Network Development Engineer

National Energy System Operator (NESO); Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy organization is seeking a Network Development Engineer to contribute to electrifying the future of the UK's energy networks. This role focuses on developing strategic designs to achieve net zero by working collaboratively with stakeholders and industry experts. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in electricity transmission or distribution network planning and excellent communication skills. The position offers flexibility with options for full-time, part-time, and hybrid working arrangements from various locations including Warwick.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Hybrid work model

Opportunity to work on sustainable projects

Qualifications

• Strong technical knowledge of electricity transmission or distribution network design.
• Experience with GB Transmission or distribution network planning processes is preferred.
• Excellent writing skills to communicate complex technical issues.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic network designs for future electricity needs.
• Work with stakeholders on network developments and design options.
• Collaborate with industry experts on Net Zero network development.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Electrical network design

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

About the role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

National Energy System Operator (NESO) are looking for more Network Development Engineers to join our Strategic Energy Planning function. This exciting role brings unique opportunities for the person with a passion to accelerate our progress to net zero by helping solve engineering challenges in developing energy networks and setting strategic direction for energy network plans.

The Transmission and Distribution Interface and The Plan Optimisation teams are part of the Strategic Energy Planning directorate. Their goal is to support the delivery of GB’s first Centralised Strategic Network Plan which outlines the future of GB’s energy networks with a potential focus on developing asset plans to facilitate the interface between high and low voltage networks.

Exploring your own curiosity and working with a range of subject specialists you can play an important part in developing design options, surfacing challenges and problems to solve, and engaging across the energy industry to shape future strategic plans. You could be responsible for evaluating how various network solutions can support the interface between transmission and distribution considering the network as a whole or publishing and setting out investment recommendations for upgrading and building new electricity network infrastructure, both onshore and offshore. This involves applying creative, innovative, and systematic thinking to develop optimal solutions and network plans and clearly communicating these to a diverse range of stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities

• Developing strategic network designs for the future electricity network needs of England, Wales and Scotland (including connection of large-scale offshore wind farms and wider network requirements)
• Working with Transmission and Distribution Network Owners and other stakeholders to identify network developments required and review network design options
• Designing the future transmission network with careful consideration of asset outages, generation output, multi-criteria assessments, environmental and community impacts, as well as delivery and operability requirements.
• Collaborating with industry experts to develop practical solutions for technical challenges in future Net Zero network development, planning, and operation, while proactively managing emerging operational risks arising from the evolving industry landscape.
• Lead on development of technical methodologies for network planning to ensure our strategic energy plans remain holistic and meet network design objectives
• Share design recommendations and explain rationale and trade-offs to a range of technical and non-technical audiences (for example, technical reports, presentations, workshops etc.)

About you

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:

• Passionate about achieving net zero in a sustainable and cost-effective way
• Experience of working with stakeholders who share the same passion and may see the same challenges from different points of view.
• Strong technical knowledge and experience of GB electricity transmission or distribution network design
• Knowledge of existing GB Transmission or distribution network planning process, for example Network Options Assessment (NOA) or Customer connection study processes is ideal but not essential
• Strong communicator with excellent writing skills, able to adapt style to explain complex technical issues in accessible ways.
• Proven ability to build high quality relationships both internally and externally and using those to achieve the required outcomes.
• Excellent organisation capabilities with the ability to lead and coordinate with multiple parties (including external stakeholders and contractors) to deliver high quality outcomes within agreed timescales

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick, Glasgow, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.