KARTHICK SIVAGURUNATHAN
Sydney,Australia
Summary
Chartered Electrical Engineer with extensive experience in transportation infrastructure, oil & gas, and renewable energy sectors. Specialized in independent verification, project management, and quality assurance, consistently delivering complex projects on time, including over 230 design certificates with a nearly perfect on-time rate.
Overview
4
4
Languages
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Mechanical & Electrical Engineer – D&C Independent Certifier
TfNSW
Sydney
04.2023 - Current
- Led Independent verification and client reporting for M&E scope across tunnels and substations, ensuring compliance with Transport Project Specifications.
- Oversaw factory acceptance testing of major equipment including 33kV switchboards, transformers, 690V low voltage boards, UPS, fire pumps, axial/jet fans, VSDs, harmonic filters, and protection panels.
- Reviewed and approved commissioning test plans, readiness reviews, and test reports, witnessing SCADA integration to facilitate seamless project phase transitions.
- Monitored project quality during construction and commissioning, approving ITPs, methodologies, RFIs, and NCRs to uphold compliance standards.
- Directed triparty walkdown inspections, escalating and resolving quality, safety, and compliance issues with timely punch list closeouts.
- Managed a multidisciplinary team of surveillance officers, project engineers, and document controllers, overseeing certification processes and project control registers.
- Conducted thorough review and certification of As Built and As Commissioned drawings, ensuring precise documentation for effective project handover.
- SMEC–APP JV | CPB–Ghella–UGL JV | A$2.6Bn
Design Manager – D&C Independent Certifier
TfNSW
Sydney
04.2022 - Current
- Directed independent design review and certification of Mechanical & Electrical design packages in line with Project Deed, TfNSW specifications, and Australian/IEC standards.
- Coordinated IC technical reviews for tunnel lining, support structures, shaft shoring, excavation, civil works, and M&E packages, ensuring compliance with specifications and maintaining technical integrity.
- Represented the Independent Certifier in workshops and stakeholder meetings facilitating timely certification.
- Oversaw Safety in Design workshops, ensuring residual risks were identified and transferred to O&M phases by D&C contractors.
- Led team of subject matter experts (Mechanical, Electrical, OMCS, ITS, Fire Systems) to achieve independent certification of design packages, ensuring alignment with project standards.
- Ensured ontime issuance of design certificates, enabling sequencing of construction activities without delays.
- Partnered with Digital Engineering team to develop digital models and asset registers, enhancing project integration.
- Achievement: Delivered 231 design certificates with an exceptional 99.925% ontime rate, supported by 1,338 detailed review cycles.
- SMEC–APP JV | CPB–Ghella–UGL JV | A$2.6Bn
Senior Electrical Engineer – Independent Certifier
TfNSW
Sydney
04.2022 - 03.2023
- Authorized release of hold points and witnessed site acceptance testing of critical electrical assets including 11kV RMUs, traction power substation equipment, stray current monitoring cabinets, rectifier transformers, and earthing systems, ensuring operational integrity and compliance with safety standards.
- Conducted field surveillance of electrical works including track construction, rail earthing systems, multifunction poles, lighting assets, distribution boards, stabling yard, and traction power substations to ensure compliance with project specifications.
- Attended handover inspections of Sections 1 & 2 of the rail network, ensuring electrical defects were identified and resolved in line with project standards before transfer from INFRA to SOM teams.
- Reviewed quality deliverables including inspection test plans, checklists, closeout documentation, and AsBuilt drawings for both INFRA and SOM scopes of work.
- Arcadis–APP JV | CPB–CAF JV | A$2.4Bn
Senior Engineer – Electrical & ITS, Independent Certifier
TfNSW
Sydney Airport
02.2022 - 06.2022
- Reviewed electrical and intelligent transport systems (ITS) designs and participated in risk closeout workshops, ensuring compliance with TfNSW specifications.
- Provided onsite support for electrical and ITS scope, overseeing installation and integration to facilitate seamless project execution.
- Conducted factory acceptance testing of ITS cabinets and devices including Variable Message Signs (VMS) and Field Work Stations (FWS).
- Delivered quality assurance support to IC team by reviewing and closing out hold points, work lots, and AsBuilt drawings, ensuring project standards were met.
- APP–SMEC JV | John Holland–Seymour Whyte JV | A$2.6Bn
Project Engineer – Independent Certifier
TfNSW
Sydney
12.2021 - 04.2022
- Facilitated delivery of 9.8km Princes Motorway extension, overseeing interchanges, 13 new bridges, and local road upgrades.
- Executed factory acceptance testing of Variable Message Signs (VMS), ITS cabinets, and 14 roadside cabinets to verify compliance with RMS and Australian Standards.
- Arcadis–APP JV | Fulton Hogan–SMEC JV | A$630M
Project Electrical Engineer
TfNSW
Sydney
08.2021 - 01.2022
- Led a team of construction engineers to deliver electrical tunnel packages including HV (33kV/11kV) and LV cable containments, crosspassage fitouts, earthing systems, LV panels, and tunnel sump pumps.
- Directed quality and completion aspects of the electrical scope, managing lot closeouts, RVTM processes, QA deliverables, and drafting O&M manuals.
- Coordinated regularly with the Systems Connect Design Team, resolving site - based technical queries, reviewing construction drawings, cable schedules, and fitout procurement.
- Interfaced with procurement, construction, commercial, quality, and logistics functions to align deliverables with project schedules.
- Built and maintained strong stakeholder relationships across design, construction, and completion phases, supporting seamless project delivery.
- Developed baseline L4 and L5 programming schedules and conducted weekly resource planning and supply-demand projections to align with project timelines.
- Systems Connect CPB–UGL JV | A$11Bn
Project Electrical Engineer – Independent Certifier, Cross River Rail Tunnel Brisbane
APP–SMEC JV
Brisbane QLD
03.2021 - 08.2021
- Facilitated delivery of 10km rail line, including 5.9 km of twin tunnels under Brisbane River and four new underground stations, enhancing urban transit infrastructure.
- Conducted factory acceptance testing of ABB 25kV switch rooms with ZX 1.5R switchboards, low-voltage cabins, and communication systems, ensuring operational readiness.
- Ensured compliance with Queensland Rail–UNITY Project Standards and AS62271200, verifying electrical assets met safety and performance requirements to support project integrity.
- UNITY Alliance | A$5.4Bn
Project Engineer – M&E, Independent Certifier (Electrical Lead), WestConnex Stage 1B
TfNSW
Sydney
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Acted as Electrical Lead for Independent Certification of M&E and ITS installations across multibillion-dollar tunnel programs, covering design, construction, commissioning, completions, and defects liability phases.
- Managed team of surveillance officers and graduate engineers, delegating inspections, audits, and walkdowns to ensure compliance with project requirements and enhance project integrity.
- Directed design reviews of HV/LV systems, earthing, cabling, and lighting packages, raising compliance issues and ensuring traceability, reliability, and Safety in Design.
- Oversaw factory acceptance testing of 66/33/22/11kV switchgears, transformers, MCCs, and LV switchboards, ensuring defects were identified and rectified prior to site delivery.
- Conducted construction surveillance of electrical installations in substations, tunnels, crosspassages, and ITS devices (VMS, CCTV, tolling gantries, detection systems), raising and resolving noncompliance issues.
- Witnessed testing & commissioning of HV relays, transformers, UPS, luminaires, and protection schemes, verifying compliance with approved documentation and energisation procedures.
- Reviewed and closed out quality deliverables including RFIs, NCRs, FCRs, and functional test reports, ensuring alignment with certified design documentation and maintaining project standards.
- Participated in triparty walkdowns with contractors and project companies, identifying and resolving critical compliance issues and punch list items before handover.
- Audited procurement, systems integration, installation, and commissioning processes, ensuring risk-based compliance with approved management plans.
- Verified AsBuilt documentation and O&M manuals, ensuring accurate asset information management for tunnel and surface electrical installations.
- APP–SMEC JV | CPB–Samsung–NorthConnex & M2 Integration | Transurban | APP–Arcadis JV | Lendlease–Bouygues JV | A$2B–John Holland JV | A$4.8Bn
Electrical Site Engineer
Transfield Services
Chinchilla QLD
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Delivered E&I engineering support across design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover for well sites and compressor stations.
- Reviewed and validated work packs, drawings, and SCADA/software changes, ensuring compliance with QGC specifications, P&IDs, and AS60079 standards.
- Queensland Gas Company | Coal Seam Gas Greenfield & Brownfield Projects | A$1.5M
Commissioning & QA Engineer
QGC – WEIR Minerals Multiflo
Dalby QLD
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Led electrical and instrumentation scope for installation and commissioning of three floating pump pontoon stations powered via 6.6kV substation, dewatering ponds to QGC’s water treatment plant.
- Directed crews of HV technicians and electricians in installation of 22kV cables, 6.6kV RMU, 2MVA transformers, HV earthing systems, pontoon pumps, 355kW VFDs, luminaires, bus ducts, and LV distribution boards.
- Authored and executed commissioning test plans and procedures for LV systems (DBs, UPS, VSDs, MCS) and reviewed HV switching protocols.
- Served as LV Isolation Officer, ensuring safe boundary isolations and compliance with QGC permit systems.
- Oversaw commissioning of electrical switch rooms, transformers, HV cables, lighting systems, and instrumentation (level/pressure transmitters), completing installation and functional test reports.
- Conducted protection testing of 6.6kV switchgear, Micom HV relays, ACBs, MCCBs, and CT/VTs using Omicron secondary injection.
- Coordinated design reviews of drawings, cable schedules, specifications, and datasheets with consultants; tracked and approved ITRs/FTRs to ensure QA compliance.
- Managed handover documentation, including markups, installation reports, and commissioning dossiers for submission to QGC.
- Facilitated Safety in Design assessments with subcontractors, ensuring compliance with QGC standards, environmental legislation, and quality management systems.
- Supported construction managers with scope development, cost planning, and scheduling for vendor-supplied water quality monitoring equipment.
- EPCM Project: A$200M
Electrical Engineer-Public Lighting & ITS Projects
Hyder Consulting (Arcadis)
Brisbane QLD
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Delivered electrical design and verification for public lighting and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) projects across Queensland Main Roads.
- Performed engineering calculations for maximum demand, cable sizing, voltage drop, fault loop impedance, fault levels, and earthing arrangements using ETAP and manual methods in line with AS3000 and TMR/SA Road standards.
- Ensured protection coordination and discrimination between conductors and overload devices to maintain system reliability and safety.
- Reviewed and improved electrical design drawings, schedules, and specifications, resolving inconsistencies and enhancing constructability.
- Conducted design verification of ITS field devices including roadside cabinets, VMS, VSLS, CMS, and fibre optic routing, ensuring compliance with TMR specifications.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary design teams to integrate electrical and ITS systems seamlessly into road infrastructure projects.
Project Engineer (Electrical), Airport Link and Northern Busway
Thiess John Holland JV|Arcadis APP JV
Brisbane QLD
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Performed regular surveillance relevant to Electrical Scope in accordance with the requirements of IV’s project verification and monitoring plan during construction and commissioning phases, raising issues against project non-conformances for 33/22kV Substations, M&E Fit-outs, and ITS Fit-outs.
- Attended FAT of MCS & LVS 690/400V MCS/LVS’s, Traffic Control Cabinets ACB, MCCB’s, OC/EF relays; identified manufacturing defects and raised NCRs observed during FAT.
- Witnessed JV’s site commissioning activities of tunnel monitoring and control devices, HV and LV systems, lighting, ventilation, fire systems, UGL SCADA systems with Operations Centre; raised punch lists for level 5 commissioning.
- Reviewed and closed out comments on Work as Executed electrical drawings and associated RFIs, site instructions, and product nonconformances.
- Attended TJH’s Quality Control Internal Audits of project documents, work procedures, review of ITPs, work lots management, and site audits through visual inspections; effectively tracked systems and processes, M&E defects, As Built & final handover process.
Education
DIGSILENT POWER FACTORY TRAINING - Power System Analysis
Power Projects
Chennai India08-2026
Detailed Electrical Design - Electrical Engineering
Power Projects
Chennai India 08-2026
Master's Degree - Communications and Information Engineering
Griffith University
AustraliaBachelor's Degree - Electrical and Electronics Engineering
IndiaGrad Diploma - Management
CQU
QLD, AustraliaSkills
- Electrical Engineering
- Project Management
- Quality Assurance
- Independent Verification
- Testing & Commissioning
- Operational Management
- Control system (SCADA)
- Construction Engineering
- Coal Seam Gas
- O&M
- Completions and Project Handover
Certification
Chartered Engineer - Electrical & Construction, 2022, Sydney, NSW
Accomplishments
- Zero LTI (QGC)
- Design Compliance
- Safety Assurance
Training
- Extra High voltage, High voltage Transmission Line Design, 2025, Sydney, NSW
- Fundamentals of Battery Storage Systems, 2023 - 2022, Sydney, NSW
- Earthing Design and Installation, 2018, Newcastle
- Certified Control and Safety Engineering, 2016, Chennai, India
Phone Numbers
+918807948835, +61431060835
Languages
English
Full Professional
Tamil
Full Professional
Kannada
Limited
Malayalam
Limited
Timeline
Senior Mechanical & Electrical Engineer – D&C Independent Certifier
TfNSW
04.2023 - Current
Design Manager – D&C Independent Certifier
TfNSW
04.2022 - Current
Senior Electrical Engineer – Independent Certifier
TfNSW
04.2022 - 03.2023
Senior Engineer – Electrical & ITS, Independent Certifier
TfNSW
02.2022 - 06.2022
Project Engineer – Independent Certifier
TfNSW
12.2021 - 04.2022
Project Electrical Engineer
TfNSW
08.2021 - 01.2022
Project Electrical Engineer – Independent Certifier, Cross River Rail Tunnel Brisbane
APP–SMEC JV
03.2021 - 08.2021
Project Engineer – M&E, Independent Certifier (Electrical Lead), WestConnex Stage 1B
TfNSW
01.2017 - 01.2021
Electrical Site Engineer
Transfield Services
01.2014 - 01.2016
Commissioning & QA Engineer
QGC – WEIR Minerals Multiflo
01.2013 - 01.2014
Project Engineer (Electrical), Airport Link and Northern Busway
Thiess John Holland JV|Arcadis APP JV
01.2011 - 01.2012
Electrical Engineer-Public Lighting & ITS Projects
Hyder Consulting (Arcadis)
01.2010 - 01.2013
DIGSILENT POWER FACTORY TRAINING - Power System Analysis
Power Projects
Detailed Electrical Design - Electrical Engineering
Power Projects
Master's Degree - Communications and Information Engineering
Griffith University
Bachelor's Degree - Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Grad Diploma - Management
CQU