Graduate possibilities start with us
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.
Our programs provide an exciting mix of on the job technical learning and professional development. As a graduate with Powerlink your potential can meet possibility through:
- rotations across the business to build your technical knowledge and capability
- internal training and development sessions
- external professional development opportunities and support for Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) status
- buddy and mentoring programs with our experienced network of professional leaders
- regular social activities to keep you connected to your graduate cohort
- 9-day fortnight and flexible working opportunities
- permanent employment and competitive salary.
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 part of Powerlink’s graduate cohort!
Your program
We offer dynamic programs in engineering – civil and electrical - and operational technology that will give you the best possible grounding for a career in electricity transmission and renewable energy.
Electrical engineering program
Our engineering graduates will rotate through four areas of the business; field, systems, design and delivery and gain the required experience and skills setting you up for a career that lasts.
Some of the areas you have the opportunity to rotate through include:
Asset Strategies
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.
Network Planning
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.
Infrastructure Delivery
Our Infrastructure Delivery group is responsible for the management and delivery of design, procurement, construction and commissioning of all projects at Powerlink. They ensure the safe and fit for purpose delivery of all projects and compliance with our environmental, community and landholder commitments.
Design Solutions
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.
Technical and Network Solutions
Our Technical and Network Solutions group provides innovative professional engineering, and information and communications technology services to facilitate the safe, reliable and efficient operation of Powerlink's statewide transmission network.
Field Delivery
Our Field Delivery group are the team on the ground who commission, inspect, maintain and refurbish network assets in southern Queensland (and at times other parts of the state), essential for the safe and reliable supply of electricity to Queenslanders.
Network Operations
Our 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, and provide a rapid response service for power system incidents and faults on our network.
Civil engineering program
Our engineering graduates will rotate through three areas of the business, field, design and delivery and gain the required experience and skills setting you up for a career that lasts.
Some of the areas you have the opportunity to rotate through include:
INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY
Our Infrastructure Delivery group is responsible for the management and delivery of design, procurement, construction and commissioning of all projects at Powerlink. They ensure the safe and fit for purpose delivery of all projects and compliance with our environmental, community and landholder commitments.
MAJOR PROJECTS
Major Projects play a critical role in upgrading and expanding the power grid infrastructure in Queensland to ensure a reliable and efficient flow of electricity. As part of delivering the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, these large-scale projects encompass significant investments, aiming to address the increasing demand for electricity, integrate renewable energy sources, enhance grid resilience, and help shape Queensland’s future energy system.
DESIGN SOLUTIONS
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.
FIELD DELIVERY
Our Field Delivery group are the team on the ground who commission, inspect, maintain and refurbish network assets in southern Queensland (and at times other parts of the state), essential for the safe and reliable supply of electricity to Queenslanders.
Operational Technology Program
Our operational technology graduates will rotate through the Technical and Network Solutions division and build their knowledge and capability in digital and telecommunication networks, energy management systems, cyber security and asset performance.
The teams you will have the opportunity to rotate through include:
OT Cyber Security
Our OT Cyber Security team protect Powerlink’s considerable asset base from a dynamic cyber security threat landscape.
Energy Management Systems
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.
Network Management Applications
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.
Systems Integration (SI)
Our System Integration team is responsible for the 24x7 support of operational technology infrastructure for both the network operations control room and substation services.
Digital and Telecommunication Networks
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.
Your career and growth
With a diverse range of careers available, 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 short-term project to challenge you or a development program, we believe in supporting our employees to be their best at all stages of their careers.
Some of our learning opportunities include:
- on-the-job opportunities via stretch assignments, job shadowing, short term projects and increased responsibilities
- leadership development programs focused on capability, diversity, high potential and team effectiveness
- targeted development programs such as our Accelerate Women in Leadership program
- mentoring or coaching
- access to industry forums and conferences
- support for professional memberships
- leadership succession planning
- in-house or self-paced learning via our diverse learning offerings
- ongoing capability and career conversations to explore your strengths, development opportunities and career aspirations.
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.
Where a Powerlink graduate program can take you.
Our graduates who have completed the program have gone onto successful careers in Powerlink, in roles such as:
- design, protection and grid controls planning engineers
- senior, specialist and principal engineers
- team leaders
- project managers
- operational technology services manager
What does Brody Ward, Powerlink graduate alumni say about the program?
‘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
Your benefits
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:
Competitive Remuneration
Our graduates start on $102, 457 + 12.75% Super for a 9-day fortnight. On occasion, some Graduates may work a 10-day fortnight, and can expect a starting base salary of $117, 911 + 12.75% Super.
Diverse leave options
We provide access to a broad range of leave options to support our employees both professionally and personally. This includes:
- public holiday swap
- 14 weeks paid parental leave – at full or half pay
- paid volunteer leave
- paid study leave
- paid domestic and family violence leave
- paid natural disturbance leave
- paid international sporting events leave
- additional leave purchasing
- special leave without pay to pursue long-term study or a career break.
Parents and Carers Support
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.
Professional Development Costs
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.
End of trip facilities
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 CopperString 2032 rotational placements are located at our new Bowen Hills office.
Eligibility
Our graduate program is open to those who are completing your final year of university or are a recent university graduate with degrees in:
- Bachelor of Engineering (4-year degree), majoring in electrical, mechatronics, civil engineering, computer and/or software engineering, electronic systems and Internet of Things (IoT) engineering, telecommunications
- Dual Bachelor of Engineering and Business, Science, IT, Computer Science or Data Science
- Bachelor of Computer Science
- Bachelor of Information Technology