Principal Electrical Consulting Engineer

GHD; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid working

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Private medical cover

Professional development support

Job summary

A global engineering firm is seeking a Principal Electrical Consulting Engineer to lead complex power projects across the UK and beyond. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years in power systems, expertise in high-voltage equipment, and strong client engagement skills. This position offers a hybrid work environment, competitive salary, and numerous benefits, including career development opportunities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in power systems engineering.
• Broad understanding of the UK electricity sector.
• Experience with FAT, SAT, commissioning, and on-site works.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver complex electrical engineering projects.
• Act as technical lead on major power system projects.
• Build strong client relationships and contribute to business development.

Skills

Deep technical knowledge

Leadership skills

Consulting experience

Expertise in high-voltage systems

Client engagement

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering (BEng/BSc minimum)

MEng/MSc desirable

Tools

High-voltage plant and equipment

Power cable system design

Power system protection and control

Job description

Overview

Principal Electrical Consulting Engineer at GHD — join to apply for the Principal Electrical Consulting Engineer role at GHD.

About Us

We are a global network of multi-disciplinary professionals providing clients with integrated solutions through engineering, environmental, design and construction expertise. Our future-focused, innovative approaches connect and support communities around the world, building resiliency and sustainability for generations to come. Established in 1928, we remain wholly owned by our people. We are 10,000+ diverse and skilled individuals connected by over 200 offices, across five continents.

Shape the Future of Energy with GHD. We’re helping to reimagine how energy systems are designed, delivered and operated to meet the challenges of the future. We’re seeking a Principal Electrical Consulting Engineer to join our growing UK Power team and provide technical leadership on transformative projects across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Australia. This is an opportunity to be part of a global, employee-owned business where your expertise will help clients navigate the complex energy transition—while also shaping the next generation of engineering talent.

Job Description

At GHD we are committed to addressing the world’s biggest challenges in the areas of energy, water and communities.

Your Role

As a Principal Engineer, you will lead and deliver complex electrical engineering projects, while also playing a key role in client engagement, technical development and team leadership. Your responsibilities will include:

• Acting as technical lead on major power system projects (transmission, distribution and generation).
• Leading the design, specification and integration of high-voltage systems, including substations, cable systems, transformers, switchgear, and reactive compensation equipment.
• Delivering FEED and conceptual studies, technical due diligence and serving as Owner’s Engineer.
• Providing expert input into power system protection, equipment specification, and system performance assessments.
• Supporting factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, and construction support.
• Building strong client relationships, identifying new opportunities and contributing to business development and tendering activities.
• Mentoring and developing junior engineers, sharing knowledge across UK and international teams.

What You’ll Bring: Skills & Experience

We’re looking for an engineer who combines deep technical knowledge with strong consulting and leadership skills. You will have:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering (BEng/BSc minimum; MEng/MSc desirable).
• 10+ years’ experience in power systems engineering within transmission, distribution, or generation projects.
• Broad understanding of the UK electricity sector, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder landscape.
• In-depth technical expertise in at least one of the following:
• High-voltage plant and equipment (switchgear, transformers, harmonic filters, dynamic reactive compensation)
• Power cable system design and specification
• Power system protection and control
• Experience with design, specification, construction, operation and maintenance of HV electrical infrastructure.
• Previous exposure to consulting or client-facing roles, with the ability to deliver advice that is both technically rigorous and commercially grounded.
• Experience with FAT, SAT, commissioning and on-site works (desirable).
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or working towards with a relevant institution (e.g. IET).

Why Join GHD?

At GHD, we know that great people make great business. That’s why we offer a supportive, flexible and inclusive culture, plus:

• Competitive salary and performance-linked benefits.
• Hybrid working – manage your time to achieve balance.
• 25 days annual leave, plus option to buy up to 4 additional weeks.
• Pension scheme, private medical cover, and income protection.
• Enhanced parental leave and family-friendly policies.
• Voluntary benefits, including cycle to work, discounted gym membership, and retail savings.
• Access to Employee Network Groups and wellbeing programmes.
• A clear pathway for career development—whether you want to grow as a technical expert, client leader, or people manager.
• International opportunities across GHD’s global network of 10,000+ professionals.
• Strong support for professional development and achieving/maintaining chartered status.

Apply

Apply now to join GHD as a Principal Electrical Consulting Engineer and help design the power systems of tomorrow.