Principal / Lead Primary Engineer - HV Substations

Help Shape the Future of the UK's Energy Infrastructure

Principal/Lead Primary Design Engineer – HV Substations

BakerHicks has established itself as a trusted engineering partner within the UK's Transmission & Distribution sector, delivering major infrastructure projects for some of the country's leading utility clients. With continued growth and a strong pipeline of secured work, we are seeking an experienced principal/lead primary design engineer to join our expanding Power team.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in delivering critical energy infrastructure projects, leading technical excellence across complex HV substation designs up to 400 kV.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the HV Substation Team Leader, you will lead a team of Primary Design Engineers and CAD Technicians, ensuring the consistent delivery of high‑quality engineering solutions and technical documentation.

You will provide technical leadership across HV substation projects, support the development of junior engineers, and act as a key point of contact for both internal and external stakeholders. For National Grid projects, you will be expected to undertake the HV Plant CDAE role where appropriate.

You will also support business development activities by contributing technical input to tender submissions and helping secure future project opportunities.

Why This Role

• Work on some of the UK's most significant Transmission & Distribution projects.
• Be part of a business that is helping deliver the infrastructure required for the UK's energy transition.
• Lead and mentor a growing team of engineers and technicians.
• Work closely with major utility clients including National Grid, SSEN, Scottish Power, UKPN, ENWL and others.
• Enjoy genuine opportunities for career progression, technical leadership, and professional development.
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary engineering environment where innovation and new ideas are actively encouraged.
• See projects progress through the full lifecycle, from concept and design through to construction and energisation.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead the delivery of primary engineering design for HV substation projects up to 400 kV.
• Manage and mentor a team of engineers and CAD technicians.
• Ensure the quality, accuracy, and consistency of project deliverables.
• Support and develop junior engineers through coaching and technical guidance.
• Provide technical oversight and approval of engineering work.
• Take ownership of HV Plant CDAE responsibilities on National Grid projects where applicable.

Design & Engineering

• Prepare, review, and approve primary layouts and elevations.
• Single Line Diagrams (SLDs).
• Transformer sizing and specifications.
• GIS and AIS switchgear designs.
• Shunt reactors, NERs and reactive/capacitive compensation schemes.
• Switchroom layouts.
• CT sizing calculations.
• Busbar design and short‑circuit force calculations.
• Busbar and connector specifications.
• LVAC systems for substations.
• Earthing studies and earth return current calculations.
• Insulation coordination studies.
• Mechanical interlocking schemes.
• Equipment technical specifications.
• Type registration documentation.
• Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) activities.

Project Delivery

• Manage programme, budget and quality requirements for engineering deliverables.
• Prepare, review and approve feasibility studies, outline designs, detailed designs and technical reports.
• Review and approve construction drawings and technical documentation.
• Coordinate internal teams and external suppliers.
• Support bid and tender submissions.
• Maintain updates to the Business Development Tracker.
• Participate in client meetings, design reviews and technical workshops.

About You

You will be an experienced HV Substation Engineer with a strong technical background and a passion for delivering high‑quality engineering solutions.

You Will Have

• Significant experience delivering primary design and engineering for HV substation projects up to 400 kV.
• Strong knowledge of UK Transmission and Distribution standards and specifications.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading engineering teams and reviewing technical deliverables.
• The ability to work independently while supporting and developing others.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to problem‑solving.

Essential Requirements

• BEng or BSc in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in HV substation primary design and engineering.
• Experience producing designs, calculations, reports and drawings associated with substation projects up to 400 kV.
• Strong understanding of IEC standards and industry best practice.
• Experience working to National Grid and DNO specifications.
• Experience managing engineering teams and coordinating project delivery.
• Experience working alongside CAD technicians using AutoCAD, Revit or similar software.

Desirable Requirements

• MEng or MSc in Electrical Engineering.
• National Grid HV Plant CDAE accreditation.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or actively working towards chartership.
• Experience supporting bids, tenders and work‑winning activities.

Join Us

This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong HV Substation Engineer looking to take the next step in their career, working on industry‑leading projects while helping shape the future of the UK's energy infrastructure.

Security Clearance

Many of the positions within our company are subject to security clearance or security assurance levels. The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance or assurance level for this role, in line with client and sector requirements. In some cases, additional nationality or residency criteria may also apply due to specific client or national security obligations. Further information on national security vetting levels can be found on the UK Government website: (National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK).

Benefits

• Company car or cash allowance
• Up to 6 % matched contributory pension plan
• Life assurance scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus ability to buy additional leave
• Discount scheme (including gym membership, mobile phones etc)
• Flexible/hybrid working
• Family friendly policies
• Employee assistance
• Professional development

Equal Opportunity & Diversity Statement

BakerHicks is an equal opportunity employer. We care about creating an inclusive atmosphere and are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout. BakerHicks is an inclusive organisation welcoming talent from all backgrounds. Applicants are assessed on the basis of personal merit and qualifications.

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