Principal Primary Engineer

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Title:

Play a key role in delivering complex HV substation primary designs across major rail and energy projects.

KBR is seeking a highly accomplished Principal HV Primary Design Engineer to join our expanding national Power team. With major project wins across Melbourne’s transport, utilities and energy sectors — including landmark rail programs such as Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) Linewide and Stations, along with ongoing delivery for major alliances — this senior role offers the opportunity to influence some of Australia’s most significant infrastructure programs.

As a the Lead Engineer, you will serve as a technical authority across a broad range of power engineering disciplines, including HV/LV systems, substations, networks, distribution systems, and system studies. You will lead engineering teams, shape technical strategy, partner with senior clients, and play a key role in strengthening our national delivery capability.

This is an opportunity to help shape Melbourne’s transport and energy landscape for generations while mentoring and developing emerging engineering talent.

What you’ll be doing

Technical Delivery

• Provide technical authority across HV/LV electrical systems, substations and network infrastructure (11kV to 220kV).
• Lead and oversee HV substation primary design (11kV–220kV) including layouts, sections, equipment placement and GA drawings.
• Guide equipment selection for transformers, circuit breakers, disconnectors, busbars, surge arresters and earthing systems.
• Lead and oversee insulation coordination, short‑circuit duty checks and HV equipment ratings.
• Develop and review earthing designs, lightning protection layouts and clearances.
• Ensure compliance with standards, client requirements and rail/delivery frameworks.

Coordination & Collaboration

• Work closely with Secondary, SCADA, E&B and project delivery teams to ensure integrated designs.
• Coordinate with clients, utilities and suppliers during design and construction phases.
• Support design reviews, constructability assessments and safety‑in‑design workshops.

Project Leadership & Client Engagement

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across major transport, energy and infrastructure projects.
• Act as senior technical interface with clients, utilities, rail operators, contractors and suppliers.
• Contribute to design reviews, risk assessments, safety‑in‑design workshops and engineering governance.
• Ensure project outcomes meet technical standards, regulatory obligations and stakeholder requirements.

Business & Team Growth

• Mentor, coach and uplift technical capability within the national Power team.
• Support major proposals, bid strategies and client presentations.
• Identify new growth opportunities, markets and partnerships for the Power business.
• Champion innovation, digital engineering tools and continuous improvement across delivery.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Washington Accord accredited or equivalent).
• Chartered status desirable (or progression toward CPEng / RPEQ / RPEV).
• Proven experience delivering HV substation primary engineering within consulting, rail or utilities.
• Strong technical skills in layouts, equipment specification, earthing and HV design.
• Experience with DNSPs/TNSPs highly desirable.
• Experience of 25kV AC Traction Systems is highly desirable.
• MTM Accreditation (Designer/Checker) — or ability to obtain within 6 months is required.
• Excellent client‑facing communication, leadership presence, and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex scopes, competing priorities and high‑quality outcomes within fast‑paced project environments.
• Commitment to mentoring, professional development and knowledge sharing.

Why join KBR?

At KBR, we partner with our clients and delivery partners to deliver exceptional outcomes — driven by collaboration, technical excellence and our One Team approach.

With nearly 2,000 employees across Australia, we offer:

• Access to iconic projects in Transport, Energy and Defence.
• Genuine opportunities for professional development, certification and career progression.
• A collaborative, people‑first culture where you are valued and supported.
• Flexible work arrangements and work/life balance.
• National career pathways and exposure to multidisciplinary teams.

Join a team where people matter, your expertise is respected, and your work directly shapes critical Australian infrastructure.

KBR Values:

Our KBR Values - We Value Our People, We Deliver, We Are People of Integrity, We Empower, We Are a Team of Teams - embody our people centric organisation.

Our culture, and our genuine focus on our people is a major factor in our success and we want you to be part of our journey. 

Help shape tomorrow by applying today!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to leave your impact on our society with one of Australia’s leading infrastructure businesses. Apply now and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with all the latest news and job opportunities.

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