Substation Lead Principal Engineer

Equal Approach Ltd; Perth; On-site; GBP 78,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare discounts

Gym memberships discounts

Cycle to Work

Family entitlements

Online GP

Job summary

SSEN Transmission is seeking an experienced professional to lead the Substation Team in Scotland, overseeing workload planning, recruitment, and development, while representing SSEN Transmission at industry events. The role focuses on design authority and ensuring safe, compliant, and standardised substations.

You will develop and manage technical specifications and guidance, review test plans, and assess suppliers to ensure equipment readiness for transmission networks.

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant Engineering discipline and Chartered Engineer status (or working towards) with a relevant institution.
• Relevant experience in managing a team of subject-matter experts and as a Design and Technical Authority.
• Demonstrable experience on an expert level in the design, construction and installation of transmission substations with modularisation/standardisation experience.
• Ability to assess substation design issues with understanding of operation and maintenance requirements.
• Knowledge of national/international standards and experience writing technical specifications and guidance notes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Substation Team including workload planning, recruitment, development and line management; contribute to the Substations leadership team and represent SSEN Transmission at industry events.
• Lead design reviews as the Design Authority, providing SME input and identifying necessary scope changes.
• Develop and manage technical specifications and guidance notes for Substation design, updating documents based on lessons learned and standardisation opportunities.
• Review test plans and assess suppliers/factories to ensure suitability for transmission network use.

Skills

Team leadership

Substation design

Engineering knowledge

Design Authority

Standards expertise

Education

Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer status (or pursuing)

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 – Perth, Aberdeen , Glasgow or Inverness.

Salary: £78,400 – £117,600 + car /car allowance + 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

The Network Engineering Team are part of the Network Directorate and are the Design and Technical Engineering Governance function for the Transmission Business. Their purpose is to ensure that suitable engineering guidance and specifications are in place for all Transmission projects and relevant business areas and that the design of the network and the equipment used ensures we operate safely, reliably and in compliance with the relevant legislation.

You will

• Manage the Substation Team including workload and resource planning, recruitment, development, and line management responsibilities , contribute to the wider Substations Group leadership team and represent SSEN Transmission at industry body events such as ENA, IEC or CIGRE working groups
• Lead design reviews as the Design Authority, offering Subject Matter Expert input to ensure project proposals are suitable for their purpose and to identify any necessary technical scope changes.
• Develop, maintain, and manage technical specifications and guidance notes for your area of expertise (Substation electrical design), while reviewing and updating existing documents based on project lessons learned , innovation and standardisation opportunities. Offer technical guidance and support to the transmission business within your discipline.
• As part of the Technical Authority, review test plans to ensure that all technology and equipment selected is adequately tested, proven and validated and review proposed suppliers and their factories to confirm their suitability to be approved for use on the transmission network

You have

• A degree in a relevant Engineering discipline and Chartered Engineer status (or working towards) with a relevant institution.
• Relevant experience in managing a team of subject-matter experts and as a Design and Technical Authority.
• Demonstrable experience on an expert level in the design, construction and installation of transmission substations ideally with experience of modularisation and standardisation.
• The ability and experience to technically assess issues, problems and/or faults related to substation design alongside an in depth understanding of the technical requirements for operation and maintenance of electrical substations.
• A detailed knowledge and understanding of a range of national and international standards alongside the capability and experience in writing technical specifications and guidance notes.

About SSE

SSEs 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 Andy on / 01738 275370 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.