Unleash your potential with an engineering or operational technology graduate program and be a part of creating Queensland’s energy future.
Unleash your potential with a graduate program in engineering, operational technology or environment, and be a part of creating Queensland’s energy future.
Imagine if you could say you played a pivotal role in Queensland’s energy transformation in your first job out of university. Kicking off your career with Powerlink’s graduate program is all it takes to set up life-long possibilities for a fulfilling career.
Queensland is facing a once-in-a-generation energy transformation and as the transmission network service provider, there’s never been a better time to join Powerlink.
We offer dynamic programs in engineering, operational technology and environment (science/engineering) that will give you the best possible grounding for a career in electricity transmission delivering Queensland's clean energy future.
It’s an exciting time to be a Powerlink’s graduate!
Offered across both at a Graduate Engineer (Electrical & Civil) and Graduate Engineering Officer (Electrical) level, our engineering programs offer unique opportunities to grow and build your skills & knowledge through diverse rotations.
We welcome graduates with degrees or double degrees in Civil, Electrical & Mechatronic engineering who are passionate about the power system and are keen to develop a career in energy.
We offer dynamic programs, from 2-4 years, with placements across a range of 50+ teams rotating through four core areas: Systems, Design, Field and Delivery/Projects. Additional elective options are also on offer, before we support your transition into a role off-program within Powerlink.
With a range of teams and distinct activities within them, these are some of our main rotation areas:
You’ll focus on how technology, strategy and future planning coming together to play a key role in the power system, working alongside some of the leading minds in their field, with a front row seat in the energy transition in teams including Grid Planning, Portfolio Planning & Optimisation, Renewable Connections, Synchronous Connections, Power System Performance, Asset Management Systems, Substation Strategies, Lines Strategies, Secondary Systems & Telecommunications Strategies, Operations Planning, Incident Management and Strategic & Future Network Operations.
Working alongside our highly experienced in-house design engineers, you’ll gain valuable experience in core design principles and their application to Queensland’s high-voltage transmission network, in teams including Protection Systems Design, Secondary Systems Design, Substation Design, Lines Design, Telecommunications Design and Major Projects Design.
Gaining valuable time in the field, you’ll be out and about - with the opportunity to travel onsite to projects and gain firsthand experience in the delivery and commissioning of new assets or through applied operational engineering and maintenance of our network with teams including Delivery, Commissioning, Telecommunications Commissioning, Asset Integrity & Performance Solutions, Primary Systems Field Engineering and Secondary Systems Field Engineering.
As part of the teams delivering some of the states largest energy infrastructure projects, you’ll gain skills and experience in project management, construction and project engineering in teams including Network Customer Solutions, Regulated Projects, Construction, Construction Methodologies, Design Management, Major Customer Projects, Major Projects Delivery, CopperString Project Construction and CopperString Project Engineering.
Our operational technology graduates rotate across a 5-year program, within our Energy and Digital Management group, building knowledge and capability in digital and telecommunication networks, energy management systems, network management applications and cyber security.
You’ll have the opportunity to rotate through:
Our OT Cyber Security team protect Powerlink’s considerable asset base from a dynamic cyber security threat landscape.
Our Energy Management Systems team is responsible for 24x7 support of Powerlink’s Energy Management System, which is the system we use to control the whole Queensland transmission network. The system utilises SCADA to remotely control and interrogate substation equipment.
Our Network Management Applications team is responsible for the 24x7 support and development of real-time and near-real time applications used for operation of Powerlink's electricity network.
Our System Integration team is responsible for the 24x7 support of operational technology infrastructure for both the network operations control room and substation services.
Our Digital Telecommunication Networks team is responsible for the 24x7 support of the operational digital and telecommunication networks including the configuration, performance and fault management of all Powerlink telecommunications DWDM, SDH and PDH networks to satisfy Powerlink's operation and commercial obligations.
Our environment graduates rotate across a 3-year program, building knowledge and capability in compliance and risk, approvals, property, easement maintenance, asset planning & design, operations, safety, compliance and environmental management.
With more rotations being added, you’ll currently have the opportunity to rotate through:
Our Environment team partners with the whole business to minimise our impact on the planet whilst we strive to deliver a world class energy future for Queenslanders. We do so through the provision of practical, specialist advice that enables Powerlink to proactively manage environmental risks and remain compliant with legislative requirements. Our specialist knowledge allows us to obtain the environmental approvals required to connect the new wave of renewable energy providers. We maintain Powerlink’s environmental management system and influence how work is done to embed a sustainable approach to our activities. Our team is split between the southern, central and northern regions. An emphasis on teamwork and continuously building a diversity of strengths allows us to remain effective in a dynamic environment.
Our Operational Engineering group’s core function is to ensure operational asset integrity, which means that the network assets are safe, reliable, compliant and fit for purpose.
The group is responsible for the planning, design, and optimisation of the network operational assets, as well as the management of the operational risks and issues. Operational Engineering also works closely with our Energy Digital Management Group to leverage data and insights to improve the asset management and operational performance of the network.
With a diverse range of development opportunities, you’ll have the opportunity to unleash your potential and explore every possibility, because at Powerlink, it all starts with you.
The power of growth and continuous learning is at the core of your personal and professional development and our collective success. Whether it’s a within a rotation, our mentoring program, a workshop, an innovation challenge or a field trip, we believe in supporting our Graduates to be curious, enquiring and seize on every opportunity presented to them.
Some of our learning and development opportunities include:
Feel empowered to choose your path and create the impact that matters most to you. As you grow and continue to learn at Powerlink, you’ll discover the tools, culture, connections and opportunities to help personalise your career journey so that it’s as unique as you are.
‘Every opportunity to learn and grow will be provided while on the graduate program, take them, put them into action and you will be able to make a difference to the energy transition’
Brody Ward, Powerlink Graduate Alumni
Our values guide our decision-making and underpin the way we support our purpose – to connect Queenslanders to a world-class energy future. We look for people who demonstrate values in accountability, customer-focus, teamwork and safety.
Our graduate engineering officer program is open to those who are completing their final year of study - or who have recently completed qualifications – offered at the level of professional engineer under the Washington Accord in:
Dual Bachelor of Engineering and Business, Science, IT, Computer Science or Data Science
Our graduate engineering officer program is open to those who are completing their final year of study - or who have recently completed qualifications - offered at the level of engineering technologist under the Sydney Accord, in:
We also invite individuals to apply who are completing their final year of study - or who have recently completed qualifications - offered at the level of engineering associate under the Dublin Accord, in:
OR
You will also hold a relevant electrical trade qualification (or equivalent certificate III qualification) paired with a current Queensland drivers’ licence.
Our operational technology program is open to those who are completing their final year of study - or who have recently completed qualifications in:
Dual Bachelor’s in any of the above with Engineering (Electrical, Mechatronic, Telecommunications or Civil).
Our environment program is open to those who are completing their final year of study - or who have recently completed qualifications in:
Talent and branding with a focus on early talent – school engagement, diverse talent and industry partnerships.
How your school or company can engage with us, or how you can apply for an Apprentice opportunity!
Many of the students, communities and people that we speak to have never heard of Powerlink. I love being able to introduce people to Powerlink for the first time; telling them about the work that we do to keep the lights on, our role in the renewable energy transformation as well as our amazing culture, benefits and career opportunities.
Anything, I’m an open book!
Development Engineering Officer Programs, Employer Branding & Engagement
I am really passionate about developing the future workforce, emerging talent and supporting targeted talent attraction initiatives. I love that Powerlink invests in its people and I’m really excited to support the design and implementation of programs that will help meet the future needs of the business.
Our graduate program for developing engineers.
How your university or company can engage with us, or how you can apply for a graduate opportunity!
I find supporting graduate and vacation programs a very rewarding role.
It can be an intimidating experience going from university to the workforce so it is nice to be able to support students through the transition. And in hindsight I wish I had of sought out graduate program opportunities when I finished university as they are a great opportunity to develop skills and experience different areas of the business.
I am also grateful to have the opportunity to have a positive influence on their development throughout the program which will set them up for future opportunities and hopefully a rewarding career at Powerlink.