Principal Substation Engineer

SSE; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 59,800 - 89,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare discounts

Gym memberships discounts

Online GP

Counselling service

Cycle to Work

Family entitlements

Job summary

SSE's SSEN Transmission is seeking a Principal Substation Engineer to join their Technical Engineering team in Project Engineering, focused on standardisation, design improvements and innovation adoption for a Net Zero network in Scotland.

The role requires a Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership, extensive substation design experience (132kV–400kV), and ability to lead technical workstream delivery while developing junior engineers and collaborating with external consultants.

Qualifications

• A degree in electrical engineering and Chartered Engineer status or actively working towards chartered status.
• Extensive experience in substation design and delivery for HV (132kV–400kV) projects.
• Strong knowledge of UK transmission network regulations and CDM/SQSS considerations.

Responsibilities

• Promote best practices in substation design and drive standardisation and innovation.
• Provide technical support and coaching to junior engineers and help recruit new team members.
• Ensure project technical requirements align with regional strategy and TA approval needs.
• Lead design reviews, collaborate with senior management and external consultants.
• Support broader technical improvement initiatives within the team.

Skills

Substation design

HV switchgear

Busbar bay systems

Earthing systems

System modelling

LV systems

Stakeholder communication

Education

Electrical engineering degree

Chartered Engineer status / in progress

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 – Glasgow, Perth, Aberdeen, 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 OR Fixed Term Contract OR Secondment | Full Time OR Part Time | Flexible First options available

The role

As part of SSEN Transmissions Onshore Portfolio of works, we have an opportunity for a Principal Substation Engineer to join our Technical Engineering team within Project Engineering to help drive forward our substation engineering design, with a focus on standardisation, design improvements, innovation adoption, team training and in turn help deliver a network for Net Zero.

You will

• Promote and implement best practice within the substation design team, bringing your experience to provide suggested improvements in design, specifications and innovation of technology, with a specific focus on switchgear, busbar bay systems, earthing systems, system modelling implications, as well as LV systems.
• Have core responsibilities for developing substation standardisation, including implementation in designs through senior and project engineers for all substation projects associated with AC engineering from development through to delivery.
• Provide technical support and training to more junior engineers to drive their personal development and performance to fulfil their potential, as well as support the growth of the team with the recruitment of new team members.
• Ensure that project technical requirements align with regional strategy and standardised design, by supporting projects, where required, to ensure early identification of Technical Authority (TA) approval requirements for switchgear and LV systems.
• Support the Lead Principal Substation Engineer with tasks associated with standard design, innovation, team development and wider stakeholder technical improvement initiatives.

You have

• A degree in a electrical engineering and be a Chartered Engineer or actively working towards chartered status.
• Significant experience in substation design and delivery, with specific experience of HV (132kV to 400kV) switchgear, busbar bay systems, earthing systems, system modelling implications on substation design and LV systems.
• Technical knowledge of the Transmission network, with strong technical understanding of all elements regarding electrical transmission substation design, and detailed technical understanding of facilitating functions and an understanding of legal and regulatory obligations in the UK.
• In depth technical knowledge of relevant legislation and the implications for Transmission network management for both assets and projects, including CDM, ESQCR and SQSS.
• Built strong relationships and understanding of consultants and external industry experts and the ability to communicate and challenge complex technical issues and recommendations in a clear and concise manner to facilitate decision making by senior management.

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 plan sees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

SSEN Transmission own 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. Please contact shirley-anne.o'[e-mail] / 01738 351976 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.