Principal Substation Secondary (P&C) Design Engineer

Overview

Grow your career while reshaping the world. You might know us for the great work we do across our wide variety of projects. We're proud to say it's thanks to our people’s diversity of thought, expertise and knowledge. And when you join us, you'll be a part of this genuinely collaborative environment, where everyone's voice is valued and treated equally.

Your role

AtkinsRéalis offers a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative environment where you can advance your career at the forefront of engineering. As a Principal Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our technical excellence and leading a high‑performing team within our Electrical Engineering group. This position provides exposure to a diverse range of projects and technologies, with outstanding opportunities for both technical and leadership development.

You will be based in one of our offices in Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham or Epsom, working closely with clients and internal teams to deliver best‑in‑class solutions. Building strong, trusted relationships is central to this role, and you'll thrive in a mix of office‑based and client‑facing environments.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Line Management

• Line manage a team of engineers, providing mentorship, performance management, and career development support.
• Support the Electrical Group Lead with recruitment, resourcing, and workforce planning.
• Drive training initiatives and technical development programs for junior engineers.

Technical Leadership

• Lead FEED and detailed design workstreams for electricity transmission substation projects, ensuring technical integrity and compliance with client specifications.

Quality Assurance

• Oversee and assure the delivery of FEED, detailed design, and bid submissions to the highest standards.

Design Review

• Provide expert review of all P&C plant aspects.

Project Coordination

• Manage interfaces with back‑office engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers to ensure seamless delivery.

Tender Management

• Act as tender manager for HV plant packages, reviewing technical offers and ensuring competitive, compliant submissions.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Chair design and hazard review meetings, attend site visits, FAT and SAT as required.

Client Focus & Business Development

• Maintain and grow client relationships, identifying opportunities for future work and contributing to business development activities.

Bid Ownership

• Lead and support the preparation of bids and proposals, including technical input, resource planning, and cost estimation to help secure new work for the P&C team.

Communication

• Collaborate with commercial and project management teams to develop competitive and compelling offers aligned with client needs and business objectives.
• Coordinate with other disciplines (Primary, Civil & Structural, PM), subcontractors and suppliers as required.
• Attend site visits, FAT and SAT as required under the supervision of senior and principal engineers.
• Strong communication skills along with teamworking attributes.

About You

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering or equivalent qualifications and experience.
• Working towards Chartered Engineer through the IET or in a path to get it.
• Proven experience in P&C design of substations in UK or internationally.
• Experience in preparing bids and cost estimates for FEED and detailed design work.
• Good knowledge of electrical codes and standards (IEC, IEEE).
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Flexibility to travel to client sites when required.
• Capability to work under tight deadlines while achieving objectives with the ability to deal with competing priorities and manage time appropriately.
• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Rewards & Benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Additional information

Security clearance This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

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