Senior Electrical Engineer - Substations and Transmission

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid and provident fund

CPD opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer in Pretoria to lead HV substation and transmission projects. You will design, specify equipment, and ensure compliance with standards while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams across projects.

The role requires deep expertise in high‑voltage systems, protection coordination, and hands‑on site involvement, with opportunities to mentor junior engineers and influence grid modernization initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with a Power Systems focus.
• Minimum 7 years' hands‑on design/engineering of HV substations and transmission lines.
• Proficiency in substation design software and power system analysis tools (AutoCAD, ETAP, PSS/E).
• Strong knowledge of protection schemes and relay settings for HV equipment.

Responsibilities

• Design and engineer high-voltage substations, including equipment specs (transformers, switchgear, breakers, busbars).
• Develop detailed electrical schematics, layouts, and single-line diagrams for substation projects.
• Perform load flow, short circuit, and protection coordination studies for transmission/substation systems.
• Specify and oversee procurement of electrical equipment for transmission and substation projects.
• Ensure designs comply with national/international standards (SANS, IEC, IEEE).
• Provide technical expertise during construction, commissioning and testing phases.
• Troubleshoot and resolve electrical issues related to substations and transmission lines.
• Collaborate with protection and control engineers to ensure system integrity.
• Conduct site inspections to ensure design adherence and identify improvements.
• Mentor junior engineers and share best practices in substation/transmission engineering.

Skills

Power systems

HV substations

Protection schemes

Project management

AutoCAD

ETAP

PSS/E

Regulations knowledge

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems)

Tools

AutoCAD

ETAP

PSS/E

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the utility and infrastructure development sector, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Electrical Engineer to focus on Substations and Transmission in Pretoria, Gauteng . This role is vital for the design, development, and maintenance of critical high-voltage substations and transmission line infrastructure across the region. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of the power delivery network. You will work on challenging projects, contributing to the expansion and upgrade of South Africa's electrical grid. Our client is committed to enhancing energy accessibility and stability through robust engineering solutions. This position offers a chance to leverage your expertise in high-voltage systems and play a key role in shaping essential infrastructure. You will collaborate with project managers, construction teams, and other engineering disciplines to deliver projects on time and within budget. The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to maintaining the highest engineering standards. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineer to take on greater responsibility and make a tangible impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and engineer high-voltage substations, including equipment specifications (transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers, busbars).
• Develop detailed electrical schematics, layouts, and single-line diagrams for substation projects.
• Perform load flow, short circuit, and protection coordination studies for transmission and substation systems.
• Specify and oversee the procurement of electrical equipment for transmission and substation projects.
• Ensure all designs comply with national and international standards (e.g., SANS, IEC, IEEE).
• Provide technical expertise during the construction, commissioning, and testing phases of projects.
• Troubleshoot and resolve electrical issues related to substations and transmission lines.
• Collaborate with protection and control engineers to ensure system integrity.
• Conduct site inspections and assessments to ensure design adherence and identify potential improvements.
• Mentor junior engineers and share knowledge on substation and transmission engineering best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, with a specialization in Power Systems.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in the design and engineering of high-voltage substations and transmission lines.
• Proficiency in substation design software and power system analysis tools (e.g., AutoCAD, ETAP, PSS/E).
• Strong understanding of protection schemes and relay settings for high-voltage equipment.
• Experience with project management and construction oversight.
• Knowledge of relevant South African electrical codes and regulations.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) registration is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and provident fund.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and advanced training.
• Exposure to large-scale national infrastructure projects.
• A supportive and experienced engineering team.
• Generous leave policy.
• Company-provided vehicle or travel allowance.
• Potential for advancement within the organization.