Principal Engineer - Secondary and Protection - Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Requisition ID: 102819

Job Category: Energy

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Join a company that is passionately committed to the pursuit of a better world through positive change. With more than 70 years of business and technical expertise in mining, energy, and infrastructure, our 10,000 colleagues in 150 countries tirelessly work toward bettering the industries in which we operate. With practical solutions that are safe, innovative and sustainable, we think globally while acting locally. Are you looking for an opportunity to join a diverse group of professionals who are committed to remaining exceptional? We look forward to hearing from you.

Our energy expertise in the oil and gas sector comprises the entire value chain - upstream, midstream, and downstream; and in the power sector includes thermal, nuclear, waterpower, renewable, hybrid, transmission and distribution, and grid modernization. Join our vision of a low-carbon world and help make positive change!

About the Role

Hatch is seeking a highly experienced Principal Engineer - Secondary and Protection to join our growing Power and Energy team. As Hatch's technical authority for secondary systems, protection and control engineering in Australia, you will provide strategic leadership across transmission, substations, renewable energy, battery energy storage systems (BESS), interconnectors, and major energy infrastructure projects. Working closely with clients, project teams and industry stakeholders, you will play a pivotal role in shaping technical standards, delivering complex projects, mentoring engineers and supporting the continued growth of our energy business.

About You

You are a recognised technical leader with extensive experience in secondary systems, protection and control engineering within the power and energy sector. You bring a passion for solving complex engineering challenges, developing people and building strong client relationships.

As the successful candidate, you will

• Act as Hatch's Australian Subject Matter Expert (SME) for secondary systems, protection and control engineering.
• Provide technical leadership across transmission, renewable energy and energy transition projects.
• Lead technical assurance, peer reviews and governance activities for complex engineering deliverables.
• Oversee the delivery of secondary and protection engineering scopes from concept through to commissioning and operational support.
• Lead the development and review of protection philosophies, relay applications, secondary system architecture, SCADA interfaces and substation automation systems.
• Partner with utilities, developers, asset owners and contractors as a trusted technical advisor.
• Support business development activities, proposals and client engagement initiatives.
• Identify emerging technologies and industry trends to support the growth of Hatch's Power and Energy business.
• Mentor and develop engineers, fostering technical excellence and capability growth across the discipline.

You will have:

• A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent.
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status or equivalent professional registration.
• Eligibility for RPEQ, RPEV and/or NER registration.
• 15+ years of experience in secondary systems, protection and control engineering.
• Demonstrated experience across HV and EHV transmission substations and utility-scale energy projects.
• Strong expertise in protection and control systems, IEC 61850, SCADA, station automation systems and grid connection projects.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and providing engineering assurance on complex projects.
• Proven ability to engage with utilities, developers and asset owners in a consulting or advisory capacity.
• Experience supporting renewable energy, BESS, transmission or major infrastructure projects will be highly regarded.

Why join us?

• Work with great people to make a difference
• Collaborate on exciting projects to develop innovative solutions
• Top employer

What we offer you?

• Global project exposure across complex, impactful industries
• Strong focus on career growth, learning and mentorship
• Collaborative, values-driven culture focused on innovation and excellence

Don't meet every single requirement? You don't need to. At Hatch, we are building a diverse, inclusive workplace that fosters innovation. If you're interested in this role, we encourage you to apply even if your past experiences don't perfectly align with the skills we've listed.

Hatch holds an innovate reconciliation action plan and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Straight islanders to apply. As an accredited Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (WGEA) and Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to fostering a workforce in each of our locations that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate. Within Australia, this includes supporting and encouraging a collaborative workplace and a comprehensive benefit offering. If you have any special needs requirements, please discuss with us and we will do our utmost to accommodate your request. We are managing this recruitment process directly and are not accepting unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies.