Remote Lead Electrical Design Engineer - High Voltage

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Global project exposure

Competitive remuneration

Advanced design tools

Professional growth

Autonomy

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Electrical Design Engineer to head high-voltage substation design for international projects. This fully remote role requires steering a team of engineers, delivering compliant layouts, and ensuring technical excellence across IEC/IEEE standards.

You will supervise calculations (load flow, short circuit, insulation coordination), develop protection schemes, review vendor drawings, and mentor junior staff.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. or B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering with power systems specialization.
• ≥10 years in high-voltage substation design.
• Leadership experience overseeing design teams.
• Proficiency with HV equipment and protection schemes.

Responsibilities

• Lead HV substation design including layouts and diagrams.
• Perform load flow, short circuit, grounding calculations.
• Develop and review protection and control schemes.
• Mentor engineers and ensure design quality.
• Ensure compliance with IEC/IEEE standards.
• Collaborate with project teams for seamless execution.
• Review vendor documentation.
• Drive innovation in HV design.

Skills

Leadership

HV Substation Design

Project Management

IEC/IEEE Standards

Team Mentoring

Education

M.Sc./B.Eng in Electrical Engineering

Tools

HV design software

Simulation tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a world-renowned leader in power transmission and distribution infrastructure, is seeking a highly experienced Lead Electrical Design Engineer to join their global engineering team on a fully remote basis. This senior role is responsible for leading the electrical design aspects of complex high-voltage substation projects, ensuring technical excellence and project success. You will guide a team of engineers, oversee design processes, and provide expert technical consultation on challenging high-voltage applications. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of grid infrastructure, protection systems, and robust design methodologies. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned professional to contribute to major international projects from the comfort of their home office, offering significant autonomy and impact. We are looking for a strategic thinker with exceptional leadership capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical design of high-voltage substations (e.g., 132kV, 275kV, 400kV), including layout, single-line diagrams, and equipment specifications.
• Oversee and perform detailed engineering calculations, including load flow, short circuit, grounding, and insulation coordination.
• Develop and review protection and control schemes for substation equipment.
• Manage and mentor a team of electrical design engineers, providing technical guidance and support.
• Ensure designs comply with international standards (IEC, IEEE) and client-specific requirements.
• Collaborate with project managers, procurement, and construction teams to ensure seamless project execution.
• Review vendor documentation and drawings for substation equipment.
• Contribute to risk assessments and mitigation strategies for electrical designs.
• Drive innovation and implementation of new technologies in high-voltage substation design.
• Champion best practices in electrical engineering design and quality assurance.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering, with a strong specialization in power systems or high-voltage engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in the design of high-voltage electrical substations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing engineering design teams and projects.
• Expert knowledge of high-voltage equipment (transformers, circuit breakers, surge arresters, etc.).
• Proficiency with high-voltage design software and simulation tools.
• Strong understanding of power system protection, grounding, and earthing principles.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills, essential for remote collaboration.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and make sound technical decisions.
• Professional registration with a recognized engineering body (e.g., ECSA) is highly preferred.
• Experience with international projects is a plus.

Benefits

• Fully remote position with excellent work-life balance and global project exposure.
• Highly competitive remuneration package commensurate with senior leadership and expertise.
• Opportunity to lead significant high-voltage infrastructure projects on an international scale.
• Access to advanced design tools and cutting-edge power system technologies.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and influence within a global organization.
• Direct impact on the development of critical energy infrastructure.