Senior Energy Storage Engineer

Zerra develops and operates hyperscale data centre campuses across Australia, Japan and India, delivering capacity at scale into markets driven by the growth of cloud and AI. Zerra's flexible campus developments support hyperscale and neocloud organisations, enabling some of the world's fastest-scaling technology businesses to grow with certainty and ambition.

At Zerra, we empower exceptional people to challenge convention, drive innovation and make a real impact in digital infrastructure. Our culture fuses entrepreneurial agility with global expertise, enabling our teams to deliver results that matter.

We believe that diverse perspectives, inclusive leadership and equitable opportunities are essential to building stronger teams and better outcomes. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to thrive.

Zerra is part of AGP, an independently owned investor and asset manager that develops and operates real assets across the energy, digital and real estate sectors.

Western Downs Digital Park

Western Downs Digital Park (WDDP) is a master-planned digital and energy precinct in regional Queensland, developed and operated by Zerra. Planned across multiple delivery phases, WDDP brings together AI-ready data centres, energy infrastructure and a purpose built campus environment. Located close to major power infrastructure within the Western Downs Special Industry Area, WDDP represents a major investment in Queensland's digital future and an opportunity to help deliver the critical infrastructure supporting the continued growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Job Description

The Senior Energy Storage Engineer will provide technical leadership for the large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems required across WDDP. Reporting to the Technical Director, the role will lead BESS architecture, design assurance and integration with the campus electrical network, high voltage infrastructure, controls systems and operational requirements. The role will act as the principal project specialist for energy storage from concept selection and technical specification through procurement, detailed design, manufacture, testing, commissioning and handover. It will work across engineering, energy, grid connection, commercial, construction and operations teams to deliver a safe, reliable and commercially robust solution.

Responsibilities

• Define the BESS design basis, functional requirements, system architecture and performance criteria for WDDP.
• Lead the sizing and technical evaluation of battery systems, power conversion systems, transformers, switchgear, auxiliary systems and balance of plant requirements.
• Integrate BESS design with the campus high voltage network, data centre electrical architecture, energy management systems, SCADA and grid connection requirements.
• Develop and review technical specifications, single line diagrams, layouts, control philosophies, operating modes, interface schedules and performance models.
• Lead technical engagement with BESS integrators, battery manufacturers, power conversion suppliers, consultants, contractors and network stakeholders.
• Support procurement and commercial teams through bid evaluations, tender clarifications, vendor selection, technical schedules, performance guarantees and warranty requirements.
• Assess battery technology, degradation, augmentation, availability, efficiency and lifecycle assumptions to support sound technical and commercial decisions.
• Ensure the design addresses fire and life safety, thermal management, hazardous conditions, emergency response, isolation, maintainability and applicable approval requirements.
• Identify and manage design risks, interface gaps, long lead constraints, supply chain issues and regulatory dependencies affecting programme, cost or performance.
• Coordinate factory design reviews, inspection and test planning, factory acceptance testing and resolution of technical observations and non conformances.
• Define and support site acceptance testing, commissioning, performance testing, grid compliance testing and integrated systems testing.
• Support operational readiness, training, technical documentation, maintenance strategy and handover to the WDDP operations team.

Experience, Skills and Competencies

• Degree qualification in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, Energy Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience in power systems or energy infrastructure, including substantial responsibility for utility scale or large commercial and industrial BESS projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of battery systems, power conversion systems, transformers, switchgear, protection, energy management systems, SCADA and balance of plant design.
• Demonstrated experience taking BESS projects from concept and technical specification through procurement, detailed design, manufacture, testing, commissioning and handover.
• Working knowledge of battery performance, degradation, augmentation, availability, efficiency, warranties and lifecycle considerations.
• Strong understanding of BESS safety, thermal management, fire and life safety requirements, emergency response and relevant Australian and international standards.
• Experience integrating energy storage with high voltage networks, renewable generation, large energy users or mission critical infrastructure.
• Strong commercial and risk awareness, including technical evaluation of suppliers, performance guarantees, long lead equipment and supply chain constraints.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to coordinate consultants, contractors, vendors, network stakeholders and senior project leaders.
• Chartered Professional Engineer status, National Engineering Register registration and Queensland RPEQ registration, or eligibility to obtain them, are preferred.