Lead Design Engineer

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Overview

I'm supporting a long-established UK engineering company specialising in power systems and grid infrastructure to recruit a Lead Design Engineer with strong expertise in high-voltage (HV) substation design. This is a senior, hands-on technical role where you'll lead the design and delivery of complex transmission and distribution (T&D) projects. You'll play a critical role in shaping engineering solutions across AIS and GIS substations, ensuring designs are robust, compliant, and fit for purpose from concept through to commissioning.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the end-to-end design of HV substations (typically 11kV-400kV) across transmission and distribution networks
  • Deliver detailed design for both AIS (Air Insulated Substations) and GIS (Gas Insulated Substations)
  • Perform and review busbar design and calculations, including thermal rating, fault level withstand, and mechanical forces
  • Produce and approve key design deliverables:
    • Single Line Diagrams (SLDs)
    • Protection & Control schematics
    • General Arrangements (GA) and layout drawings
    • Cable schedules and interconnection diagrams
  • Undertake primary and secondary design coordination, ensuring full system integration
  • Carry out power system studies (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination where applicable)
  • Ensure compliance with relevant standards (e.g. IEC, BS EN, National Grid, DNO specifications)
  • Provide technical leadership, design assurance, and peer review across projects
  • Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and commissioning activities
  • Act as a key technical interface with clients, contractors, and equipment suppliers

Requirements

  • Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience)
  • Significant experience in HV/EHV substation design within T&D environments
  • Strong knowledge of:
    • Substation layouts and equipment (transformers, switchgear, CTs/VTs, circuit breakers)
    • AIS and GIS technologies
    • Busbar systems and associated calculations
    • Protection & control principles
  • Experience leading design packages or full project lifecycle delivery
  • Proficiency in engineering design tools (e.g. AutoCAD, EPLAN, or equivalent)
  • Strong understanding of UK grid codes, safety standards, and industry best practice

Desirable

  • Experience with National Grid/DNO projects
  • Familiarity with IEC 61850 and substation automation systems (SCADA)
  • Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards
  • Experience with power system analysis software (e.g. ETAP, DIgSILENT, SKM)

What's on offer

  • Senior technical leadership role within a specialist engineering business
  • Opportunity to work on critical UK energy infrastructure projects
  • Exposure to a wide range of HV substation designs across T&D networks
  • Flexible/hybrid working environment
  • Ongoing professional development and support toward chartership
  • Competitive salary and benefits package

The salary is £60,000 to £80,000 plus benefits and they work to a hybrid model of 3x days per week in the office

#J-18808-Ljbffr”, “datePosted”: “2026-04-30”, “hiringOrganization”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “JAM Recruitment Ltd”, “sameAs”: “https://uk.whatjobs.com/pub_api__cpl__417969943__4861?utm_campaign=publisher&utm_medium=api&utm_source=4861&geoID=33413” }, “jobLocation”: { “@type”: “Place”, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “addressLocality”: “Newcastle under Lyme” } } }
Company: JAM Recruitment Ltd
Apply for the Lead Design Engineer
Location: Newcastle under Lyme
Job Description:

Overview

I’m supporting a long-established UK engineering company specialising in power systems and grid infrastructure to recruit a Lead Design Engineer with strong expertise in high-voltage (HV) substation design. This is a senior, hands-on technical role where you’ll lead the design and delivery of complex transmission and distribution (T&D) projects. You’ll play a critical role in shaping engineering solutions across AIS and GIS substations, ensuring designs are robust, compliant, and fit for purpose from concept through to commissioning.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the end-to-end design of HV substations (typically 11kV-400kV) across transmission and distribution networks
  • Deliver detailed design for both AIS (Air Insulated Substations) and GIS (Gas Insulated Substations)
  • Perform and review busbar design and calculations, including thermal rating, fault level withstand, and mechanical forces
  • Produce and approve key design deliverables:
    • Single Line Diagrams (SLDs)
    • Protection & Control schematics
    • General Arrangements (GA) and layout drawings
    • Cable schedules and interconnection diagrams
  • Undertake primary and secondary design coordination, ensuring full system integration
  • Carry out power system studies (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination where applicable)
  • Ensure compliance with relevant standards (e.g. IEC, BS EN, National Grid, DNO specifications)
  • Provide technical leadership, design assurance, and peer review across projects
  • Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and commissioning activities
  • Act as a key technical interface with clients, contractors, and equipment suppliers

Requirements

  • Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience)
  • Significant experience in HV/EHV substation design within T&D environments
  • Strong knowledge of:
    • Substation layouts and equipment (transformers, switchgear, CTs/VTs, circuit breakers)
    • AIS and GIS technologies
    • Busbar systems and associated calculations
    • Protection & control principles
  • Experience leading design packages or full project lifecycle delivery
  • Proficiency in engineering design tools (e.g. AutoCAD, EPLAN, or equivalent)
  • Strong understanding of UK grid codes, safety standards, and industry best practice

Desirable

  • Experience with National Grid/DNO projects
  • Familiarity with IEC 61850 and substation automation systems (SCADA)
  • Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards
  • Experience with power system analysis software (e.g. ETAP, DIgSILENT, SKM)

What’s on offer

  • Senior technical leadership role within a specialist engineering business
  • Opportunity to work on critical UK energy infrastructure projects
  • Exposure to a wide range of HV substation designs across T&D networks
  • Flexible/hybrid working environment
  • Ongoing professional development and support toward chartership
  • Competitive salary and benefits package

The salary is £60,000 to £80,000 plus benefits and they work to a hybrid model of 3x days per week in the office

#J-18808-Ljbffr…

Posted: April 30th, 2026