Primary / HV Plant Design Engineer

Morson Talent; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Morson Talent is seeking a Primary / HV Plant Design Engineer to design high-voltage substation plant systems for transmission projects up to 400kV. You will develop layouts in SR188 compliance and ensure designs meet National Grid standards, IEC/BS EN regulations and CDM requirements.

You will provide technical guidance, participate in design reviews and manage interfaces with Civil, Protection & Control, Mechanical, and Primary Design teams, delivering on time and to budget.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent engineering discipline.
• Membership of a professional institution (IET preferred).
• Working towards or holding Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Responsibilities

• Produce HV substation plant designs for transmission voltage levels up to 400kV.
• Develop substation layouts in compliance with National Grid SR188 requirements.
• Prepare and review: General arrangement drawings, Substation layouts, Equipment installation drawings, Electrical clearance studies, Earthing layouts, Busbar arrangements, Cable routing drawings, Design layouts for AIS and GIS substations.
• Ensure plant designs comply with National Grid Technical Specifications, Electricity Transmission standards, IEC/BS EN regulations, and CDM Regulations.
• Provide technical guidance to engineers and designers; participate in design reviews, HAZID/HAZOP; resolve queries during EPC phases; review vendor drawings.

Skills

Analytical

Communication

Independence

Safety by design

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

IET member

Chartered Engineer status (CEng) in progress

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Autodesk products

CYMCAP

CDEGS

MS Office

Job description

Primary / HV Plant Design Engineer

HV Plant Design Engineer (132kV-400kV) - National Grid SR188 Experience

Job Purpose

The Primary / HV Plant Design Engineer is responsible for the design, engineering, and technical delivery of high-voltage substation plant systems for transmission and distribution projects. The role involves developing compliant designs in accordance with National Grid standards, particularly SR188 (Substation Layout Design Guidance), ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective solutions for new-build, refurbishment, and extension projects.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Engineering

• Produce HV substation plant designs for transmission voltage levels up to 400kV.
• Develop substation layouts in compliance with National Grid SR188 requirements.
• Prepare and review:
  • General arrangement drawings
  • Substation layouts
  • Equipment installation drawings
  • Electrical clearance studies
  • Earthing layouts
  • Busbar arrangements
  • Cable routing drawings
  • Design layouts for AIS and GIS substations.
• Ensure plant designs comply with:
  • National Grid Technical Specifications
  • Electricity Transmission standards
  • IEC, BS EN, and industry regulations
  • CDM Regulations

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical guidance to engineers and designers.
• Participate in design reviews, HAZID, HAZOP, and constructability assessments.
• Resolve technical queries during engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Review vendor drawings and equipment data for compliance.

Project Delivery

• Support project teams through FEED, detailed design, construction, and commissioning stages.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering interfaces (Civil, Protection & Control, Mechanical, and Primary Design).
• Ensure deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and to required quality standards.

Stakeholder Management

• Liaise with National Grid, DNOs, consultants, contractors, and equipment manufacturers.
• Attend technical meetings and client design review workshops.
• Support project approvals and design submissions.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent engineering discipline.
• Membership of a professional institution (IET preferred).
• Working towards or holding Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in HV substation primary plant design.
• Proven experience on National Grid transmission projects.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of National Grid SR188 Substation Layout Design Guidance.
• Experience designing substations within:
  • 132kV
  • 275kV
  • 400kV transmission networks
• Experience with AIS and GIS substations.
• Familiarity with National Grid design standards and policies.
• Experience reviewing supplier and contractor designs.

Technical Skills

National Grid Standards

• SR188 Substation Layout Design
• Engineering Technical Specifications (ETS)
• National Grid Transmission procedures
• Electrical safety clearances and insulation coordination

Design Knowledge

• Primary plant design
• Busbar configurations
• Switchgear layouts
• Power transformers
• Reactors
• CTs, VTs, CVTs
• Disconnectors and circuit breakers
• Surge arresters
• Earthing systems

Software

• AutoCAD
• MicroStation (preferred)
• Autodesk products
• CYMCAP (desirable)
• CDEGS (desirable)
• MS Office Suite

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and engineering problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to work independently and lead technical work packages.
• Strong understanding of safety-by-design principles.
• Attention to detail and commitment to engineering quality.

Desirable Experience

• National Grid EPC or framework projects.
• Offshore or renewable grid connection projects.
• Protection and Control interface knowledge.
• BIM and digital engineering experience.
• Experience supporting construction and commissioning activities.

Typical Deliverables

• Substation General Arrangement Drawings
• SR188-Compliant Layouts
• Equipment Clearance Studies
• Earthing Layouts
• Design Risk Assessments
• Technical Specifications
• Bill of Materials
• Design Reports
• Construction Support Documentation