Lead Principal Engineer - Transformers

Sse Enterprise; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 81,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Performance bonus

Benefits package

Job summary

SSE is seeking a Lead Principal Engineer – Transformers in Scotland to provide technical leadership for transformer and wound plant within the Network Engineering team. You will shape specifications, supervise projects and suppliers, and promote value‑based engineering across Transmission to support a resilient grid.

Based in one of our Scottish locations, you’ll split time between the office and site visits, leading a high‑calibre team and advancing standardisation and innovation in line with

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering with Chartered Engineer status or working toward it.
• Proven track record leading and developing SME teams.
• Strong Technical Authority with ability to drive standardisation and innovation.
• Deep experience with transmission‑voltage wound plant and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of transformer and wound plant subject matter experts within Network Engineering, building technical capability across the discipline.
• Drive innovation and standardisation for Transformers; engage with industry forums (CIGRE, ENA, IEC) to influence and share best practices.
• Develop, maintain and own specifications and guidance notes for wound plant across the Transmission network; include HVDC transformer, shunt/series reactors, and earthing transformers.
• Act as senior Design Authority and Technical Authority for transformer engineering, leading assurance, approvals and key decisions.

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer status

Leadership track record

Job description

Lead Principal Engineer - Transformers

• Job Number: 559578
• Closing at: Oct 28 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 – Glasgow ,Perth, Aberdeen or Inverness.

Salary: £80,700 - £121,100 + car /car allowance + performance related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | options available

The role

The Lead Principal Engineer – Transformers sits in the Network Engineering Team which provides technical engineering and design governance for the Transmission business. It helps ensure engineering decisions and designs are safe, robust and supported by the right technical guidance and specifications. It also identifies opportunities to deliver value through innovation and standardization, helping to create a safe, resilient and reliable transmission network that supports the transition to net zero.

As the Lead Principal Engineer – Transformers, you’ll provide technical leadership for the transformer, reactor and wound plant subject matter experts within Network Engineering. You’ll provide Technical Authority leadership, shape specifications, assure projects and suppliers, and promote sound value‑based engineering decisions for the business.

You will

• Lead, coach and develop a team of transformer and wound plant subject matter experts within Network Engineering, working collaboratively to manage priorities, plan resources and build technical capability across the discipline.
• Drive both innovation and standardisation for Transformers whilst engaging at Industry forums such as CIGRE, ENA, IEC to influence, share best practices at UK and international level.
• Work closely with colleagues across Transmission to develop, maintain and technically own specifications and guidance notes for electrical wound plant used on the Transmission network. This would include grid transformers, super-grid transformers, HVDC converter transformers, shunt and series reactors, and earthing or auxiliary transformers.
• Act as a senior Design Authority and Technical Authority for transformer and reactor engineering, working with project teams and senior stakeholders to lead technical assurance, approvals, deviations and key engineering decisions across the Transmission business.
• Review supplier proposals, test plans and factory suitability, overseeing or witnessing transformer and wound plant testing and audits to ensure equipment is proven, validated and fit for use on the Transmission network.

You have

• A degree in Electrical Engineering or another relevant engineering discipline, with Chartered Engineer status through a relevant institution or you are working towards chartered status.
• A proven track record of leading and developing a high performing team of subject matter experts, technical specialists or engineering professionals
• Substantial experience as a Technical Authority, with the technical credibility to lead assurance, make sound, risk‑based engineering judgements, drive standardisation and innovation, and collaborate effectively with stakeholders.
• Deep technical experience in the design, specification, application, testing, installation, operation or maintenance of transmission‑voltage wound plant, including strong knowledge of grid and super‑grid transformers and relevant experience with equipment such as HVDC converter transformers, shunt or series reactors, and earthing or auxiliary transformers.
• Strong knowledge of relevant National Grid, British, European and international standards, with proven experience producing technical specifications, guidance notes or work instructions and applying robust technical assurance processes for wound plant.

We recognise that strong candidates may not meet every criterion listed. If you bring substantial transformer and wound plant expertise, together with the leadership and technical authority needed for this senior role, we encourage you to apply.

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

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.