Principal HV Design Engineer United Kingdom Glasgow, London, Dublin Application Deadline 11 May 2026

Do you want to be part of a growing team delivering sustainable electricity supplies? Can you collaborate across diverse international project teams? Are you experienced in high voltage electrical design for UK substations and cabling? Then, join us to shape a sustainable and liveable world.

Create Solutions that will enable a better tomorrow

To enable faster grid connections and resilient energy systems, we are looking for a High Voltage Design Engineer to join us. Your primary task will be to supervise engineering work related to the design of electrical transmission systems including substations and high voltage cabling. Your role will be focused on the design environment, which, while based in the UK, will involve interacting day-to-day with colleagues across our global hubs. There may also be opportunities to broaden your contribution to other areas within the electrical discipline in a variety of major infrastructure and energy sector settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Contributing towards the design of projects for a wide range of clients
• Planning design work and deliverables together with the wider project team, including civil and MEP professionals
• Development and technical assurance of design including use of relevant software
• Ensuring compliance with standards relevant to the UK and Irish power transmission industry, including District Network Operators (DNOs) and National Grid
• Coordination of multi-disciplinary aspects of projects
• Mentoring junior team members in design
• Contributing to the building of relationships with clients and other stakeholders

About You & Skills

The first step to success in this role is that you are eager to collaborate with the people around you, whether they are colleagues, partners, or customers. Developing ties with others is something you do by acting respectfully and delivering on your promises. And you never get set in your ways but keep exploring new insights and ways to improve.

What you will bring

• A relevant degree in electrical engineering, power systems engineering or similar
• Chartered Engineer status or similar
• Experience working to UK & Irish District Network Operator standards. National Grid experience and authorisations such as Senior Authorised Person would be an advantage.
• Hands‑on experience in designing high voltage systems 33‑132 kV, including Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS), Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS), Power transformers in the range up to 500 MVA, Protection & Control systems, Aux. Systems, CT/VT sizing, Earthing, bonding and lightning protection and High voltage cable systems
• Experience with systems above 132 kV including high voltage installations for offshore substations would be an advantage.
• Experience coordinating designs with other disciplines to create successful project outcomes
• The ability to provide technically sound solutions alone and acting as a discipline lead
• Experience of applying CDM2015 regulations to design tasks

A place to work and so much more

At COWI, we work together with our customers to shape a sustainable and liveable world. We do it by applying our knowledge and curiosity – and sometimes even our courage – to create the solutions the world needs today to enable a better tomorrow. We support our customers’ transition towards increased sustainability. We strive to lead by example by embedding environmental management, social responsibility and good governance into our business practices and the options we provide to our customers.

We value differences and development and cultivate an environment of belonging and having fun. Because that is what brings out the best in you, at work and at home.

With offices primarily located in the Nordic region, Ireland, the UK, North America and India, we are currently 7,300 people who bring their expertise in engineering, architecture, energy and environment into play.

What we also offer

To us, a fair reward is more than a competitive salary. We want to take care of our people professionally and personally as well.

• 28 days' holiday plus bank and public holidays
• Formalised development plans and yearly promotion opportunities
• Flexible and hybrid working conditions
• Annual subscription fees paid for your membership of two Professional Institutions
• Life assurance

Got more questions?

If you have any unanswered questions about the role or what we have to offer, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition Specialist Laura Dobson at

Equal opportunity employer

COWI provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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