Principal Primary Substation Design Engineer (Energy)

Overview

In this role, you will design and specify HV/EHV substations and related equipment to support grid resilience and green investment. You’ll work within the Regulated T&D team to deliver compliant designs, manage safety and CDM responsibilities, and collaborate with clients and suppliers. You’ll contribute to project scopes from feasibility to execution, ensuring quality, cost control, and alignment with schedules. This is a chance to shape critical infrastructure while developing through mentoring and chartership opportunities.

Pay / Benefits

• Work-life balance
• Hybrid working
• Thrive wellbeing programme
• Virtual GP
• Gymflex
• Flexible working arrangements

Responsibilities

• Produce design drawings for Grid and Primary substations
• Prepare technical specs for electrical plant and substation upgrades (11kV–132kV)
• Create substation design feasibility reports, cost estimates, layouts, and plant specifications (transformers, switchgear, battery systems)
• Review supplier and client designs for technical compliance with legislation and policies
• Deliver designs in line with contract requirements and client expectations
• Act as CDM Designer and/or Principal Designer for HV/EHV projects; manage health and safety risks
• Attend site meetings to support design changes during construction
• Coordinate design delivery with programme, quality, and margin targets
• Develop external and internal client relationships
• Include HV/EHV plant specs (CTs, batteries, terminations) and load/rating considerations

Key requirements

• HNC Electrical Engineering
• Exposure to substation cable design and protection and control
• Experience with small to technically complex substation, retrofit, or network reinforcement projects
• Proven HV/EHV substation design experience (AIS & GIS) 11kV–132kV
• Knowledge of standards and policies for HV/EHV substations (earthing, clearances)
• Ability to interpret technical substation documentation
• Design cost estimation experience
• Strong HS and CDM understanding; able to perform Designer/Principal Designer roles under CDM
• Travel flexibility for project needs

• Stakeholder management
• Effective communication with clients and teams
• Collaborative team player
• HV and EHV substation design (AIS & GIS)
• Protection and control for substations
• 11kV–132kV design and load calculations

…