Engineer - Connections Business Development
Reference:
Location: Sunderland or Castleford
Directorate: Energy Systems
Do you want to help shape the electricity network of the future?
Northern Powergrid powers everyday life for 8 million people across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. We are transforming our electricity distribution network to become smarter, more flexible and more resilient - enabling decarbonisation, economic growth and the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure.
As an Engineer - Connections Business Development, you will develop technically robust and commercially sound EHV connection solutions for major customers and strategic national projects. You will play a central role in strengthening network capability and supporting the future growth of the Northern Powergrid licence areas.
We are seeking driven individuals with a passion for engineering, innovation and enabling a low‑carbon, digital future.
Along with a competitive salary of between £53,711 up to £73,451, we also offer great benefits such as:
What We Offer
Double‑matched pension scheme
25 days annual leave (rising with service) + bank holidays
Competency based structured pay progression within the specified salary range
Technical incentive scheme
One paid volunteering day each year to support a local community, environmental or social initiative during work time
Flexi-time
O2 Employee discount
Free childcare vouchers
Eye Care and Safety vouchers
Loyal Service Awards
Opportunity to work on nationally significant digital‑infrastructure and energy‑system projects.
Professional development support.
A collaborative, forward‑thinking engineering and commercial environment
Support from experienced mentors and technical specialists.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the full EHV customer journey from initial enquiry to final connection, delivering a high quality, customer focused experience.
Act as the primary technical and commercial interface for AI, data centres, industrial, renewable and public sector major connection schemes.
Develop safe, viable and cost effective EHV engineering solutions by interpreting detailed technical, capacity, security and operability requirements.
Integrate technical, commercial and regulatory considerations to ensure balanced engineering decisions that meet customer needs and system constraints.
Produce accurate, compliant connection offers by applying DUoS, cost apportionment, contestable scope rules and relevant Ofgem aligned charging methodologies.
Identify, assess and communicate commercial and technical risks arising from engineering design choices, reinforcement drivers or policy changes.
Support delivery of nationally significant projects (AI, data centres, industrial and public sector), ensuring alignment with UK capacity, resilience and digital infrastructure priorities.
Build strong working relationships with customers, ICPs, IDNOs, consultants, contractors, regulators, planners and internal NPg teams.
Represent NPg in technical and commercial forums, including Government departments, local authorities and industry partners, providing clear and professional communication.
Prepare high quality engineering reports, commercial analyses and senior level presentations to support internal decision making and customer engagement.
Ensure strict compliance with standards and regulations, including NPg Engineering Standards, ENA TS, ESQCR, CDM Regulations and internal governance controls.
Drive continuous improvement and support project delivery routines, including financial governance, closure activities and consistent delivery of safe, resilient and future proof connection solutions.
Key Competencies
First class written and spoken communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical and commercial information.
Proven ability to produce high quality documentation suitable for commercial, regulatory and engineering environments.
Ability to establish, build and maintain exceptional customer relationships, ensuring trust and long term engagement.
Demonstrate strong oversight to ensure timely issue resolution and effective management of escalated complaints, supported by sound, evidence baseddecision making that balances technical, commercial, and operational considerations.
Effective team working skills, collaborating confidently across multidisciplinary engineering, commercial and project delivery teams.
Experience managing engineering deliverables and tracking key project milestones.
Previous experience of the connections process and awareness of queue management rules (CUSC, licence conditions, CCCM etc).
Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
HNC in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
Full UK driving licence
Sound commercial judgement
Excellent customer relationship building skills
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
A recognised engineering qualification (HNC/HND, BEng/BSc, MEng/MSc) in Electrical, Electronic or a related Mechanical discipline, with experience across transmission or distribution networks, EHV design, or regulated‑energy environments.
Industry exposure working with ICPs, IDNOs or major industrial/data‑centre customers, supported by strong commercial judgement and an understanding of regulation, legal considerations and contract requirements.
Technical capability in electrical‑design engineering, supported by familiarity with power‑system modelling tools (such as IPSA, DigSILENT or PSS/E) and solid data‑analytics/visualisation skills.
Confident customer‑relationship management, along with effective project or programme‑management experience.
Strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Applicants are considered on the basis of their suitability for the post irrespective of sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender re-assignment, race, age or disability, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.