Lead BESS Commissioning Engineer Australia
Full-time
NHOA Group
About NHOA Energy NHOA Energy are a pioneer of utility-scale grid-connected Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), granting world-class power supply of firmed renewable energy into the grid.By leveraging our technology edge, superior engineering, strategic partnerships, and global procurement, NHOA Energy provides leading solutions and value to project owners across the world. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, and with Australian headquarters in Perth, NHOA Energy has a global presence: operating in more than 26 countries worldwide with 39 operational sites and employing experts from more than 26 nationalities. Position: Contract Type and Work Location We are seeking an experienced Commissioning Engineer to join NHOA Energy on a fixed-term full-time contract aligned to the commissioning schedules of the Hallett and Culcairn BESS projects, with the potential for extension subject to project requirements. The primary assignment will be the commissioning of the Hallett Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in South Australia. Subject to individual performance, business requirements and project timing, the successful candidate may have the opportunity to transition to the Culcairn BESS project in New South Wales following completion of the Hallett commissioning activities. The role will be structured as follows:
- Hallett BESS (South Australia): The role is primarily site-based, with the Lead Commissioning Engineer permanently present at the Hallett BESS project in South Australia (near the Clare Valley region) through commissioning, project completion and handover.
- Potential future assignment: Subject to satisfactory performance, mutual agreement and project requirements, the successful candidate may be offered the opportunity to transition to the Culcairn BESS project in New South Wales (near Albury) through commissioning, project completion and handover.
- Other travel: Some travel to the Perth office may be required for onboarding, planning and handover activities, and a mandatory onboarding programme at NHOA Energy’s headquarters in Milan, Italy, is required prior to site mobilisation (see “Italy Onboarding Programme” section below).
- Office Location: Between projects, if there is a period of office-based activities, the Lead Commissioning Engineer will be assigned to NHOAs Melbourne office.
- Key team introductions: working time with Italy-based Control Engineering, Software Engineering, Project Engineering, and Testing & Commissioning teams.
- Commissioning procedures and tools: NHOA commissioning methodology, ITR structure, SiteMate and DoneSafe.
- Factory and test bench activities: product testing and FAT activities at the Cosio Valtellino facility, if available during the Onboarding program.
- NHOA BESS architecture: PEMS Core, Power Island, PCS integration, BMS, and PPC.
- Control system and software: PEMS Core control software, HMI/SCADA (WinCC), PLC environment (TIA Portal/S7), standard commissioning configuration workflows.
- Act as the permanent on-site technical coordinator for commissioning, maintaining continuity between rostered NHOA specialists arriving from Italy, including structured handovers at each roster change.
- Act as deputy to the Commissioning Manager when they are unavailable, retaining technical coordination of commissioning activities on site, with support from the Project Engineer and Engineering Manager when attending site.
- Coordinate and manage day-to-day commissioning activities between NHOA resources, the General Contractor, OEMs and suppliers (batteries, PCS, control system and other equipment suppliers), and subcontractors.
- Prepare and maintain short-term commissioning look-ahead plans, aligned with the master schedule set by the Commissioning Manager, and run daily coordination and toolbox meetings on site.
- Act as the on-site link to the office-based Project Engineer and Italy-based Engineering Manager, relaying technical queries, design clarifications and site conditions and tracking them to closure.
- Plan and coordinate the arrival, tasking and logistics of visiting specialists and commissioning technicians so that their time on site is used effectively.
- Support the Commissioning Manager in coordinating commissioning activities with AEMO and the NSP, including energisation, hold-point, witnessing and notification requirements.
- Support commissioning and compliance testing in line with the National Electricity Rules (NER) and the Generator Performance Standards (GPS), including preparation of test evidence and records.
- Provide the day-to-day on-site technical interface with the project owner’s representatives on commissioning matters, escalating issues to the Commissioning Manager and Project Engineer as required.
- Support the handover from construction to commissioning, participating in walk-downs, punch-list reviews, quality dossier checks and verification of pre-energisation prerequisites.
- Support and witness inspection, testing and commissioning of BESS, power conversion systems (PCS), Power Plant Controller (PPC), SCADA, communications, protection and plant-level integration, in accordance with approved procedures and test plans.
- Conduct on-site testing of NHOA equipment and systems, such as:
- Configure and test NHOA PEMS Core control system on-site: I/O verification, control loop testing, and communications commissioning
- Support firmware and software updates to PCS, PEMS Core, and SCADA in coordination with Italy-based teams.
- Completing and verifying the associated test records, reports and documentation.
- Track and manage commissioning issues, defects, punch items and non-conformances, driving resolution with the General Contractor, OEMs and suppliers.
- Assist in managing commissioning change requests, including firmware, software and configuration updates, ensuring they are documented, approved, implemented and re-tested.
- Support the development of commissioning procedures, test plans and checklists, and capture lessons learned for future NHOA projects.
- Prepare brief daily and weekly commissioning progress reports, including progress against schedule, risks, issues and outstanding actions, for the Commissioning Manager and Project Engineering.
- Maintain accurate site commissioning records, including test results, as-commissioned data, redlines and handover documentation.
- Support operator training and knowledge transfer on the BESS, PCS and PPC to the client’s operations team.
- Take care of your own health and safety and that of others, follow instructions and procedures, use PPE correctly, and stop work if conditions are unsafe.
- Follow all HSE and site requirements, including Australian WHS legislation. Complete necessary training and inductions, follow permit-to-work and emergency procedures, and participate in HSE meetings, audits, and inspections.
- Support commissioning safety readiness, including energisation plans, isolations, lock-out/tag-out, permits and stakeholder notifications.
- Conduct risk assessments, report hazards, incidents, and equipment defects promptly, and ensure proper disposal of all waste materials.
- Unrestricted working rights in Australia (mandatory).
- Current, valid Australian driver’s licence (mandatory).
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering or a related discipline.
- At least 5 years’ experience in the commissioning of utility-scale BESS, renewable power generation and/or high-voltage substations in Australia.
- Proven on-site experience on MW-scale power plants in Australia, including coordinating multiple contractors and suppliers in a live construction and commissioning environment.
- Working knowledge of Australian electrical codes, standards and regulations (including relevant AS/NZS standards), the National Electricity Rules (NER) and Generator Performance Standards (GPS).
- Good skills in reading and verifying electrical drawings, single line diagrams and protection and control schemes.
- Strong coordination, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with General Contractors, OEMs, suppliers, network service providers and clients, and in an international, multicultural team.
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting aptitude, able to prioritise and plan tasks and adapt quickly to changes in a fast-paced environment.
- Willingness to be based on site for extended periods at remote project locations in Australia, and to relocate between Australian projects as required.
- Current Australian general construction induction (White Card) or willingness to obtain one prior to mobilisation, and the ability to meet site-specific induction requirements.
- Hands-on experience with PLC programming tools (TIA Portal/S7 or equivalent) is desirable, such as familiarity with SCADA/HMI tools (WinCC or equivalent), with BESS industrial communication protocols (Modbus TCP/RTU, IEC 60870-5-104, DNP3, and OPC-UA) and ability to interpret control software documentation (I/O lists, HW architecture diagrams, software specifications).
- Experience with Elspec PQSCADA Sapphire or similar, with knowledge and ability to download, interpret and share necessary data to HQ based team or grid consultants.
- Current Australian Electrical Licence and/or HV Switching qualifications are advantageous.
- Opportunity to contribute to major utility scale renewable energy projects in Australia.
- Gold-tier comprehensive health insurance for you and dependents.
- Novated leasing & salary packaging.
- Bonus leave for volunteering, blood donation, and more.
- Work with industry leaders on cutting-edge BESS projects that transform the Australian grid.
Vacancy posted 14 hours ago
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