Principal Electrical Engineer - PSC

Wood; Reading; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal opportunity employer

Diversity-promoting workplace

Job summary

Wood is currently recruiting for a Principal Electrical Engineer (contract) to work in their Reading office. The role entails leading electrical power system studies and ensures compliance with industry standards while collaborating with engineering teams.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in FEED and EPC projects, particularly within the Oil & Gas industry, and familiarity with power system study software like ETAP.

Wood supports clients across the full asset lifecycle in the energy sector, promoting safety and resilient operations.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in engineering and design.
• Proficiency with power system study software.
• Experience managing third‑party power system study consultants.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical power system studies for projects.
• Review design packages and manage technical documentation.
• Coordinate with project managers on electrical engineering scope.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Power system studies

Software ETAP

Project execution

Knowledge of NEC, IEEE/ANSI standards

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ETAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Wood is currently recruiting for a Principal Electrical Engineer (contract) to work in our Reading Green Park office. The role will be on a full-time basis.

The Role

As a Principal Electrical Engineer, you will lead electrical power system studies and play a key role in the design, development, and delivery of electrical systems across Pre‑FEED, FEED, and EPC projects within the energy sector. You will ensure all work complies with relevant industry standards and codes, while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Drawing on your extensive experience in FEED and EPC projects within the Oil & Gas industry, you will be responsible for preparing, reviewing, and delivering high‑quality design packages. You will also perform detailed power system studies using specialist software such as ETAP (or equivalent), supported by a strong understanding of power systems and digital control technologies.

Experience working with Middle East‑based clients and projects, particularly Saudi Aramco, is highly desirable.

Our Clients and Projects

Wood’s Projects business unit specialises in delivering predictable and consistent results in high‑complexity projects that include new technology, challenging construction logistics and sheer scale. Across any major capital project lifecycle, we provide a full suite of solutions from programme and project management, to engineering and design, procurement, construction and project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Review design packages for electrical systems and equipment, including drawings, datasheets, scope of work, calculations, bill of material, preliminary cost estimates, hazardous area classification and power system study.
• Prepare the Project Design Basis Document and load lists based on the project scope.
• Produce technical reports and specifications for specific electrical equipment.
• Carry out power system studies and network analysis using ETAP, Paladin, SKM, PSS/E, including load flow, short‑circuit, relay coordination, harmonic, arc flash, system grounding, dynamic motor studies and transient stability.
• Manage and review study work by third‑party consultants for electromagnetic transient studies conducted on PSCAD/EMTP‑RV software, including lightning, switching, insulation coordination and transformer energisation studies.
• Assist in electrical activities of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors during the FEED and design phase.
• Coordinate with project managers to finalize the electrical engineering scope for the entire project.
• Carry out analysis of major equipment selected in the design package.
• Review and respond to technical and site queries.
• Experience in project execution in accordance with client and worldwide industrial standards.
• Monitor and review, in coordination with client PMT, the performance and work quality of contractors.
• Ensure that contractor design work complies with client design standards, applicable codes and acceptable work practices.
• Assist project managers and engineers in evaluating material requisitions, technical bid evaluation and award recommendation, and provide procurement support.
• Review and evaluate change orders to ensure compliance with standards and budget alignment.
• Work closely with engineering teams to ensure facility integrity in terms of HSE.
• Provide technical assurance for electrical discipline deliverables.
• Recommend improvement solutions for installations or modifications to enhance existing facilities and standards.
• Implement power system automation for electrical power generation and distribution systems.

Qualifications – Expected

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a BA in Science with a focus on Electrical Engineering.
• Extensive experience in engineering and design.
• Proficiency with power system study software (ETAP or similar) and Microsoft Office.
• Pre‑FEED, FEED, EPC and EPCm project experience with power system studies to drive project decisions.
• Knowledge of NEC, IEEE/ANSI, IEC and other international electrical standards.
• Excellent written and spoken English for technical analysis, presentations and technical documentation.
• Experience managing third‑party power system study consultants.
• Experience on Middle East–based projects, including Saudi Aramco.

Qualifications – Desirable

• Chartered Engineer.
• Experience providing site support and construction during EPC phase.
• Familiarity with analog and digital control systems, including PSA, DCS, PLC and SCADA.

About Us

Wood is a global leader in consulting, engineering and operations for the energy and materials sectors. With 33,000 people in around 50 countries, Wood supports clients across the full asset lifecycle, delivering safe, predictable outcomes while enabling resilient operations and a lower‑carbon future. Wood forms the Energy & Materials pillar of Sidara – a global partnership uniting leading multidisciplinary engineering, design and project management companies. www.woodgroup.com

Diversity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following: race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.