Principal Substation Primary (HV Plant) Design Engineer

We are currently seeking an experienced Principal Substation Primary (HV Plant) Design Engineer to join a high-performing engineering team delivering major electricity transmission and substation projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced primary plant engineer to take a senior technical leadership role across complex transmission-scale projects, while also contributing to team development, client relationships, tendering and business growth.

The Role

As Principal Primary Design Engineer, you will lead the delivery of FEED and detailed design workstreams for major electricity transmission substation projects.

You will provide technical leadership across the HV primary plant discipline, working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, clients, suppliers and subcontractors to ensure technically robust and compliant solutions are delivered.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading FEED and detailed design activities for electricity transmission substations.
• Providing technical leadership across HV primary plant engineering.
• Reviewing substation layouts and primary plant arrangements.
• Providing expert technical review of earthing designs, interlocking schemes and busbar calculations.
• Reviewing technical specifications for HV electrical equipment.
• Providing technical assurance across design deliverables and bid submissions.
• Leading and developing a team of engineers through mentoring, technical guidance and performance management.
• Supporting recruitment, resource planning and workforce development.
• Coordinating interfaces with P&C/Secondary, Civil & Structural and Project Management disciplines.
• Managing technical interfaces with suppliers, subcontractors and engineering teams.
• Acting as Tender Manager for HV plant packages where required.
• Reviewing supplier technical offers and supporting bid and proposal preparation.
• Providing technical input into resource planning and cost estimates.
• Chairing and participating in design and hazard review meetings.
• Attending client meetings, site visits, FATs and SATs where required.
• Building strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Supporting business development activities and identifying opportunities for future work.

About You

We're looking for a technically strong Principal or Senior Primary Design Engineer with significant experience in substation and electricity transmission environments.

You should have:

• A degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent relevant experience.
• Proven experience in primary plant design for electrical substations.
• Experience working on transmission-scale substation projects in the UK or internationally.
• Strong experience delivering FEED and detailed design.
• Experience managing or technically leading engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of HV primary plant and substation engineering.
• Experience with substation layouts, earthing, interlocking and busbar calculations.
• Experience preparing technical bids and cost estimates.
• Strong knowledge of IEC and IEEE standards.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to demanding deadlines.
• Flexibility to travel to client and project sites when required.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or actively working towards chartership.
• Experience delivering major UK transmission infrastructure projects.
• Previous consultancy or transmission network experience.
• Experience with HV equipment technical specifications and procurement.
• Experience leading technical bids and tender submissions.
• Experience attending FATs, SATs and site-based design reviews.
• Proven experience mentoring and developing engineers.

Why Apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity to take a senior technical leadership position within a major transmission infrastructure programme.

You'll have the opportunity to work on complex and high-value substation projects, influence primary plant design solutions, develop engineering teams and contribute to the continued growth of a specialist HV engineering capability.