Position
Operational Engineer
Reporting to
Senior Project Manager
Location
Manchester
Department
UKPN Services - NRTH
Reference Number
82101
Employment Period
Permanent
Contract Type
Collective Agreement
Job Family Level/Grade
Band UD
Salary
£80,574 - £93,557 (Depending on skills and experience)
Close Date
17/03/2026
Job Purpose
1. The Operational Engineer’s role is to deliver the engineering activities within their allocated Operational team. To undertake the delivery of Construction and Maintenance requirements relating to the UK Power Networks Services owned assets, client owned assets and associated infrastructure.
2. To attend Client and Contractor meetings as required.
3. The Operational Engineer will work with and support the Client Delivery Managers and other members of the Senior Management team in the delivery of Business objectives.
4. Work with Technicians, Fitters, Apprentices and Contractors to undertake and complete the construction, fault response or maintenance activities in a safe and efficient manner whilst minimising disruption to the client electricity supplies.
5. The Operational Engineer will ensure delivery of Client focused Capital works construction projects, N.A.M.P and maintenance plans as directed by the Regional Manager
6. Oversee the management of substation and cabling construction and maintenance works as required on Powerlink Renewable Assets and other portfolio assets. The position holder will work with team members to ensure high standards of safety management are maintained throughout all activities during the delivery of the engineering tasks in accordance with the UK Power Networks Services Stay Safe initiative.
Principal Accountabilities
7. Delivery of the Construction and Maintenance programmes for the UK Power Networks Services owned assets and client owned assets operating at voltages through the range 400V to 33kV
8. Work with the Northern regional team to ensure that all programmes of work are delivered in line with contractual commitments covering safety time, cost and quality
9. Lead works planning and execution.
10. Represent UKPN Services at client meetings.
11. Work with Technicians, Fitters and Apprentices to ensure the delivery of all engineering activities.
12. Assist in the management of budgets relating to the construction, faults and maintenance delivery and meet ongoing company objectives
13. As a team member work to ensure that UK Power Networks Services Company ambitions are achieved especially in the areas of Staff and Client satisfaction.
14. Adherence to Client and UK Power Networks Services Operations and Procedures
15. Operation of HV and LV Distribution Protection Systems.
16. Testing and Commissioning of HV and LV Distribution System.
17. Maintenance and testing of Control and Protection Systems
18. Ensuring compliance with CDM and UK Power Networks Services Health and Safety policies
19. Comply with site specific Health, Safety & Environmental procedures
20. Comply with UK Power Networks Services quality policies
21. Operate and update Asset database in respect of project/ maintenance activities
22. Responsible for both reactive and planned maintenance activities
23. Carry out fault investigation and repairs as required.
24. Ensuring the compliance with the distribution safety rules during all activities.
25. Active supervision of all contractors/staff working on site
26. Undertake additional activities commensurate with the job level and competency
Main Duties
27. Co-ordinate day to day construction and maintenance activities with Client / Principal Contractor’s ensuring programmes are met.
28. Support Procurement and obtain quotations from suppliers and ensure Purchase Orders requested in coordination with Finance & Governance teams.
29. Change Management – ensure early warning notices etc are brought to the attention of the Client Delivery Manager / Commercial Manager & Client.
30. Provide technical support as part of the Manchester team
31. Deliver team briefings, give feed-back where necessary
32. Identify potential project risks/opportunities (raise awareness within team / company)
33. Proactively seeking continuous improvement
34. Required to participate in a standby rota and work additional hours as required to maintain the supplies to the Client infrastructure
35. Working unsocial hours when required to respond to faults on system and programmed activities.
36. Assist in the development of the ongoing NAMP
37. Undertake the delivery of maintenance and construction activities as required to meet client requirements within their area of authorisation
38. Represent UKPN Services when required at meetings with clients and contractors
39. When undertaking engineering activities manage the team of employees and contractors for the successful delivery.
40. When undertaking engineering activities manage the compliance with all H&S procedures such as Putting People to Work and Distribution Safety Rules.
41. Take Field Control of switching operations whilst operating Client owned assets within the Client premises.(When applicable.)
42. Knowledge of protection testing software and have the ability to program protection relays and test that they function correctly within the overall protection scheme.
43. Witness contractors testing and coordinate the use of test sheets, test routines and policies applied.
44. Ensure that all as-built drawings and settings applied to relays are confirmed back into the company database before energisation.
45. Investigate, advise, diagnose and correct mal-operations that occur during the life of equipment.
46. Plan, manage and coordinate commissioning / plant acceptance testing to set standards whilst ensuring safe energisation and confidence of the switchgear operation.
47. When necessary, work with other team members to carry out activities such as switchgear, battery and transformer maintenance, substation inspection cleaning and painting.
Nature and Scope
Working with the Client Delivery Manager and other team members and managers, the post holder needs to be a strong team player able to work within a pressurised environment to focus on the successful delivery of construction, faults and maintenance works to time and quality, and also to the client’s satisfaction. The post holder requires excellent communication skills in order to interact with both client and contractors. The role will involve travel to several different client sites from time to time, to undertake works within differing environments and to differing client standards, and the post holder will be expected to have the flexibility and skillset to adjust accordingly and work collaboratively with each and every client. The role will be based from the Manchester office.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Essential
48. Minimum 11kV Senior Authorised Person, with 33kV authorisation (for UD grade) but can be developed, as defined by the Distribution Safety Rules.
49. Experience in distribution systems through the range 400V to 33kV
50. Security clearance for Client infrastructure Access – provide a five-year work history with references and achieve a satisfactory criminal records check.
51. Medical & Drugs and Alcohol screening
52. Educated to HNC level qualification in Electrical Engineering (for UD grade), or working towards, or equivalent experience.
53. Working knowledge of distribution HV Systems
54. Knowledge of Building Services Systems
55. Working knowledge of specialist HV equipment
56. Ability to read drawings and understand content
57. Ability to work in different environments
58. Excellent analytical, organisation & planning skills
59. Ability to identify problems, understand key issues and investigate alternatives
60. Hold clean, full driving licence
61. Ability to use Microsoft Office suite, Outlook, MS Project and other bespoke software packages.
62. Demonstrate honesty and integrity.
63. Strong interpersonal skills.
Desirable
64. A broad understanding of UK Power Networks Services businesses.
65. An ability to travel around the Services’ Client portfolio.
66. A broad understanding of the Services’ clients’ requirements.
67. To possess strong and persuasive negotiating and influencing skills.
68. Ability to manage time and to meet deadlines.
69. To be skilful in decision making.
70. Relevant Safety Qualification such as IOSH or NEBOSH
71. Knowledge of Construction Design and Management Regulations