Principal Operations Engineer

National Grid plc; Ashford; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Standby allowance

Bonus & pension

Job summary

National Grid Interconnectors is seeking a Principal Operations Engineer to lead on HV converter stations, cables, and substations at the Sellindge interconnector. You will supervise technicians, coordinate outages, and ensure safe, compliant operation of all IFA assets.

You will drive fault investigations, mentor engineers, and work with contractors to maximise asset availability while adhering to NGV Interconnector Safety Rules and safety culture initiatives.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of HV & LV electrical/mechanical systems.
• Experience with commissioning/decommissioning equipment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, maintain, fault investigate & repair activities for IFA assets.
• Lead root-cause incident investigations and fault response.
• Line manage IFA technicians and contractors to ensure safety and efficiency.
• Mentor engineers to gain AP/SAP under NGV Interconnector Safety Rules.
• Manage outage planning and delivery to maximise asset availability.

Skills

HV/LV systems

AP/SAP authorisation

Line management

Project leadership

Safety compliance

Contractor management

Education

HNC in engineering or NVQ electrical

Tools

MAXIMO

Outage planning

Job description

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it’s so much more than that. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don’t plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us a Principal Operations Engineer and find your superpower.

National Grid is hiring a Principal Operations Engineer to join the operations team on site at our interconnector in Sellindge.

National Grid Interconnectors is at the heart of UK’s transition to our net zero energy future. We operate a number of HVDC interconnectors that connect the UK’s energy system to some of our closest neighbours, allowing energy to be imported to and exported from the UK. As well as already owning a portfolio of HVDC Interconnectors, we’re working on developing new projects in order to ensure that we are able to meet the UK’s future demands for greener energy solutions.

As our Principal Operations Engineer, you will have a critical role ensuring that IFA assets (Converter Station, Cables Systems, Substation & associated Operational Technology) maintains the highest level of operational performance.

You’ll lead on various deliverables and projects within IFA’s high voltage electricity Converter Station, supervising team members ensuring safe systems of work are implemented and followed, sharing your knowledge and expertise to ensure completion of maintenance, refurbishment or replacement works on a variety of plant and equipment at IFA

What you'll do

• Undertake a range of duties including monitoring, maintenance, fault investigation & repair, witnessing & testing & commission, record updating.
• Lead on technical or system related TapRoot Incident investigations.
• Lead on fault response incidents.
• Line Management of IFA Technicians, Routines Persons, Apprentices and Stores Persons, and supervising Engineers and Third-Party Contractors to ensure optimum efficiency, cost effectiveness, with high standards of environmental & safety performance.
• Supporting and mentoring development requirements for Engineers & Technicians to gain Authorised Persons (AP) & Senior Authorised Persons (SAP) under NGV Interconnector Safety Rules.
• Adhere to the site safety rules, establish safe systems or work (risk assessment), raise and issue safety documents to both NGV and Contractor Competent Persons (CP) ensuring safety from the system.
• Manage the delivery of specific deliverables and projects (enacting the Project Leader / Subject Matter Expert role) to maintain and improve the performance of our assets and systems.
• Undertaking standby and emergency call out duties, enacting the role of a Senior Authorised Person (SAP).
• Provide support and guidance around the evolution of the positive safety culture.
• Aid in the ongoing development regarding assurance of procedural compliance and consistency across Interconnectors.
• Responsible for ensuring Protection & Control maintenance compliance onsite.
• Represent IFA at both internal and external technical & planning meetings
• Managing the planning and delivery of outage maintenance periods to ensure all work is arranged, planned, and delivered in line with operational and safety processes and procedures and in a way that maximises availability and associated commercial value for the business.
• Manage & maintain a productive & collaborative interface with Service Providers & 3rd parties.
• Support implementation of the asset management and work planning tool (MAXIMO).
• Support Contract Management in Warranty & Service Providers KPI’s and management information

What you'll need

• Knowledge and experience of work and/or failures on HV & LV systems, encompassing both electrical and mechanical systems.
• Experience authorised and knowledge of commissioning and decommissioning equipment.
• Previous experience of preparing and undertaking High Voltage System State Certificates (HVSCC) & Site Responsibility Schedule (SRS)
• +3 years’ experience working within high voltage environment or similar environment.
• Educated to a minimum of HNC in an appropriate engineering discipline or NVQ in an electrical discipline or an equivalent recognised apprenticeship
• Strong experience managing and overseeing Contractor and in-house team performance including safety, health, environment & quality when carrying out work
• Experience of working and making critical business and operational decisions with conflicting priorities and under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of gaining a high degree of credibility and influencing with teams, particularly leading a team.
• Safety & environmental knowledge and understanding in respect of day-to-day duties, together with proven ability to respond to emergency situations.
• Experience in managing on-call activities and making decisions in ambiguous environments.
• Foundation knowledge of key Health, Safety and Environmental and Occupier legislation applicable within an operational environment and premises (i.e. Health and Safety at Work Act, Management of Health and Safety at work
• Regulations, CDM Regulations, Electricity at Work Regulations, Occupier Liability Act, Temporary Works.
• Experience of managing and delivering a diverse workforce, ranging from employed to contract personnel.
• Experience of delivering complex projects and a knowledge of basic project management techniques
• A Senior Authorised Person (SAP) authorisation and Project Leader experience would be desirable.

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £61,000 - £72,000 per annum– dependent on capability.

The role also comes with a company car and standby allowance.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

More information

This role closes on Friday 18th September at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.

National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

National Grid operates in both the UK and US, with a broad portfolio of energy businesses dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power.

From electricity and gas transmission to advancing clean energy and modernising grids, our work covers every aspect of the energy system.

Our energy flows through absolutely everything we do

Life here at National Grid is more than just our purpose or our values, it’s everything we put into everything we do. It’s our commitment to diversity and inclusion; how we help our employees learn and grow; and how we partner with and support the communities where we live and work. It’s all this, and so much more.

We leverage our collective strengths to do meaningful BIG work so that we can be at the heart of a fair and affordable energy future.

Your salary is reviewed each year against the market for your role, skills, knowledge and experience.

Incentive

Annual performance plan or bonus (depending on your role) rewards your contribution to your success each year.

Retirement

Generous pension plan with company contributions up to 12%.

Private medical insurance for self and family.