Principal Substation Primary Design Engineer

Advance Training & Recruitment Services; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy consultancy in Glasgow is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to drive technical excellence in high-impact energy projects. You will manage a team of engineers, ensuring quality design for electricity transmission substations. The successful candidate has robust experience in technical leadership and excellent communication skills, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. The role offers a competitive salary and flexible benefits, supporting a healthy work-life balance.

Benefits

Competitive salaries

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid working arrangements

Flexible holiday allowances

Qualifications

• Experience managing and leading technical engineering teams.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards it.
• Proven experience in primary plant design for UK substations.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of electrical engineers, providing mentorship and support.
• Lead FEED and detailed design workstreams for substations.
• Oversee quality assurance in engineering submissions.

Skills

Technical leadership

People management

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

HND or degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Electrical codes and standards (IEC, IEEE)

Job description

Are you ready to play a vital role in shaping some of the UK’s most exciting energy projects?

My client offers a diverse, inclusive and collaborative working environment where everyone has a voice and teams work together to tackle complex client challenges. Flexible and remote working are central to their culture, and they actively support different working patterns, career breaks and return-to-work transitions-helping people balance professional ambitions with personal priorities.

My client is at the heart of the evolving energy industry, and their Power Grids team continues to grow and develop in response to increasing demand across the Transmission and Distribution sectors. The team delivers projects across the UK while also supporting wider energy and infrastructure initiatives that contribute to the Net Zero agenda.

Your role

As a Principal Electrical Engineer, you will play a key role in driving technical excellence and leading a high‑performing Electrical Engineering team. This is a senior position offering exposure to a wide range of projects, technologies and leadership opportunities.

You will be based in my client’s Glasgow office, working closely with clients and internal teams to deliver best‑in‑class engineering solutions. Building trusted, long‑term relationships will be central to your success in this role.

Key responsibilities include:

• Line managing a team of electrical engineers, providing mentorship, performance management and career development support
• Supporting the Electrical Group Lead with recruitment, resourcing and workforce planning
• Driving training initiatives and technical development programmes for junior engineers

Technical leadership & delivery

• Leading FEED and detailed design workstreams for electricity transmission substation projects
• Ensuring technical integrity and compliance with client specifications and industry standards
• Providing expert design review of HV plant aspects, including layouts, earthing design, interlocking schemes, busbar calculations and HV equipment specifications

Quality, coordination & assurance

• Overseeing the delivery of FEED, detailed design and bid submissions to the highest quality standards
• Managing interfaces with back‑office engineers, subcontractors and suppliers to ensure seamless project deliveryActing as tender manager for HV plant packages, reviewing technical offers to ensure compliant and competitive submissions

Client & stakeholder engagement

• Chairing design reviews and hazard review meetings
• Attending site visits, Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) as required
• Maintaining and developing client relationships and supporting business development activities

About you

You will be a confident technical leader with strong experience in UK transmission and distribution substation design, combined with excellent communication and people management skills.

Key requirements include:

• HND or degree qualification in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience)
• Experience managing and leading technical engineering teams
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards it
• Proven experience in primary plant design for UK substations, particularly for National Grid, Scottish & Southern Energy Networks or Scottish Power
• Experience preparing bids and cost estimates for FEED and detailed design work
• Strong knowledge of relevant electrical codes and standards (IEC, IEEE)
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal teams, clients and external stakeholders
• Flexibility to travel to client sites when required
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines
• Right to work in the UK and willingness to be based in Glasgow

Reward & benefits

My client offers competitive salaries alongside a flexible and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, finances and lifestyle. You’ll have access to extensive training and professional development opportunities, hybrid working arrangements and flexible holiday allowances-enabling you to build a rewarding career while maintaining a healthy work‑life balance.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.