Electrical & Controls Design Manager

About the Role

We’re seeking an Electrical & Controls Design Manager to join our growing Perth-based engineering team, leading the design delivery of a major BESS, PV and substation project.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly accomplished Senior or Lead Electrical Engineer ready to step into a management role with real ownership, influence, and accountability across major renewable energy projects.

Working alongside our in-house engineering and delivery teams, you’ll take the lead across the full design lifecycle from concept and detailed design through to commissioning and handover while managing key technical interfaces across BESS, PV, substations, OEMs and network providers.

If you’ve built strong technical capability on complex projects and are ready to lead teams, drive design outcomes, mentor engineers, and play a key role in project delivery, this is your chance to make that move while staying closely connected to practical, real-world execution.

Based in Perth, we’re also open to exceptional east coast candidates genuinely willing to relocate for the right opportunity.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and govern the electrical and controls design for a utility-scale BESS, PV and substation project, from concept and approvals through to commissioning and handover.
• Own the design deliverables and design review process: SLDs, schematics, cable schedules, equipment sizing, I/O lists, interface registers, calculations, specifications and technical reports.
• Manage substation, protection, control and communications scope (including network/grid interfaces), ensuring designs meet applicable standards and are truly buildable.
• Oversee (and review) power system studies (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, earthing) and validate outcomes using tools such as DIgSILENT, ETAP, CDEGS, or CYMCAP.
• Lead technical coordination with project managers, construction teams, clients, OEMs and consultants to ensure seamless handover from design to delivery, including change control and RFI/clarifications.
• Provide technical leadership through procurement and delivery, including vendor evaluations, technical queries, FAT/SAT, commissioning support and site inspections for BESS, inverters, protection, SCADA/PLC and substation equipment.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

• Career Growth: Be supported with paid training, professional memberships, and clear development pathways.
• Work–Life Balance: We value flexibility, wellbeing, and making sure our people enjoy what they do.
• Recognition: Your efforts won’t go unnoticed — we celebrate our people through awards, milestones, and genuine appreciation.
• Team Culture: You’ll be joining a collaborative, approachable, and forward-thinking crew that embodies our RIPPA values every day.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (essential).
• 8+ years’ experience in electrical and controls design across large-scale BESS/PV, infrastructure, utilities and/or HV substations, with demonstrated technical leadership.
• Strong exposure to HV/MV substation design, grid connection, protection, control and communications, including interface management with NSPs and OEMs.
• Strong grasp of AC and DC systems (PV and BESS), with practical understanding of commissioning, controls integration and site delivery constraints.
• Experience defining and reviewing controls/SCADA requirements (PLC/RTU, networking, telemetry, historian) and interfaces with EMS/BMS and inverter/BESS OEM platforms.
• Proven ability to manage engineers and/or external design consultants, driving programme, quality assurance, and on-time issue of design packages.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence working with clients, vendors, and multidisciplinary teams.