Senior Commissioning Engineer - HV/Electrical

About John Holland

At John Holland, our purpose is simple – we transform lives with everything we do.

We’ve always known that Infrastructure is about people — our customers, our employees, and the communities in which we work every day.

That’s our difference. Deep experience and capability with a genuine care about creating better lives for people along the way.

Be part of the team that’s up for the challenge of transforming lives for good.

About the Project - Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro

John Holland in partnership with McConnell Dowell (Joint Venture) are delivering the Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project in Far North Queensland. This is an innovative project that involves the world-first conversion of a disused gold mine into a pumped storage hydroelectric power generation facility in far-north Queensland (270km NW of Townsville).

• The project will see the conversion of two existing mine pits into reservoirs, involving the construction of significant underground infrastructure including a large powerhouse cavern and waterway shafts and tunnels to allow the transfer of water between upper and lower reservoirs to generate power during peak periods and return water back to the upper reservoir during off peak periods.
• This project received funding from ARENA as part of ARENA's Advancing Renewables Program and is a gamechanger for the clean energy industry worldwide as it is an entirely new approach to large-scale energy storage.
• This is a FIFO position and will be on a 2:1 roster.

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Electrical Engineer to support the development, design and commissioning of electrical systems for both OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and BoP (Balance of Plant) equipment on KPSH. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing electrical commissioning activities to ensure all systems are tested, verified, and fully operational in accordance with design, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities of the role:

• Develop and implement commissioning plans, procedures, and checklists for all electrical systems.
• Review all design packages to ensure they satisfy the functional intent of KPSH
• Manage OEM and BoP subcontractors for all commissioning deliverables
• Perform inspection, testing, and commissioning of high-voltage (HV), medium-voltage (MV), and low-voltage (LV) electrical equipment including:
• Coordinate and execute loop checks, functional tests, and energization plans.
• Work closely with engineering, construction, OEMs, and operations teams to ensure systems are commissioned according to project schedules and quality standards.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues during pre-commissioning and commissioning phases.
• Support the integration of KPSH with the wider electrical grid, ensuring compliance with grid codes and standards.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards during all commissioning activities.
• Record and document all test results and prepare detailed commissioning reports and handover documentation.
• Liaise with utility providers, regulatory bodies, and third-party testing agencies as needed.
• Manage and monitor preservation and O&M requirements in accordance with the equipment manuals.
• Assist and work closely with the permit team to plan permits and review permit applications.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards during all commissioning activities.
• Record and document all test results and prepare detailed commissioning reports and handover documentation.
• Liaise with utility providers, regulatory bodies, and third-party testing agencies as needed.
• Manage and monitor preservation and O&M requirements in accordance with the equipment manuals.
• Assist and work closely with the permit team to plan permits and review permit applications.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent technical qualification.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in power generation, preferably hydro or pumped storage.
• Strong understanding of electrical systems including HV/MV/LV, protection schemes, and control systems.
• Strong understanding of SCADA systems, PLCs, and control logic.
• Hands-on experience with commissioning procedures, safety protocols, and energisation processes.
• Familiarity with relevant standards and codes
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, single-line diagrams, and technical drawings.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work in field conditions, including remote project sites, with rotating or extended shifts if required.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

As part of the team, you help us deliver on our promise to transform lives

Your success is reflected in ours, so we're committed to being an employer of choice. We pride ourselves on having a diverse and inclusive workplace, as different perspectives and ideas will deliver our long-term success. 

We want you to be with us for the long-term, so providing you with rich career experiences and ongoing development is our priority.

What's in it for you when you join John Holland?

We're about connecting your sense of purpose to ours. We understand that your career is one of the biggest ways to have an impact on the world. We also believe in supporting you as a whole person, not just an employee.

We reward and support our people in so many ways. This starts with being flexible about how different people like to work. From industry-leading leave policies to wellbeing and relationship support, your needs sit at the heart of our employee benefits.

We offer:

• Competitive remuneration with salary continuance, and salary sacrifice options.
• Great leave benefits including 18 weeks paid parental leave with super and up to an extra 18 weeks of super paid on further periods of unpaid parental leave, multicultural leave exchange and two extra days to prioritise your wellbeing.
• Career progression underpinned by our exciting pipeline of work means you'll have the opportunity to work on iconic projects that are shaping cities and communities.
• Learning and development opportunities where you’ll have access to emerging talent programs, building your career through clear career pathways, plus technical and leadership training and development opportunities.
• Inclusion, diversity and equity is part of how we work. We want everyone at John Holland to feel that they belong – that’s why we’re working hard every day to foster a more inclusive culture, backed by a business-wide inclusion strategy to bring about meaningful change. We’ve also got active employee resource groups that support our commitments including those around gender equality and reconciliation.
• Flexible working that works for you as we know flexibility means different things to different people. Whether its flexi-hours, flexi-parenting, flexi-leave, flexi-shifts, flexi-work, we're committed to helping our people work flexibly.