Principal Primary HV Plant Design Engineer – UK Wide

BALFOUR BEATTY-4
About the role

Balfour Beatty are currently recruiting a Principal Primary HV Plant Design Engineer to join their Power T&D division.

Role Purpose:

The main function of the role is to lead the HV Primary Engineering design delivery for electrical substation projects on the transmission network up to voltages of 400kV with the assistance of the Design Engineers and Designers.

Preferably the candidate will have previous experience of undertaking TP137 Contractors Design Approval Engineers (CDAE) for National Grid projects or be in a position where they could be put forward for authorisation.

In addition, the Principal Plant Engineer would assist the Design Delivery Managers in the day to day running of the engineers and technicians teams.

The role also includes leading the team in planning and procurement responsibilities as detailed below for delivery of substation projects.

Our team is flexible and the role can be based in various locations across the UK.

Key accountabilities:

Lead the Design team to deliver design to the Customer specification requirements, ensuring compliance with relevant National / International Standards and legislation.

• Check and approve HV plant design deliverables e.g. single line diagram, layout/Elevation drawings, MEWP access layouts, SC force calculations, earthing design / calculations etc.
• Lead Design work with due regard to Health & Safety Procedures and the Company’s obligations in compliance with current CDM regulations. Any perceived risks and mitigation measures should be advised to Engineering Manager for effective action.
• Ensure all required models and drawings have an adequate level of review and approval including the supplier and subcontractor supply chains. Incorporating the best practice of BIM as established in the Engineering team.
• Lead the technical direction of the engineering team, taking best practice and industry developments into engineering methodology.

What you’ll be doing

General Responsibilities:

• Ensure duties are carried out in accordance with Standard Company Quality, Health & Safety and Environmental Procedures and Business Process Manuals.
• Delivery of engineering design to programme, quality and budgets, and lead safety and sustainability by Design into the engineering delivery.
• Functionally the authorised approver of designs (and associated settings) on contracts in accordance with the published design/check/approve authorisation levels.
• Identify (and contribute to) the development and training needs of the design team as appropriate to skill level / experience
• Identify and effectively manage inter-disciplinary design gaps in collaboration with the appropriate project engineering mangers.
• Assistance to the Design Delivery Manager in the day to day running of the design department as deemed appropriate to skill level / experience including carrying out PDRs for team members and provide continuous team support.

Design Responsibilities:

• Identify all relevant standards and Customer requirements, ensuring compliance with relevant National / International Standards and legislation, and contract specification
• Design work to be undertaken with due regard to Health, Safety & Environmental Procedures and production of Designer Risk Assessments, as necessary, to fulfil the Company’s obligations in compliance with current CDM regulations.
• AIS and GIS substation design up to 400kV.
• Check and approve substation design deliverables e.g. single line diagram, layout/Elevation drawings, MEWP access layouts, SC force calculations, earthing design / calculations etc.
• Good understanding of with electrical / mechanical interlocking philosophy
• To carry out Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE), as defined by National Grid’s procedures, or equivalent role as defined by other clients.
• Ability to perform Principal Designer representative (PD Rep) role as per CDM 2015 regulation.
• Check and review equipment tech specs and engagement with supplier for their offer validation.
• Examine contract documentation and establish the Company’s scope of work including termination boundaries. Where this differs with the tendered contract requirement then these differences should be highlighted to the Project / Engineering Manager with options and solutions for resolutions.
• Attend and Lead the Design Review / Contract Close-out Meetings, ensuring that appropriate items are actioned in a timely manner
• Liaise with Engineers, Designers and Technicians on drawings requirements

Planning Responsibilities

• Input into the allocation of work packages, coordinate workload and agree priorities within the Primary Plant Team.
• Prepare, contribute to, check and review DEMP (Design and Engineering Management Plans)
• Upon contract award, liaise and co-ordinate contract requirements with Design Engineers, Project and engineering managers and other Balfour Beatty PT&D Departments at earliest opportunity.

Who we’re looking for

Experience:

• Microsoft Office packages
• Working in a Design Office environment over 10 years of experience
• Liaising with customers and suppliers
• Calculations to demonstrate integrity of designs
• Overall design and specification of electrical power systems and associated power system components
• Experience as a senior HV Substation Primary Plant Design Engineer
• Basic understanding of P&C aspects preferable.
• TP137 / SR188 Contractor Design Assurance Engineer experience is an advantage.
• Proven experience in a responsible position and knowledge in HV substation equipment e.g. HV plant, transformers etc.
• BIM 360 experience and knowledge

Desirable Experience:

• National Grid exposure
• Autocad
• TP 137 / SR 188 Principal Designer Representative (Design & Build) experience.
• Chartered Engineer (IET)

Personal Skills:

• Articulate and persuasive both verbal and written.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Have an innovative approach to technical solutions and strongly results focused.
• Adaptable and responsive to change.
• Self motivated, capable of meeting tight deadlines.
• Good forward thinker and planner.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our skilled and dedicated teams deliver a range of proactive and reactive services which support a reliable and safe supply of power flowing to millions of homes and businesses around the world. Our contracts range from 50,000 schemes to 100 million plus major projects.

Our people are our biggest asset and we focus on recruiting, training and developing the people who can apply innovation to deliver the infrastructure of the future. We nurture these talents, offer a great benefits package and continually invest in developing the skills of our people at every level.

About us

Balfour Beattys Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions.

With experience and expertise across the full spectrum of the electricity grid our teams have capability across overhead lines, cable tunnels, distribution networks and substations.

From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on-going maintenance, our in-house experts, flexible resources and industry-leading innovations support clients in the development of some of the worlds most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

At Balfour Beatty we are committed to creating a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential, not only because this is the right thing to do, but because it makes us a better business. To ensure we deliver on this commitment, we have a UK Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan which sets out the wide range of targeted, proactive, measurable steps we are taking to make this a reality. You can read our UK Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan in full at

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and Women into Construction. In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence ‘Employer Recognition Scheme’ and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Further information on Disability Confident can be found at: