Principal Engineer – Transformers

SSE plc; Inverness; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Gym memberships

Online GP

Counselling service

Cycle to Work

Maternity pay

Adoption pay

Paternity leave

Job summary

SSE plc, through SSEN Transmission, seeks a Principal Engineer – Transformers to define policy, influence industry standards and steer innovative projects for the high‑voltage transmission network.

You will own specifications for electrical wound plant, review tests, witness testing, and contribute to design reviews as SME within a broad SSEN Transmission team. The position is based in Scotland with flexible options.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering and Chartered Engineer status.
• Expert-level experience with design, specification and application of transmission voltage wound plant.
• Knowledge of National Grid, British and European Standards.
• Ability to assess issues, evaluate technical solutions, and apply design knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Write and own specifications for electrical wound plant and transformers.
• Review and update specifications based on lessons and technology.
• Review test plans and assess supplier suitability for the transmission network.
• Witness testing of transformers and perform technical audits.
• Provide technical consultancy across SSEN Transmission and represent SSEN at industry bodies.

Skills

Expert in wound plant design

Standards knowledge

Critical thinking/problem solving

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer status

Job description

Base Location: For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Scottish locations – Glasgow, Perth, Inverness or Aberdeen.

Salary: £59,800 - £89,800 + 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

At SSEN Transmission, we are building a smarter, more flexible network for net zero, delivering clean, secure and affordable electricity for generations to come.

Network Engineering, within the Asset Management and Operations Directorate, provides the technical governance that ensures our Transmission network is designed and operated safely, reliably and in line with relevant legislation.

We're looking for a Principal Engineer – Transformers to define technical policy, influence industry standards and support innovative projects across our high-voltage transmission network.

You will

• Write, maintain and own technical specifications and guidance notes for electrical wound plant, including grid transformers, super-grid transformers, HVDC converter transformers, shunt/series reactors and earthing/auxiliary transformers used on the Transmission network.
• Review existing specifications and update them based on lessons learned from projects and developments in technology.
• As part of the Technical Authority, review test plans to ensure technology and equipment selected is adequately tested, proven and validated, and review proposed suppliers to confirm their suitability for use on the transmission network.
• Witness testing of transformers in manufacturers' facilities, carry out technical audits of manufacturing facilities and provide Subject Matter Expert input to design reviews carried out by the Design Authority.
• Provide technical consultancy services across SSEN Transmission, support the development of colleagues, share specialist knowledge and represent SSEN Transmission at industry body events such as ENA, IEC or CIGRE working groups.

You have

• A degree in Electrical Engineering or another relevant engineering discipline, alongside Chartered Engineer status with a relevant institution or working towards chartered status.
• Expert-level experience in the design, specification and application of transmission voltage wound plant, including grid transformers, super-grid transformers, HVDC converter transformers, shunt/series reactors and earthing/auxiliary transformers.
• The ability and experience to technically assess issues and problems, critically evaluate a range of technical solutions and apply an in-depth understanding of the requirements for design, planning, installation, operation and maintenance of wound plant.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of National Grid, British and European Standards, with capability and experience in writing technical specifications, guidance notes and work instructions for wound plant.
• Experience in the manufacturing and testing of transmission voltage wound plant and equipment would also be advantageous.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plansees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

SSEN Transmission owns and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport energy 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 energy for the future and building a network for net zero 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.

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.