Job Description
What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?
At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.
Job Description
What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?
At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.
A Little More About Your Role...
As Head of Substation (Plant & Protection & Control Design), you will lead the engineering function responsible for Primary Plant and Protection & Control design across substations from 33kV to 400kV. You will act as the technical authority for substation design, ensuring safe, compliant, and high‑quality engineering solutions aligned with client requirements, regulatory standards and industry best practice.
The role combines technical leadership, strategic direction, team development, and engagement with key stakeholders across UK Transmission and Distribution operators.
What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate...
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.
Your background
* 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.
Qualifications
* BEng/MEng in Electrical Engineering.
* Chartered Engineer (CEng, IET) or working towards chartership.
* Experience working with UK Transmission Operators and DNOs.
Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.
Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.
With us, you can. Apply today.
About Us
We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
Work-life balance
At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.
Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.
Inclusivity & Belonging
We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.
Health & Wellbeing
We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.
Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.
Flex your time
To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.
We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.
Your development
We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.
#WeAreWSP
Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.
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