Base Location: Perth, Inverness or Aberdeen
Salary: £58,100 - £87,100 + performance‑related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.
Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible first options available
The Role
At SSEN Transmission, we are building a network for Net Zero – one that's smarter, more flexible, and equipped to support the future of energy. Our mission is to deliver clean, reliable, and long‑lasting investment in the network that benefits future generations. The Network Engineering team sits within the Asset Management and Operations Directorate and is responsible for ensuring that engineering activities across our Transmission projects are safe, technically sound and fully supported. As part of our journey, we’re looking for a Principal Engineer – Substations to join this specialist team. This key role will shape technical policy, influence industry standards, and support the delivery of innovative, future‑ready projects across our high‑voltage transmission network.
Responsibilities
* Own and maintain technical specifications and guidance notes for substation designs, including substation earthing systems.
* Continuously improve existing specifications based on lessons learned and emerging technologies.
* Collaborate with other engineering disciplines – including Civil, LV/MV systems, Cables, Overhead Lines – and work closely with our asset management and operations teams.
* Support the Design Authority and act as part of the Technical Authority, reviewing substation designs to ensure compliance with technical specifications and verifying suitability for the transmission network.
* Offer technical consultancy across the business, mentor peers, and share specialist knowledge to support team development.
* Represent SSEN Transmission at industry events and working groups (e.g. ENA, IEC, CIGRE), and bring back insights and best practices to strengthen our engineering approach.
Qualifications
* A degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline, and Chartered Engineer status (or actively working towards it).
* Strong experience in the design, specification, and application of transmission voltage substations.
* The ability to critically assess technical challenges and evaluate a range of solutions, with a solid understanding of the design, planning, operation, and development requirements of the transmission network.
* Familiarity with SSE Transmission, National Grid, British and European Standards, and experience writing technical specifications, guidance notes, or work instructions.
* Exposure to the design, manufacturing, testing, installation, or maintenance of transmission voltage plant and equipment is a plus.
About SSE
SSE has a bold ambition – to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We’re transforming the grid to provide greener electricity for millions of people and investing over £20 billion in homegrown energy, with £20 billion more in the pipeline.
SSEN Transmission owns and operates the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland, transporting energy from where it is generated to where it is needed to ensure a safe and reliable supply for the communities we serve. We are upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown energy for the future and building a network for net zero to create secure power for generations to come.
Benefits
* Healthy living benefits: discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships, wellbeing benefits such as a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service, interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike through our Cycle to Work scheme.
* Generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.
Equal Opportunity
SSSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.
How to Apply
Start your online application using the Apply Now box on this page. We only accept applications made online. We’ll be in touch after the closing date to let you know if we’ll be taking your application further. If you’re offered a role with SSE, you’ll need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.
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