Principal Power Systems Research Engineer

Principal Power Systems Research Engineer

Location: Newcastle, NSW, AU Melbourne, VIC, AU

Company: CSIRO

Role highlights

• Great ongoing opportunity to lead high-impact power systems research
• Apply your expertise in modelling, optimisation and energy systems
• Join a nationally prominent team supporting Australia's net zero future!

Australia's transition to a net zero emissions future is reshaping the energy sector, creating a significant need for advanced power systems expertise. This role sits within a program focused on delivering evidence-based research to support the evolution of electricity systems, renewable integration, and energy infrastructure at a national scale.

In this role, you will lead and contribute to applied research across power system modelling, control and optimisation. You will design and deliver complex research programs and partner-led projects, developing innovative approaches to address real-world challenges in electricity networks and renewable energy integration. Your work will directly inform industry, government and market operators, contributing to a reliable and sustainable energy future.

As a Principal Power Systems Research Engineer, you will also play a key role in shaping research direction and identifying new opportunities, including collaborative and funded initiatives. Working with a broad range of stakeholders across industry, academia and government, you will build and maintain strong relationships while influencing outcomes at a national level. Internally, you will provide technical leadership, mentor colleagues, and guide multidisciplinary teams in delivering impactful research outcomes.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in electrical power systems, strong capability in modelling and analytical techniques, and a track record of delivering applied research or industry projects. You will be comfortable operating with a high degree of independence, translating complex technical concepts into practical solutions, and engaging with diverse stakeholders to achieve meaningful impact.

If you're passionate about advancing Australia's energy transition and applying your expertise to solve complex, real-world challenges, this is a great opportunity to contribute to nationally significant research, and we would love to hear from you!

Your high-level duties will include:

• Conducting (and guiding others in) modelling and simulation studies of Australia's current and next-generation electricity generation, transmission and distribution systems (in near real-time and longer-term timeframes).
• Developing approaches and techniques for solving grid challenges associated with renewable energy integration, managing battery systems or distributed energy resources. This will include benchmarking data models, and deployment and testing of these techniques in real-world, large-scale deployments.
• Contributing to setting priorities and new directions in research for Australia's power systems including the grid challenges associated with renewable energy integration.
• Interacting and collaborating with diverse industrial and research partners, including network service providers, universities, energy market and power system operators, start-up companies, and others.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to clients, utilising knowledge and understanding of clients' underlying needs, as well as identifying and adapting quickly to changes in their needs and market directions.
• Providing scientific leadership and setting project goals within the Research Unit's research direction and manage the delivery of project outcomes.
• Undertaking leading edge scientific research and maintaining active research collaborations in order to access/share leading edge concepts and technology to advance project goals.
• Leading the strategic research component of projects, contributing original ideas and concepts, and determining the most appropriate strategies to achieve project goals.

Location and office arrangements: Newcastle, NSW (preferred) or Melbourne VIC may be considered

Salary: AU$163K - AU$180K per annum plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite; Full-time (preferred) - part-time and flexible work arrangements may be considered based on needs of the role and individual circumstances.

Reference: 103216

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• A PhD, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and demonstrated research experience, in Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or related fields, with a focus on power systems engineering.
• Demonstrated hands on industry experience (direct or close engagement) and current practical knowledge in power system modelling, planning, operations, system security, optimisation and/or control (transmission/distribution and/or DER integration), with proven ability to apply these capabilities to practical, real-world challenges.
• Demonstrated proficiency in transmission and/or distribution network simulation and analysis using industry-standard software platforms such as PowerFactory and/or PSS E etc.
• Proficiency in at least one relevant programming environment (e.g., Julia, Python, OpenDSS, MATLAB) for large-scale modelling and simulation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including a demonstrated publication history of authorship on scientific papers in peer reviewed journals and/or reports, grant applications or inventorship on patent applications.
• Demonstrated ability to foster collaboration across teams and provide leadership/mentoring that supports capability development and a positive, inclusive team environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading and delivering complex research or engineering projects (including multi-partner and/or multi-disciplinary collaborations), with evidence of setting direction and achieving impactful outcomes.
• Evidence of building and leveraging strong stakeholder networks and influencing outcomes with industry/government/academia, including progressing technically complex and sometimes contentious proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific research problems, and an enthusiasm for applied research solving current problems for commercial partners.

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don't let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens, New Zealand Citizens, and Australian Permanent Residents.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.