Lead Design Engineer

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.

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