Squadron Energy is Australia’s leading renewable energy company that develops, operates and owns renewable energy assets in Australia. With proven experience and expertise across the project lifecycle, we work with local communities and our customers to lead the transition to Australia’s clean energy future.
We are 100% Australian owned and have 1.1 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy in operation and 900MW under construction.
Why work with us?
Our goal is to improve the environment for current and future generations by leading Australia’s transition to renewable energy. Our people are driven by their passion to make a meaningful difference in the world, to their families and friends, and to themselves.
Though we are united by this common goal, we view the tremendous diversity in our team’s cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds as one of our greatest assets. This sense of camaraderie and cross-disciplinary expertise spurs drive and commitment to the growth of our business.
The Grid Connection Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating grid connection activities for multiple concurrent projects across a diverse pipeline of utility-scale renewable energy, energy storage and gas projects. Acting as the organisation’s expert for network connection and integration, this role drives and executes the connection and electrical BoP integration strategy from early-stage development through to pre-construction, commissioning and operation stage.
Grid Connection Manager ensures assigned projects achieve technically robust, commercially sound, and timely connections to the grid, aligned with National Electricity Rules (NER), AEMO requirements, and TNSP/DNSP processes.
The role collaborates closely with internal development, procurement, delivery, operation and commercial teams, and acts as the key external interface with AEMO, NSPs, EnergyCo, and regulatory bodies. The Grid Connection Manager also plays a strategic role in OEM technology selection, regulatory reform engagement, and shaping the organisation’s positioning within Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and future network planning initiatives.
Grid Connection Manager mentors junior team members, reviews technical deliverables, and fosters knowledge development within the team. The role is also responsible for the continuous improvement of assigned internal grid connection processes.
Early Development
Define and lead the project’s connection strategy, including viable connection options and network capacity assessments.
Engage with NSPs, AEMO, VicGrid, and EnergyCo on connection enquiry and potential connection pathways.
Connection Application & Approval
Manage external consultants and internal engineers to deliver high-quality grid connection application documentation.
Lead the negotiation of Generator Performance Standards (GPS) and connection applications process with AEMO and NSP to achieve the best technical and commercial outcome.
Lead negotiations of the connection agreement with AEMO and NSPs, acting as the project’s primary contact.
Provide strategic advice to development, customer and market team, and commercial teams on connection risks and opportunities.
Engineering Design & Procurement
Provide oversight to the detailed electrical reticulation design, connection design and BoP integration strategy with the support of internal subject matter expert and external consultant.
Review grid and electrical engineering related technical specifications in EPC and OEM contracts.
Lead the negotiation of the grid, electrical engineering contract, electrical and grid interface matrix to minimize the project interface risk.
Registration & Commissioning
Lead the R1 grid modelling and generator registration processes with AEMO and the relevant Network Service Providers (NSPs), ensuring compliance with technical standards and alignment with project timelines.
Manage the R2 Commissioning and GPS compliance testing activities during the construction stage.
Operation & Compliance Management
Manage ongoing GPS compliance monitoring. Act as key interface for operational compliance matters with AEMO and NSP, including any incident investigations.
Support the operational team in the development of constraint management strategy.
Review Marginal Loss Factor (MLF) outcomes released by AEMO and independent consultants. Act as the subject matter expert on MLF, providing analysis and guidance to operational and commercial teams.
Technology Development
Stay ahead of technological advancements, emerging grid connection standards, and innovation in inverter, wind, solar, and BESS technologies.
Provide strategic guidance to the organization in the OEM selection process from the OEM and electrical engineering perspective.
Stakeholder Engagement
Act as Squadron Energy’s lead technical representative in discussions with AEMO, TNSPs, DNSPs, OEMs, and consultants.
Represent Squadron Energy in industry forums, technical working groups, and regulatory reviews.
Guide internal discussions on grid connection pathways, risks, and commercial implications.
Technical Oversight and Mentoring
Mentor assigned junior team members and support skills development within the grid engineering function.
Provide technical direction and quality assurance over the work of mentored junior team members within the grid team.
Business and Strategic Support
Contribute technical input to project investment papers, financial models, and board documentation.
Identify grid-related risks and opportunities across the development portfolio and propose mitigation strategies.
General Responsibilities
Health, safety, and environment
Comply with all workplace health, safety and environmental obligations and report any incidents, hazards and accidents to the safety and environment team.
Administration
Ensure all documentation is stored and recorded on the Squadron Energy document management system.
Reporting
Ensure that issues and risks are escalated/reported to management in a timely manner.
Financial
Adhere to Squadron Energy and project procedures for purchasing and expenditure in compliance with approved budgets.
Stakeholders
Maintain a professional relationship with all project Stakeholders.
Company
Ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with Squadron Energy's employee policies and standards.
Technology
Comply with organisational cybersecurity policies, procedures, and acceptable use guidelines, including participation in mandatory cyber awareness training and safe handling of company information.
Champion a cyber-resilient culture and ensure organisational alignment with applicable security frameworks and compliance obligations. Support incident response readiness and oversight of risk mitigation efforts.
Skills and experience
Experience and knowledge
Extensive experience (7+ years) in relevant grid connection engineering and management within the National Electricity Market (NEM), with demonstrated success in managing the grid connection process for large-scale renewable projects.
Strong working knowledge of the National Electricity Rules (NER), AEMO processes (R0–R2), and with a proven ability to negotiate Generator Performance Standards, connection agreements and deliver favourable commercial and technical outcomes.
In-depth understanding power systems analysis, electrical reticulation design, balance of plant (BoP) integration, and generator modelling, including PSCAD and PSS®E modelling.
Strategic capability in assessing grid connection risks and advising on project viability, constraint risks, and network capacity opportunities across a project pipeline.
Proven expertise in grid code compliance, commissioning testing, and operational performance monitoring, including post-commissioning compliance investigations and MLF analysis.
Familiarity with emerging technologies in inverter-based resources, wind turbine generators (WTGs), solar PV inverters, and BESS systems, and their integration into power systems.
Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience representing an organisation in technical forums, regulatory consultations, and bilateral discussions with AEMO, NSPs, OEMs, and government entities.
Demonstrated leadership in mentoring junior engineers, reviewing technical deliverables, and contributing to the continuous improvement of internal processes, systems, and grid connection methodologies.
Skills
Excellent communication and reporting skills, with the ability to prepare and present technical input for investment decisions, board papers, and strategic planning.
Strong multi-stakeholder engagement skill in a complexed business environment.
Ability to communicate technical knowledge in plain English to internal and external stakeholders.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including liaison and negotiation skills.
Strong organisational skills; able to manage complex priorities.
Qualifications
Engineering Degree (Electrical).
Driver’s licence.
To Apply
Squadron Energy is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.
If you want to make a meaningful difference in this world then we encourage you to take the next steps:
• Submit your updated resume outling your relevant experience to date.
• Attach a cover letter outlining your motivations behind applying for this role.
Please Note
Appointment to this position will be subject to reference checks, a National Police Check and other applicable background screening if required.
Squadron Energy does not accept unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies. Any unsolicited CVs received will not be considered, and no fees will be paid for such submissions.
Top Skills
What We Do
Squadron Energy is Australia’s leading renewable energy company that develops, operates and owns renewable energy assets in Australia. With proven experience and expertise across the project lifecycle, we work with local communities and our customers to lead the transition to Australia’s clean energy future.
