralization, geographical diversification and technical specialization of more than 20,000 professionals in more than 43 countries. In this way, it offers a wide range of services throughout the value chain of projects, adapted to each sector and to the scope of the contract required by our clients, both public and private. Cobra is divided into four main sectors of activity, Networks, Specialised installations, integrated projects and concession assets.

ACEREZ, a partnership of ACCIONA, COBRA and Endeavour Energy, has been appointed network operator by EnergyCo to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) transmission network. The ACCIONA COBRA Joint Venture (ACJV), the design and construct (D&C) consortium, will design and build the Central-West Orana REZ transmission project.

The Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Transmission Project will build new high-capacity transmission lines, energy hubs and supporting infrastructure to transfer power generated by solar and wind projects to electricity consumers. The new infrastructure is expected to be operational by 2028 and will initially unlock up to 4.5 gigawatts of new network capacity.

The project consists of 90km of 500kV overhead transmission lines and 150 km of 330kV transmission lines for generator connections, stretching from Elong Elong in the west through to Barigan Creek in the east, via an energy hub at Merotherie.

Our Central-West Orana project is currently seeking dedicated Commissioning Engineer – Substations to share their expertise within our growing Energy Hubs and Substations team.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough testing of electrical equipment such as transformers, circuit breakers, protection relays, and control systems to ensure they meet design specifications and operational standards.
• Prepare, review, and maintain detailed commissioning documents, including test procedures, reports, and equipment inspection checklists, ensuring compliance with project and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with project teams, including designers, contractors, and client representatives, to ensure alignment and timely execution of commissioning tasks.
• Identify and resolve issues during the commissioning phase, including troubleshooting equipment malfunctions or system discrepancies.
• Conduct site visits, to perform site acceptance tests and commission existing systems to be ready for energisation
• Implementing the communications scheme, including the program router, firewalls, and network switches to connect substations to control rooms

Required Skills and Competencies

• 5+ years of experience in electrical commissioning, and or working on substation projects
• Strong knowledge of electrical codes, safety regulations, and hands-on experience with high-voltage equipment, relay protection systems, and SCADA integration.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail are essential for troubleshooting and ensuring compliance with industry standards
• Hands on experience with protection relays, and secondary systems (CTs, VTs, CVTs, PIU) Routers and Switches preferred
• Experience in performing secondary injection testing, writing test plans “ITPs”
• Experience in IEC61850 substations communication protocols

Commissioning Engineer positions start in our project office in Sydney CBD, with occasional site visits. Once the project is fully operational, it will transition to DIDO 14 days onsite in camp style accommodation and 7 days off site, on a roster-based arrangement out of The Central West Orana Transmission Line Project

Please note: This position is being delivered as part of a joint venture between two organisations. As such, your employment may be with either of the parent companies, and this will be confirmed during the recruitment process.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. If you believe you bring the capabilities to succeed in this role, we’d love to hear from you. We look forward to continuing to build our supportive workplace together.

Pay: $89,428.05 – $175,816.79 per year

Work Location: In person