Job Description

Senior Substation Primary (HV Plant) Design Engineer - Contract (Inside IR35)
UK - Epsom Birmingham Leeds Glasgow (Hybrid / Site Travel)
Up to 65/hr (Umbrella)
12-month minimum contract

We are recruiting for a Senior Substation Primary (HV Plant) Design Engineer to join a leading engineering team delivering major transmission and distribution substation projects across the UK.

This is a senior role working across the full project lifecycle, from FEED through to detailed design and construction support, with responsibility for delivering high-quality HV substation primary plant design solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver HV substation primary plant design for transmission and distribution projects
• Produce and review HV substation layouts, elevations, and general arrangements
• Develop earthing designs, reports, and calculations
• Prepare and review HV plant technical specifications and equipment data sheets
• Carry out HV busbar calculations and design assessments
• Develop mechanical interlocking philosophies and maintenance access arrangements
• Support FEED, detailed design, and tender stages
• Review and manage technical tender packages and supplier submissions
• Participate in design reviews, hazard studies, and technical workshops
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, suppliers, and subcontractors
• Provide technical support during construction and commissioning stages
• Support junior engineers through mentoring and technical guidance
• Attend client meetings and occasional site visits

Requirements

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
• Strong experience in HV substation primary plant design
• Experience working on transmission and distribution projects (up to 400kV desirable)
• Familiarity with utility standards (e.g. National Grid, SPEN, SSEN or equivalent)
• Experience delivering FEED and detailed design packages
• Strong understanding of HV electrical systems and design principles
• Experience working in multidisciplinary engineering environments
• Ability to review technical design packages and manage quality assurance

Skills & Attributes

• Strong technical leadership capability
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience working in consultancy or EPC environments
• Ability to support tendering and technical proposal work
• Collaborative and proactive approach to engineering delivery
• Comfortable working across office, remote, and site environments
• Willingness to travel when required

What's on Offer

• Major UK transmission and substation infrastructure projects
• Full lifecycle engineering exposure (FEED to commissioning support)
• Senior technical leadership role with real project influence
• Flexible hybrid working across UK office locations
• Opportunity to work within a high-performing multidisciplinary team

If you are an experienced HV Substation Primary Plant Engineer looking for a senior contract opportunity with strong technical scope and responsibility, please apply or get in touch for more information.