Primary Design Engineer

Equans UK & Ireland; West of England; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave

5% bonus

Company shares

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Equans UK & Ireland is seeking a Primary Design Engineer to lead HV primary plant design for solar, BESS and grid connections across the UK. You will oversee designs through DNO/IDNO approvals and work with CAD/BIM teams to ensure quality and compliance.

The role requires a degree in Electrical/Power Engineering and substantial HV substation design experience with a DNO/IDNO/ICP or consultancy. A strong track record with AutoCAD and relevant ENA/BS standards is essential.

Qualifications

• Degree (or HND) in Electrical/Power Engineering.
• Significant HV substation/connection primary design experience with a DNO/IDNO/ICP or consultancy.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and CAD/BIM team coordination.

Responsibilities

• Lead primary plant design for HV grid connections (11–132kV) for solar, BESS and grid projects.
• Manage technical approvals with adopting network operators and oversee CAD/BIM technicians.
• Develop design procedures and audit evidence for accreditation.
• Resolve design challenges for substation and connection layouts; ensure compliance with standards.

Skills

HV substation design

DNO/IDNO/ICP experience

CAD/BIM coordination

Education

Electrical/Power Engineering degree

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Equans is a renowned energies & services contractor and a proud member of the Bouygues global industrial group. Our expertise spans the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings and critical infrastructure worldwide.

We have a great opportunity for a Primary Design Engineer to join our highly successful Energy Solutions business within the ICP team; primarily supporting our renewable energy projects.

Our Energy Solutions business oversee major renewable EPC projects across the UK. We design, install, commission and operate large scale solar PV farms for our clients. Supplying renewable energy from solar power plants enables local communities to reduce costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

Alongside our solar farm projects we are involved in delivering a wide range of energy solutions to secure a more sustainable future.

General overview

Leads the primary plant design of HV grid connections (11–33kV, extending to 66/132kV) for solar, BESS and third-party connection projects: substations, switchgear, transformers and general arrangements, from feasibility through DNO/IDNO design approval to as-built.

Key activities

• Oversee primary plant designs produced by this role form the backbone of every connection the ICP delivers.
• Manage the technical approval process with adopting network operators for its packages, directs CAD/BIM technicians, and contributes the design procedures and audit evidence supporting the company's progression to Full NERS accreditation.
• Will resolve the day-to-day engineering challenges of substation and connection design: plant selection and specification trade-offs, compliance with differing DNO specifications and G81 libraries.
• Create novel design approaches, derogations from DNO standards and cross-discipline disputes are escalated to the Principal Engineer - Design Assurance or the Head of Design & Engineering for independent checking and approval.
• Degree (or HND with strong experience) in Electrical/Power Engineering.
• Significant experience of HV substation/connection primary design with a DNO, IDNO, ICP or consultancy.
• Working knowledge of DNO specifications, ENA Engineering Recommendations and relevant BS/IEC standards (e.g. IEC 61936, BS EN 50522).
• Experience taking connection designs through DNO/IDNO technical approval.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD; ability to direct CAD/BIM technicians.

We offer an excellent benefits package including:

• 25 days leave
• 5% bonus
• Company shares
• Employee assistance programme (Private GP Appointments, Legal support, Counselling)

Who are we?

In the UK & Ireland, Equans is a provider of sustainable facilities management and regeneration, and cutting-edge energy and digital services. Our 15,000 employees combine these activities to deliver decarbonisation across the built environment and help businesses, communities, public sector organisations and government to accelerate the transition to a low carbon, resilient world.

Globally, Equans is a world leader in the energy and services sector with operations in 20 countries, 90,000 employees working on 5 continents and a turnover of 19.2 billion euros in 2024. Equans is a subsidiary of the Bouygues group.

At Equans, we’re committed to building a diverse, respectful and inclusive workplace that truly reflects the communities and markets we serve.

Joining Equans means being part of a culture where every voice is valued, supported by vibrant employee led networks championing inclusion and diversity across gender, ethnicity, disability, LGBTQ+, veterans, parents, and young professionals.

Guided by our core values, we foster a culture of respect, integrity, collaboration, and excellence - empowering our people to deliver outstanding results and be their authentic selves every day. Our approach means we welcome candidates with transferable skills who may not meet every specific requirement, and where possible we support flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments to enable success.

For this role, you must have evidence of the right to work in the UK.Certain roles may require applicants to undergo a Disclosure check or security vetting, as noted in the role requirements. A criminal record will not necessarily be a barrier to obtaining a position with us.

As part of our recruitment process, EQUANS uses StaffVetting, our trusted third-party provider, to support the completion of employee background checks. StaffVetting delivers professional screening services in a friendly, efficient, and customer-focused way, helping us ensure the right checks are completed from the start of the application journey."