Principal Engineer - Primary Plant

Iberdrola SA; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 69,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

A major engineering firm in Edinburgh seeks a Principal Engineer – Primary Plant to oversee engineering designs for Substation systems. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in transmission design and a solid engineering background. Responsibilities include preparing specifications and ensuring design compliance on HVDC projects. The role offers competitive salary, a car allowance, medical cover, and opportunities for professional development while contributing to the push for Net Zero by 2044.

Benefits

Car Allowance

Private Family Medical Cover

Double-match pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development support

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in transmission Primary Plant design.
• Proven experience/expert knowledge in design of Primary Plant equipment.
• Direct or indirect line management and leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare engineering specifications and designs for Substation Primary Plant systems.
• Oversee the technical assessment of tender submissions.
• Assure Primary Plant designs by EPC Contractor during HVDC Projects.

Skills

Design of Primary Plant equipment

CDM and Health & Safety implementation

Leadership and management

Presentation skills

Education

Engineering qualification (BSc / BEng)

Postgraduate qualification (MBA, MEng, MSc)

Job description

PLEASE NOTE THIS ADVERT CLOSES the day before any automated date shown. Please refer to the closing date in the body of the advert.

Salary: From £69,200 to £86,500, plus up to 20% of salary, Car Allowance, Private Family Medical Cover and Double Match Pension.

What you’ll be doing

• Responsible for preparing basic and detailed engineering specifications and designs for Substation Primary Plant systems.
• Responsible for overseeing technical assessment of tender submissions and negotiations with Bidders.
• Responsible for assuring Primary Plant designs undertaken by EPC Contractor during the delivery of HVDC Projects.

About the role

Job Title – Principal Engineer – Primary Plant.
Location: Edinburgh

With plans to see SP Energy Networks (SPEN), part of the ScottishPower Group, invest over £5 bn in transmission projects across our network in central and southern Scotland by 2030. The HVDC team will play a key role in supporting SPEN to work at pace to deliver the transmission network required to support the ambitions of Scottish and UK Government 2030 targets.

You will be part of the SP Transmission HVDC Projects team, undertaking the Engineering Design function for Primary Plant in the Eastern Green Link (EGL) Projects. You will provide Primary Plant expert advice across the HVDC Projects portfolio and work with engineering experts from SPTs, project joint venture partners, and the contractor to support delivery of interconnector projects and to ensure innovative designs for Primary Plant equipment meet specified functional technical requirements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience/expert knowledge in design of Primary Plant equipment and associated ancillaries at voltages of 33 kV to 400 kV AC and applicable voltages for HVDC links.
• Ability to implement, apply and promote CDM and Health & Safety best practice in a design environment.
• Ability to manage under pressure and prioritise tasks in a fast‑paced environmentонад причи demanding workload.
• Experience in working in a dynamic environment and ensuring delivery of engineering outputs.
• Direct or indirect line management and leadership experience with interfaces with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to operate in an environment of uncertainty and incomplete information and make well‑reasoned decisions.
• Ability to lead by example and drive transformational change.
• Good presentation skills, including the ability to apply persuasive influence to drive decisions through engineering analysis.

Minimum Requirements

• Engineering qualification (BSc / BEng) and/or postgraduate qualification (MBA, MEng, MSc) or.sections relevant experience. Chartered Engineer preferred.
• Experience in an engineering EPC environment of multiple large strategic projects.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in transmission Primary Plant design.
• Excellent leadership, communication,muştur interpersonal skills.

Benefits

In addition to the salary, you will receive a Car Allowance, Private Family Medical Cover and a double‑match pension scheme (company matches up to 10% of your contribution). Other benefits include flexible working arrangements, professional development support and employee engagement initiatives.

We operate over 4,000 km of cables and lines that make up the transmission network—connecting infrastructure like wind farms into the electricity system. The role places you at the heart of Scotland’s ambition to be Net Zero by 2044. Inclusion, diversity and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do, and together with our values we bring people together for a stronger, more sustainable business.