Principal Engineering Technician

Principal Engineering Technician – Perth CBD – Permanent Full Time  

Join Western Power as a Principal Engineering Technician, providing expert technical leadership across transmission and distribution primary plant assets. You will act as a trusted subject matter expert, supporting asset performance, condition assessment, maintenance strategies and complex technical investigations. This role offers the opportunity to influence critical infrastructure decisions, mentor others and drive continuous improvement across Western Australia's network. 

Your Role in Action 

• Working with the OAP transmission plant team, you will be responsible to manage Western Power Transmission indoor switch gear. 


• Plan, supervise/coordinate or carry out activities as required, associated with manufacture, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance/repair of primary plant equipment.


• Carry out technical inspection, scope of works, prepare reports with recommendations and/or arrange necessary action.


• Safety champion with accountability for promoting that all safety regulations and standards are maintained.   


• Plan, supervise, coordinate, and carry out asset management activities to a high level of complexity associated with primary plant.


• Lead design modifications to achieve the right level of performance or safety for legacy assets. 


• Document risk and condition to drive operational or capital expenditure.


• Provide technical advice around tasks, planning, installation, commissioning, construction, operation and maintenance on Western Power assets.


• Analyse and evaluate, electrical tests, inspection reports and maintenance reports to allow assets back in service, or advice required actions to repair and return to minimum safety and operating standards.


• Plan, prepare and provide detailed operations support, including contract administration, contract services and direct support to Primary Plant Engineer.


• Undertake investigations on methods or processes of work, plant and equipment usage, incidents, or accidents, to achieve commercially competitive standards for safety, quality, service delivery, cost and customer satisfaction.


• Carry out audits on primary plant within the Western Power network.


• Take a lead role in mentoring and providing expert guidance and sharing technical knowledge and experience with others within the immediate and wider teams.


• Provide expert advice and support to Substation Maintenance and associated Engineering groups.


• Continuous improvement and innovation within the team and across Western Power.


• Completion of high-level technical investigations on primary plant, to a professional standard for legal scrutiny and presentation if required.


• Lead continuous improvement in online condition monitoring and risk assessment methodologies for indoor switch gear. 

What Makes You a Great Fit 

• Cert III (ESI Distribution / Transmission Overhead / Power Systems Distribution Cable Jointing) and/or Electrical Trade Certificate.


• A diploma or tertiary qualification in electrical/electronic engineering is essential if experience criteria is not met.


• Current Electrical Workers License – essential.


• Preferably 15 + years comprehensive and broad demonstrated technical experience in the Networks business. Hold all appropriate industry licences or certificates of competency in accordance with the Energy Safety Act 2006.


• Extensive technical experience in a Networks business, especially transmission maintenance.


• Extensive knowledge of standards and regulations applicable to transmission assets.


• Reasonable knowledge of other disciplines associated with transmission facilities, including substation, protection, SCADA & communications.


• Demonstrated ability in applying continuous improvement methodologies.


• Must have excellent report writing skills and be able to communicate at all levels.


• Demonstrated ability to mentor and provide technical leadership.


• Good communication skills and customer focus.


• MS Office systems, Word, Excel & or Access. ELLIPSE/MIMS and scheduling/work management systems.