Principal Engineer - Protection and Control

Job Description

Principal Engineer (P&C), is responsible for leading, reviewing, assessing, and approving Protection and Control design submissions for National Grid and/or Distribution Network Operator (DNO) projects. This role ensures that designs for substations, transformers, switchgear, and other HV infrastructure comply with National Grid / DNO engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

The successful candidate will work closely with the DNO's, Contractors, internal Engineering and Design teams, and Project Managers to ensure the timely delivery of safe, reliable, and compliant designs.

Experience of the UK Electricity Transmission and/or Distribution System is preferable, but not essential for this role.

Responsibilities

Design Review & Approval:

• Review and assess P&C design submissions, ensuring compliance with National Grid / DNO policies, procedures and engineering standards.
• Provide detailed feedback and recommendations to address design gaps, non-compliance, or potential risks.
• Approve final designs once all technical, safety, and regulatory requirements are met.
• Chair design review meetings with a variety of stakeholders.
• Coordination and technical interface with other engineering disciplines.

Stakeholder Coordination:

• Serve as the primary point of contact between National Grid / DNO and Contractors regarding P&C design matters.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including asset management, project delivery teams, and other engineering disciplines, to ensure design alignment with project objectives.
• Participate in design coordination meetings, workshops, and technical reviews with contractors and suppliers.

Risk Identification & Mitigation:

• Identify potential risks related to safety, reliability, and performance in contractor designs and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure that all designs incorporate appropriate risk mitigation measures, including hazard identification (HAZID) and risk assessments.
• Experience of implementing safety by design and CDM awareness.

Documentation & Reporting:

• Maintain comprehensive records of design submissions, review comments, and approval decisions.
• Prepare technical reports and assurance documentation for internal stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
• Monitor performance related to design quality and compliance, providing feedback to management as needed.
• Experience of working to a structure project design process.

Qualifications

Essential:

• HNC or Degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in P&C design, design assurance, or technical approval within the Electricity Transmission and/or DNO sector.
• Strong knowledge of HV infrastructure, including substations, transformers, switchgear, and HV Cable.

Desirable:

• Chartered Engineer status or working towards CEng accreditation.
• Experience of producing, reviewing and approving designs for National Grid and/or Distribution Network Operator (DNO) projects.
• Currently or previously held National Grid BP141 Design Assurance Engineer authorisation.
• Currently or previously nominated as BP137 Contractor Design Approval Engineer on National Grid projects.

Additional Information

Location:

Home based / Can be based anywhere in the UK, with the option of working from Omnia offices (Stafford, Stockton Heath and Northallerton), as per project requirements. Must be willing to travel anywhere throughout the UK.

Working Hours:

Ideally full time but may consider part time staff positions.

Package:

• Competitive Salary, plus discretionary bonus.
• Working hours of 40 hours per week. All overtime payable or time off in lieu (your choice) should you work more than this.
• 22 days holiday, plus bank holidays with an option to increase.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Workplace Pension.
• Death in Service.
• Company car scheme.