Senior Primary Plant Design Engineer

Balfour; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure projects company is seeking a Senior Primary Design Engineer to deliver engineering design for electrical substation projects up to 400kV. The role involves ensuring compliance with standards, approving design deliverables, and contributing to a safe work environment. Candidates should have a minimum HNC in Electrical Engineering, relevant experience in substation design, and be proficient with AutoCAD and BIM practices. The role supports remote working and offers comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Family-friendly policies

Pension and share incentive plan

Volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Minimum HNC in Electrical Engineering or equivalent; graduation engineering degree desirable.
• Member of IET (MIET) and working towards Chartership (CEng).
• Experience as an HV Substation / Primary Plant Design Engineer.

Responsibilities

• Deliver design to Customer specifications ensuring compliance with standards.
• Check and approve HV plant design deliverables including diagrams and calculations.
• Ensure design delivery adheres to Health & Safety procedures.

Skills

HV plant design deliverables approval

Health & Safety compliance

BIM best practices

Microsoft Office proficiency

AutoCAD 2D / Revit proficiency

HV Substation design experience

Education

HNC in Electrical Engineering

Graduation engineering degree

IET membership (MIET)

Tools

BIM360

Job description

About the Role

Balfour Beatty is looking for a Senior Primary Design Engineer to join their Power T&D UK Wide team. The role focuses on primary engineering design delivery for electrical substation projects up to 400kV, working closely with Design Engineers and supporting planning, procurement, and project delivery.

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver design to the Customer specification, ensuring compliance with relevant National and International standards and legislation.
• Check and approve HV plant design deliverables such as single-line diagrams, layout/elevation drawings, MEWP access layouts, SC force calculations, earthing design/calculations, and more.
• Work with due regard to Health & Safety Procedures and the Company’s obligations under CDM regulations, advising the Engineering Manager on any perceived risks and mitigation measures.
• Ensure all required models and drawings have an adequate level of review and approval, including suppliers and subcontractors, and incorporate best practice BIM.

General Responsibilities

• Deliver engineering design to programme, quality and budget targets while leading safety and sustainability by design.
• Act as the authorised approver of designs on contracts in accordance with published design/check/approve authorisation levels.

Commercial / Contract Responsibilities

• Report variations in the Contract Scope of Work to the Design Manager / Engineering Manager, indicating implications and securing necessary approvals before proceeding.

Design Responsibilities

• Identify all relevant standards and Customer requirements, ensuring compliance with national and international standards, legislation and contract specifications.
• Design work to comply with Health, Safety & Environmental Procedures, producing Designer Risk Assessments as required by CDM regulations.
• Deliver AIS and GIS substation design up to 400kV.

Education

• Minimum HNC in Electrical Engineering or equivalent; a graduation engineering degree is desirable.
• Member of IET (MIET).
• Working towards Chartership (CEng).

Experience

• Liaising with customers and suppliers.
• Overall design and specification of electrical power systems and associated components.
• Performing calculations to demonstrate design integrity.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, AutoCAD 2D / Revit, and BIM360.
• Experience as an HV Substation / Primary Plant Design Engineer.
• Basic understanding of P&C aspects preferable.
• TP141 HV Substation qualification is an advantage.

Benefits

• Smart working with staggered start and finish times, up to 40% remote working where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata).
• Family‑friendly policies: 28 weeks full pay maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay paternity/partner leave.
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and more.

About Us

Balfour Beatty is committed to delivering high‑quality infrastructure projects across the UK and globally. Our teams support a reliable and safe supply of power to millions of homes and businesses. We champion diversity and inclusion, working with organisations like WISE, ENEI, the Business Disability Forum and Women into Construction, and are members of WISE, ENEI, Business Disability Forum and Women into Construction.

Inclusivity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates. Balfour Beatty is committed to fostering a diverse workforce and inclusive culture, ensuring everyone can reach their full potential.