Lead Engineer (Electrical Planning and Design)

National Grid plc; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

National Grid plc seeks an experienced Lead Engineer (Electrical Planning and Design) to drive reliability and efficiency of electric transmission and distribution across NY sites including Buffalo, Syracuse, and Albany. Responsibilities include developing standards, designing control systems, and supporting construction and maintenance efforts while ensuring regulatory compliance and strategic objectives.

A strong candidate will have 10+ years of relevant experience and a track record in

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical, Civil/Structural, or Mechanical Engineering from ABET-accredited school.
• Master's degree or PE/EIT preferred for some roles.
• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience in transmission, distribution, or substation.
• Strong working knowledge of industry standards and NESC.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to travel; extended hours for emergencies or events.
• Valid driver's license with safe driving record.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and contribute to the development and implementation of Substation Engineering standards and procedures; identify risks and ensure compliance.
• Provide technical support to Engineering, Design, Operations, IT and Construction.
• Review single lines, elementaries, plans and elevations, conduit, cable schedules, BOMs and drawings.
• Research and support adoption of new technologies for substations, including pilots; perform grounding, sizing, protection studies.
• Develop short/long-term area plans and conceptual project plans for infrastructure needs.
• Support application, operation, and maintenance of electric transmission and distribution systems; evaluate interconnection requests.
• Resolve fault duty, stray voltage, and power quality issues.

Skills

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Leadership capability

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree (B.S.)

Tools

IEEE standards

NESC knowledge

Job description

Lead Engineer (Electrical Planning and Design)

About us

National Grid is hiring Lead Engineers for our Electric Organization, with several positions based in Syracuse, Albany or Buffalo, NY.

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record put us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful, we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow ourselves and our business.

Job Purpose

Lead Engineers at National Grid play a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of our electric transmission and distribution systems. These positions involve developing standards, designing control systems, managing assets, and integrating new technologies. Lead Engineers work across various departments to support construction, maintenance, and operation of electrical systems, contributing to strategic business objectives and regulatory compliance.

Key Accountabilities

Substation Standards

• Prepare and contribute to the development, technical content and implementation of National Grid’s Substation Engineering and Design philosophy, standards, guidelines, equipment specifications and procedures; identify risks and put in place actions to ensure compliance with standards and regulatory requirements.
• Technical support provided to various departments including Engineering, Design, Operations, IT and Construction.
• Review single lines, elementaries, physicals (plans and elevations), conduit and cable schedules, lighting, lightning, bill of materials, etc. including manufacturers’ drawings.
• Research and support the adoption of new and innovative technologies for the substation business, including support of pilots. Ability to perform calculations and studies (grounding, AC & DC system sizing, lightning protection, lighting, rigid bus design, etc.) to support substation standards design basis.

Distribution Planning and Asset Management.

• Assess the performance of the sub-Transmission and Distribution system performance regarding capacity and reliability and develop modernization plans as necessary.
• Conduct short- and long-term area studies and develop long term integrated/area plans for infrastructure development to meet National Grid’s strategic objectives.
• Develop conceptual project plans that if implemented economically address identified T&D system needs.
• Provide technical support to internal and external departments for the application, operation, and maintenance of the electric transmission and distribution system. Evaluate co-generation interconnection requests for impact on the distribution system and develop plans for suitable connection.
• Resolve customer issues and operating problems, i.e., fault duty calculations, stray voltage, power quality, motor start, etc

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Civil/Structural, or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited school.
• A Master's degree or Professional Engineer in Training Certificate (EIT) or Engineering (PE) license is preferred for some roles.
• Minimum 10+ years relevant engineering experience, with specific experience in transmission, distribution, or substation engineering.
• Strong working knowledge of industry standards, safety standards, and current design codes, especially the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of relevant industry practice, standards and legislation including technical advancements Valid driver's license with a safe driving record.
• Willingness to travel for meetings, training, and conferences, including potential extended hours for emergencies or system events.

Technical Skills – Electric Standards

Working knowledge of industry standards, safety standards, and existing electrical design codes including put not limited to substation construction and maintenance practices, electric utility practices, substation materials and equipment, grounding and lightning study analysis, IEEE, ANSI, NFPA 70, ASTM, NEC, and NESC codes

More Information

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Internal candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.

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 our success each year.

Retirement

Generous pension plan with company contributions up to 12%.

Private medical insurance for self and family.