Lead Operations Engineer

Sse Enterprise; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare discount

Gym memberships

Wellbeing benefits: GP and counselling

Cycle to Work scheme

Family entitlements: maternity/adopt-

Job summary

SSEN Transmission in Scotland is seeking a Lead Operations Engineer to lead a team of Operational Engineers, delivering capital projects while maintaining safe operation of the transmission network around Aberdeen.

You will combine operational leadership with project delivery, ensuring safe integration of new plant and equipment while maintaining network resilience and performance. A senior role requiring strong leadership, driving safety and effectiveness across the operation.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable knowledge of operating and maintaining transmission plant and cable assets.
• Experience operating as a Senior Authorised Person, with the ability and willingness to continue supporting the team in this capacity.
• Strong leadership, planning and communication skills, with the ability to manage operational priorities, people and stakeholders effectively.
• An HNC-level qualification in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience, Chartered Engineer status, IOSH/NEBOSH qualifications and NEC3 awareness advantageous.
• A full, current driving licence and the flexibility to travel regularly across the operational area, including occasional working away from your base location.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and manage a team of Operational Engineers, ensuring the safe and effective delivery of capital projects alongside inspection, maintenance and fault-response activities.
• Provide visible leadership in line with the SSEN Leadership Blueprint, championing operational excellence and identifying opportunities to improve safety, quality, cost and performance.
• Work closely with Protection & Control, SCADA and project teams throughout the capital project lifecycle, including construction, commissioning and the operational acceptance of new plant and equipment.
• Lead and coordinate operational response activities across the network, including standby duties and the response to major system faults and emergencies.
• Champion a strong safety culture, supporting the continual improvement of operational procedures, authorisations and contractor competence across the network.

Skills

Leadership

Planning

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

HNC-level qualification in Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer status

IOSH/NEBOSH qualifications

NEC3 awareness

Tools

SCADA knowledge

Protection & Control familiarity

ISO 55000 familiarity

Job description

Lead Operations Engineer

• Job Number: 559878
• Closing at: Nov 9 2026 - 23:55 GMT

Base Location: For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Scottish locations and you'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in the office - Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire

Salary- £71,869 - £96,301 + overtime + standby + car/car allowance + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern -Permanent | Full Time

The role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Operations Engineer to join SSEN Transmission, helping to deliver our major capital investment programme, network expansion and transition to net zero, while ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the transmission network.

Based in or around Aberdeen, you’ll lead a team of skilled Operational Engineers and play a key role in the safe operation, maintenance and development of our network. You’ll combine operational leadership with capital project delivery, providing the expertise needed to safely integrate new plant and equipment onto the transmission network.

This is a varied leadership role with responsibility for people, operational safety, network resilience and project delivery across a growing transmission network.

You will

• Lead, develop and manage a team of Operational Engineers, ensuring the safe and effective delivery of capital projects alongside inspection, maintenance and fault-response activities.
• Provide visible leadership in line with the SSEN Leadership Blueprint, championing operational excellence and identifying opportunities to improve safety, quality, cost and performance.
• Work closely with Protection & Control, SCADA and project teams throughout the capital project lifecycle, including construction, commissioning and the operational acceptance of new plant and equipment.
• Lead and coordinate operational response activities across the network, including standby duties and the response to major system faults and emergencies.
• Champion a strong safety culture, supporting the continual improvement of operational procedures, authorisations and contractor competence across the network.

You have

• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of operating and maintaining transmission plant and cable assets, with an understanding of asset management principles such as ISO 55000.
• Experience operating as a Senior Authorised Person, with the ability and willingness to continue supporting the team in this capacity.
• Strong leadership, planning and communication skills, with the ability to manage operational priorities, people and stakeholders effectively.
• An HNC-level qualification in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience, with Chartered Engineer status, IOSH/NEBOSH qualifications and NEC3 awareness advantageous.
• A full, current driving licence and the flexibility to travel regularly across the operational area, including occasional working away from your base location.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to be restless every day until we make electricity clean, affordable and available for all.

We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. This includes electricity transmission and distribution networks, onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro-electric power and flexible thermal generation. We also provide products and services for businesses and other customers.

Our investment plan will see SSE invest £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure to 2030.

own and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for the communities we serve. But that's not all - we're upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown power for the future and building the infrastructure needed for a cleaner electricity system to create secure power for generations to come.

Flexible benefits to fit your life

• Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships.
• Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service.
• Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme.
• As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact / 01738 341043 to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.