Principal HV Substation Engineer - Lead Design & Mentoring

Jacobs; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free single medical cover

Digital GP service

Enhanced parental leave pay

Employee assistance and parental leave

Matched volunteering and communitygive

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Primary Substation Engineer to support high-profile projects across the Power & Energy portfolio in the UK. The role covers 132kV–400kV HV substation design, FEED and detailed design for National Grid and DNO clients, and leadership of technical workstreams.

You will mentor junior engineers, engage with clients, and contribute to bids and technical offers while promoting safe, compliant design practices and collaboration across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Proven experience in HV substation design (132kV–400kV) within UK transmission/ distribution environments.
• Familiarity with National Grid and DNO standards and processes.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical workstreams and contribute to strategic project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead FEED and detailed design workstreams for National Grid and DNO clients.
• Ensure quality assurance and timely delivery of design packages and bids.
• Review HV plant aspects including layouts, earthing, interlocking, busbar calculations, and specifications.
• Coordinate with back-office engineers, suppliers, and subcontractors.
• Attend and contribute to design reviews, hazard reviews, FAT and SAT.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior engineers.
• Support tendering activities and contribute to technical offers.
• Maintain strong client relationships and support business development.

Skills

HV substation design

Project leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Design reviews

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Primary Substation Engineer to support high-profile projects across the Power & Energy portfolio in the UK. The role covers 132kV–400kV HV substation design, FEED and detailed design for National Grid and DNO clients, and leadership of technical workstreams.

You will mentor junior engineers, engage with clients, and contribute to bids and technical offers while promoting safe, compliant design practices and collaboration across disciplines.