Lead Primary Engineer – Take ownership of primary engineering activities for EHV/HV air and gas-insulated substation projects across the UK. You will lead technical delivery from initial design through to as-built documentation, ensuring alignment with project specifications, industry standards, and internal QA/QC, HSSE, and integrity protocols.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate all primary engineering tasks, managing design development, reviews, and compliance across project lifecycle stages.
- Supervise engineering teams, including graduate engineers and remote personnel, and collaborate with secondary, civil, and protection & control engineers.
- Review and approve HV plant design packages in accordance with NG/ET/SR188 and other applicable standards.
- Develop and contribute to Design Intent Documents (DID) and Functional Design Specifications (FDS), incorporating supplier inputs and project requirements.
- Lead technical procurement activities: draft project-specific specifications, evaluate supplier quotations, and lead technical discussions on scope and compliance.
- Participate in Design Review Meetings (DRMs) and Hazard Review Meetings (HRMs), providing expert input and resolving technical issues.
- Manage design changes in line with approved change control processes and ensure traceability throughout project execution.
- Review supplier and subcontractor deliverables, factory acceptance test plans, and design submissions for technical accuracy and compliance.
- Support construction teams with technical clarification, site queries, and as-built documentation.
- Produce technical calculations, single line diagrams, layouts, earthing studies, and bills of quantities for tenders and live projects.
- Coordinate interface requirements between civil, structural, protection, auxiliary power, and equipment suppliers.
- Oversee primary engineering budget, schedule forecasting, risk assessment, and change management activities.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent technical discipline.
- Proven experience in substation primary design within utility-scale transmission networks.
- Strong familiarity with SSEN and SPEN technical policies, standards, and project delivery frameworks.
- Expertise in substation components including transformers, HV/MV switchgear, cable systems, grounding, lightning protection, and structural interface design.
- Proficiency in MS Office; working knowledge of MicroStation and AutoCAD required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Fluent in English, with demonstrated ability to produce clear, accurate technical documentation.
- Willingness to travel up to 25% domestically or internationally, and to attend site locations as needed.
- Proactive, results-driven mindset with strong collaboration and leadership abilities in diverse, multicultural environments.
Work Environment
This role operates under a hybrid model based in Glasgow, UK, combining remote work with on-site presence when required. You will work alongside motivated professionals in a dynamic, inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.
Company Culture
We foster an entrepreneurial culture that embraces innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Our team thrives on tackling complex engineering challenges and delivering high-quality solutions in the substations EPC sector. We are committed to building a workplace where differences in gender, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, sexual identity, and ability are respected and valued.
