Unleash your potential with an engineering or operational technology graduate program 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 both engineering and operational technology 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 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:
Our Real Time Network Operations group manage the real time operation of our statewide transmission network, as well as plan, schedule and coordinate outages and requests to access our network. They provide a rapid response service for power system incidents and faults on our network and include our Power Systems Operations team, Operations Planning & Access Teams and Network Performance Team.
Our Strategic network operations team looks to the future, and the challenges of operating a complex and rapidly changing transmission network and NEM. Strategic Network Operations forecasts, hypothesis and identifies the technical obstacles and strategic decisions, laying the foundations of solutions required to support operating successfully during the energy transition.
Our Asset Strategies group is responsible for optimising the lifetime performance of Powerlink network assets from inception through to end of life, to ensure reliability and cost efficiency.
Our Network Planning group is responsible for all aspects of planning the Queensland and interconnected transmission network which includes network analysis, demand and energy forecasting, operational advice and assessment of customer connections to Powerlink’s network.
Our Design Solutions group is responsible for delivering cost-efficient and contemporary design solutions for Powerlink’s infrastructure including our substations and transmission lines, as well as protection, automation (monitoring and control), telecommunication and other auxiliary systems. Teams include our Substation Design team, Lines Design, Telecommunications Design and Secondary Systems Design.
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.
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.
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
We offer a broad range of inclusive benefits such as competitive remuneration, employment security and flexible work arrangements. We also want our benefits to be as unique as our employees are:
At Powerlink, we are committed to empowering our employees to work in ways that allow them to perform at their best. As we work towards connecting Queenslanders to a world-class energy future, every employee has an opportunity to enjoy a work-life balance and enhance their overall wellbeing and performance.
Flexibility can mean different things to each of us, and we recognise there’s no one-size-fits-all approach given the variety of roles, work requirements, and business needs.
Ask us about how we can offer flexible start and finish times, compressed work hours, term-time working, part-time work, time-off-in-lieu or job-sharing – dependent on your role.
We provide access to a broad range of leave options to support our employees both professionally and personally. This includes:
In addition to the leave options available to parents and carers, we have partnered with Circle In to create a personalised parents, carers and wellbeing platform for dedicated support and resources. We also offer a multipurpose retreat room at our Virginia office and working away pump/express kits.
We’ll cover our employees professional and trade skills licensing fees where required by legislation as well as Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) registration fees.
At our Virginia site, we offer free parking, access to electric charging stations, on-site showers, lockers and bike facilities for your end of trip needs.
Our Major Projects and CopperString 2032 rotations are located at our new Bowen Hills office.
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
A trade background would be desirable but is not a condition of the role and all training is provided.
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).
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.