Principal Engineer - Protection & Control

Principal Engineer (P&C)

Responsible for leading, reviewing, assessing, and approving Protection and Control design submissions for National Grid and/or Distribution Network Operator (DNO) projects. Ensures designs for substations, transformers, switchgear, and other HV infrastructure meet National Grid/DNO engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

Responsibilities

• Design Review & Approval:
• Review and assess P&C design submissions for 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 stakeholders.
• Coordinate and interface technically with other engineering disciplines.

Stakeholder Coordination:

Act 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 relating to safety, reliability, and performance in contractor designs and recommend corrective actions.

Ensure all designs incorporate appropriate risk mitigation measures, including hazard identification (HAZID) and risk assessments.

Implemented 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.

Experience of working to a structured 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 producing, reviewing, and approving designs for National Grid and/or 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.

Location

Home based or based anywhere in the UK, with option to work from Omnia offices (Stafford, Stockton Heath, and Northallerton) per project requirements. Must be willing to travel anywhere in the UK.

Working Hours

Full‑time preferred but part‑time positions may be considered.

Package

• Competitive salary plus discretionary bonus.
• 40 hours per week, with all overtime payable or time off in lieu.
• 22 days holiday plus bank holidays, with option to increase.
• Private medical insurance.
• Workplace pension.
• Death in service.
• Company car scheme.

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