Senior Protection & Control Engineer

Company description:

Pacific Blue (formerly Pacific Hydro) is a leading renewable energy generator and retailer in Australia, having generated 100% renewable energy for over 30 years.

Today, Pacific Blue owns and operates a high quality and diversified portfolio of wind, solar and hydro renewable energy assets, with a total generation capacity of over 660 MW and a significant development pipeline of over 2.5 GW across Australia.

Pacific Blue also owns and operates two fast growing energy retail brands - Pacific Blue and Tango Energy, with over 180,000 customers across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. Together, this makes Pacific Blue the first 100% renewable ‘Gentailer' in Australia.

Job description:

Join the Pacific Blue team to provide Protection and Control expertise supporting the operation and performance of Pacific Blue operational assets, with the aim to safely maximise asset value across lifecycles, balancing cost, risks and output. The role will also provide critical support for transition of Pacific Blue assets from project delivery to ongoing operations.

Key areas of Responsibilities:

Asset Management

• Assist with the preparation of the life cycle cost and generation models (annually) for operational assets as required.
• Review, witness & inspect the relevant maintenance work at Witness Points and verify the quality of the relevant work at Holding Points, in order to ensure all the quality requirements are fulfilled in the maintenance services.
• Review the maintenance records from CMMS, including feedback into the system to consider as an Asset Management Plan task, routine service tasks or backlog.
• Support monthly reporting of maintenance KPIs, including % of planned activities, backlog activities, defect rectifications, etc.
• Support the 24x7 condition monitoring contracts as required.

Asset Integrity

• Ensure operations remain in compliance with relevant laws, regulations and industry standards. Project manage specific asset upgrade projects.
• Lead technical investigations of faults, assets configuration changes and defects for protection and control assets of each operational site as required.
• Provide support on the testing and monitoring of protection and control systems with respect to Generator Performance Standards and other technical obligations in relation to Grid Connection Agreements.

Asset Performance and Condition

• Ensure asset management systems (CMMS, CM, Task management, Intranet) are effective and reflect best practice asset management.
• Monitor, record and analyse asset condition and performance data utilizing SCADA, meter data & contractors reports to optimise asset availability and reliability via developing appropriate corrective maintenance actions such as inspection, repair or replacement.
• Manage compliance and security of communication systems with TNSPs and AEMO as required and manage site SCADA systems as required across the operating portfolio.
• Support Production team with technical issues and interface with the contractors.

Asset Development and Transition to Operations

• Involvement in asset commissioning, including the input into and review of technical documentation and performance aspects during asset constructions.
• Involvement in Tender Document review of new development assets related to operational aspects as required.

Compliance & Risk

• Identify risks and assist with the management of risks and insurance claims.
• Lead execution of Technical Compliance Programs as per Asset Management Plan.
• Ensure that the Company's compliance obligations are actively maintained, managed and kept up to date with particular focus on cyber security and data protection and the compliance obligations allocated to the position title as identified in the Company's Register of Compliance Obligations (as set out in the Compliance Procedure and as amended from time to time).

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

Knowledge and experience:

• Tertiary Qualifications in an Engineering Discipline (Electrical, Power Electronics/Protection or related discipline).
• Proven experience managing SCADA/Communications and Protection across industrial facilities.
• Preference given to candidates with operations background, and with at least 5+ years' experience working in the renewable energy or power station operation.
• Proven knowledge of Solar farms, hydro power stations, wind farms, generator protection and control systems.
• Health, Safety and Environmental understanding.
• Proven knowledge of Microsoft office suite and computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) and OH&S systems.
• Experience with asset management planning, condition monitoring, reliability, and compliance.
• Ability to routinely travel and occasionally work at heights and in confined spaces

Skills:

• Strong technical skills
• Risk management skills
• Project Management capabilities
• Excellent interpersonal skills

We offer:

In this role you will also benefit from:

• Competitive salary package and project bonus program.
• An always-changing calendar of fun events and friendly competitions.
• Recognition Program.
• Free Employee Assistance Program.
• Discounts to Home Energy.
• Generous Leave options that look after your mental health.
• Modern open plan office with ergonomic standing desks.
• Office location next to Southern Cross Station and tram stops.
• A team that is inclusive and supportive.

Pacific Blue is committed to promoting a work environment where inclusion and diversity are valued, and where people in each of our business units are involved, supported, respected, and treated fairly. We believe that having people with diverse capabilities, ways of thinking and experiences will benefit our team, and bring competitive advantages to our business.