Head of Substations
Our client, a key player in the energy sector, is currently seeking a Head of Substations - P&C Design to join their team. This permanent role offers the opportunity to lead engineering functions in a dynamic and challenging environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Lead and develop the substation design function across Plant and P&C disciplines.
- Define technical standards, best practices and long-term capability requirements.
- Promote safety-by-design, quality assurance and compliance with UK/EU legislation and industry standards (ENA, BS, IEC).
- Align design resources with business strategy and project demand.
- Responsibility for resource planning and recruitment.
Technical Authority
- Oversee Primary Plant design including specifications, layouts and detailed engineering for switchgear, transformers, earthing, auxiliaries and associated equipment.
- Set direction for P&C design including protection philosophies, schemes, interlocking, SCADA and communication systems.
- Approve design deliverables to ensure technical integrity, constructability, and compliance with utility standards.
Project Delivery & Governance
- Provide technical oversight across all project phases: concept, FEED, detailed design, construction and commissioning.
- Drive consistency, quality and risk management across design packages.
- Support tendering activities including bid preparation, estimating and scope definition.
People Leadership
- Build, lead and mentor a high-performing team of engineers and technical specialists.
- Define career pathways, training programmes and performance expectations.
- Enable effective collaboration with civil, structural, OHL, cable and project management teams.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Represent the organisation as a senior technical authority in client, regulator and partner meetings.
- Work with external design houses, suppliers and contractors to optimise technical solutions.
- Manage client feedback to support continuous improvement and strong commercial relationships.
Job Requirements:
- Senior-level experience in substation design leadership within the UK Transmission & Distribution sector.
- Strong expertise in electrical plant engineering and P&C systems up to 400kV.
- In-depth understanding of UK utility technical standards, grid codes and regulatory frameworks.
- BEng/MEng in Electrical Engineering.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng, IET) or working towards chartership.
- Experience working with UK Transmission Operators and DNOs.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Access to global scale projects and collaboration with industry experts
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Supportive and inclusive work environment
- Comprehensive employee benefits package
If you are an experienced Head of Substations specialising in P&C design, looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our client's team and make a significant impact in the energy sector.
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