Closing Date: 19 December 2025

Role Description

Principal Engineer (HV Plant), is responsible for reviewing, assessing, and approving HV Plant design submissions for National Grid and/or Distribution Network Operator (DNO) projects. This role ensures that designs for substations, transformers, switchgear, and other HV infrastructure comply with National Grid / DNO engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

The successful candidate will work closely with National Grid / DNO, Contractors, internal Engineering and Design teams, and Project Managers to ensure the timely delivery of safe, reliable, and compliant designs.

Experience of the UK Electricity Transmission and/or Distribution System is preferable, but not essential for this role.

Responsibilities

Design Review & Approval:

  • Review and assess HV plant design submissions, ensuring compliance with National Grid / DNO policies, procedures and engineering standards.
  • Provide detailed feedback and recommendations to address design gaps, non-compliance, or potential risks.
  • Approve final designs once all technical, safety, and regulatory requirements are met.
  • Chair design review meetings with a variety of stakeholders.
  • Coordination and technical interface with other engineering disciplines.

Stakeholder Coordination:

  • Serve as the primary point of contact between National Grid / DNO and Contractors regarding HV Plant design matters.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including asset management, project delivery teams, and other engineering disciplines, to ensure design alignment with project objectives.
  • Participate in design coordination meetings, workshops, and technical reviews with contractors and suppliers.

Risk Identification & Mitigation:

  • Identify potential risks related to safety, reliability, and performance in contractor designs and recommend corrective actions.
  • Ensure that all designs incorporate appropriate risk mitigation measures, including hazard identification (HAZID) and risk assessments.
  • Experience of implementing safety by design and CDM awareness.

Documentation & Reporting:

  • Maintain comprehensive records of design submissions, review comments, and approval decisions.
  • Prepare technical reports and assurance documentation for internal stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
  • Monitor performance related to design quality and compliance, providing feedback to management as needed.
  • Experience of working to a structure project design process.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

  • HNC or Degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or a related discipline.
  • Proven experience in HV Plant design, design assurance, or technical approval within the Electricity Transmission and/or DNO sector.
  • Strong knowledge of HV infrastructure, including substations, transformers, switchgear, and protection systems.

Desirable:

  • Chartered Engineer status or working towards CEng accreditation
  • Experience of producing, reviewing and approving designs for National Grid and/or Distribution Network Operator (DNO) projects.
  • Currently or previously held National Grid BP141 Design Assurance Engineer authorisation.
  • Currently or previously nominated as BP137 Contractor Design Approval Engineer on National Grid projects.

Location:

Home based, with the option of working from Omnia offices (Stafford, Stockton Heath and Northallerton), as per project requirements. Must be willing to travel anywhere throughout the UK.

Working Hours:

Ideally full time but may consider part time staff positions.

Package:

  • Competitive Salary, plus discretionary bonus
  • 40 hours per week. All overtime payable or time off in lieu (your choice) should you work more than this
  • 22 days' holiday, plus bank holidays with an option to increase
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Workplace Pension
  • Death in Service
  • Company car scheme

To Apply:

Please email a CV and covering letter to .