Principal Engineer – Electrical Plant

SSEN Transmission; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare discounts

Gym memberships

Online GP access

Counselling service

Cycle to Work

Parental leave benefits

Job summary

SSEN Transmission is seeking a Principal Engineer – Electrical Plant to shape policy and support delivery of high‑voltage projects across our transmission network.

You will own specifications for substation electrical plant, act as Technical Authority, and collaborate with engineers, asset, operations and manufacturers to resolve complex challenges. Flexible first options available.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering and Chartered Engineer status or actively pursuing.
• Experience in design, specification, testing and application of electrical plant at 145 kV+.
• Strong ability to assess technical challenges and select optimal solutions.
• Knowledge of national and international standards.
• Experience writing technical specifications or guidance notes.
• Exposure to transmission voltage plant design, testing or maintenance is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own and improve technical specifications for substation electrical plant.
• Act as Technical Authority for new plant approvals and type testing.
• Support Design Authority reviews for safe and compliant designs.
• Collaborate with engineering, asset, operations and manufacturers to resolve technical challenges.
• Provide technical consultancy and mentor colleagues.
• Represent SSEN Transmission at industry events and bring back insights.

Skills

Substation design

GIS knowledge

HV equipment testing

Technical authority

Industry standards

Mentoring

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Job description

Base Location: For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Scottish locations and you'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in the office – Perth, Glasgow, Aberdeen or Inverness

Salary: £59,800 - £89,800 + car /car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

Our Network Engineering team provides technical governance across Transmission projects, ensuring engineering activities are safe, robust, fully supported and compliant with relevant legislation.

We're looking for a Principal Engineer – Electrical Plant to join our specialist team. This is a key role where you’ll help shape technical policy, influence industry standards, and support the delivery of innovative, future‑ready projects across our high‑voltage transmission network.

You will

• Own and improve technical specifications for substation electrical plant, including GIS, circuit breakers, transformers, HVDC and FACTS equipment.
• Act as Technical Authority for new plant approvals, reviewing designs and type testing against network requirements.
• Support Design Authority reviews to ensure substation and system designs are safe, compliant and fit for purpose.
• Collaborate with engineering, asset, operations, system design teams and manufacturers to resolve technical challenges.
• Provide technical consultancy, mentor colleagues and represent SSEN Transmission in industry forums.
• Represent SSEN Transmission and/or the UK at industry events and working groups (e.g. ENA, IEC, CIGRE), and bring back insights and best practices to strengthen our engineering approach.

You have

• A degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline, and Chartered Engineer status (or are actively working towards it).
• Strong experience in the design, specification, testing, and application electrical plant such as AIS, GIS, instrument transformers or FACTS/HVDC at transmission voltage levels of 145 kV and above.
• The ability to critically assess technical challenges and evaluate a range of solutions, with a solid understanding of the design, planning, operation, and development requirements of the transmission network.
• A detailed knowledge and understanding of a range relevant national and international standards.
• Experience writing technical specifications, guidance notes, or work instructions.
• Exposure to the design, manufacturing, testing, installation, or maintenance of transmission voltage plant and equipment is a plus.

We’re seeking someone with substantial experience in substation electrical plant, particularly design and type testing, ideally within the UK transmission network, who can bring deep technical insight and a collaborative mindset to our team. That said, we understand that expertise comes in many forms, and we’re open to hearing from candidates who meet most of the criteria and are eager to grow into the role.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to be restless every day until we make electricity clean, affordable and available for all.

We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. This includes electricity transmission and distribution networks, onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro‑electric power and flexible thermal generation. We also provide products and services for businesses and other customers.

Our investment plan will see SSE invest £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure to 2030.

SSEN Transmission own and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for the communities we serve. But that's not all – we're upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown power for the future and building the infrastructure needed for a cleaner electricity system to create secure power for generations to come.

Flexible Benefits To Fit Your Life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. please contact Andy on [e-mail] / 01738 275370 to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.