Title:  Lead Network Planning Engineer

• Provide distribution network planning & strategic solution expertise 
• Innovate > Engage > Communicate > Influence diverse stakeholder groups
• Careers with Purpose > Collaborative > Inclusive > Flexible Work Environment  

When you choose AusNet, you’ll join genuine people working together making Real. Progress

At AusNet, we’re the link between renewable energy sources and local communities, playing a key role in the clean energy transition and providing essential energy to every Victorian family.
 

Help us lead the way, while enriching your career with real people who encourage you to bring your best and make real impact – for your career, our communities, and Australia’s cleaner energy future.

Purposeful work with genuinely good people. That’s refreshing.

As a Lead Network Planning Engineer, you will plan and deliver economic and strategic solutions to keep the AusNet network and the communities and businesses its serves ahead in a rapidly changing energy landscape.

Success in this role hinges on adeptly navigating the intricate landscape of network infrastructure through comprehensive analysis and strategic planning. One must meticulously assess network constraints, leveraging this analysis to develop viable solutions and augmentation strategies. This involves delving into project scopes, conducting economic assessments, and crafting compelling business cases.

Effective communication is paramount, as evidenced in leading initiatives such as Regulatory Investment Tests and Electricity Distribution Price Reset proposals. Mastery of intricate calculations, such as DLF and NGERs, is essential, as is the ability to synthesise complex data into coherent planning reports like DAPR and TCPR. Additionally, a proactive approach to compliance with regulatory obligations ensures operations align with industry standards while managing risks and ensuring business continuity across all accountabilities underscores the role's strategic importance.

With a Hybrid split (Southbank/WFH), this role is based in Southbank working within the Distribution Network Strategy & Planning team.

This role will deliver real outcomes, including but not limited to:

• Lead comprehensive planning processes to assess network capabilities (long & short-term), assess emerging issues, and identify areas of the network where limitations are existing or expected to emerge in the future, and develop network solution and contingency plans
• Lead the planning for augmentation of the AusNet’s network to maintain bushfire safety compliance with Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter (REFCL) technology
• Lead Distribution Loss Factors, fault level forecasts and development plans for HV and LV networks and contribute to demand and energy forecasts
• Manage delivery of current and emerging non-network solutions required to reduce network demand and generation to avoid/defer network investment
• Advanced commercial acumen, external stakeholder engagement and understanding of regulatory models and new technologies to identify the appropriate solution(s) to address the needs of the network and customers

You don’t need to check every box; however, we are looking for a good combination of:

• Relevant qualification and experience in Engineering
• Experience in contemporary electricity network planning, asset management practices and overarching markets
• Proficiency in using electricity network analysis tools or relevant software (such as Sincal, PSS/E, PowerFactory and/or PSCAD) and interpreting results. Proficiency programming in languages such as Python being highly desirable
• Demonstrated experience for management of a number of projects simultaneously from conception to implementation and realisation of program objectives
• Sound knowledge of National Electricity Rules, the energy markets and relevant laws, regulations, rules, licences and agreements
• Understanding of primary plant, network protection and control devices, with experience in functional design, testing and commissioning of special protection schemes and remedial action schemes, being highly desirable

A real place to belong.
We celebrate unique voices, refreshing perspectives and diversity in our team. Engage and connect through our social club, family day, wide range of events or by joining one of our Employee Network Groups.  

We believe in more than just competitive pay. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Flexibility: whether this is hybrid work, flexible hours, or part time arrangements, we’ll work with you to help balance work and life.
• Leave: more than typical personal leave and a generous 14 weeks of paid parental leave, with no minimum service.
• Community giving: a paid day to volunteer with our social impact partner, Foodbank, or for a cause that matters to you.
• Perks: we offer all the other perks you’ve come to expect like purchased leave, income protection insurance, novated leasing, corporate discounts, private health cover discounts and more.

As an industry in transformation, we’re excited by the possibilities ahead. 

So, if you’re passionate about our purpose and committed to making real progress, bring your energy and join AusNet. Together, we can shape a new way forward.