Lead Principal Engineer - HVDC Plant

Base Location: For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Scottish locations – Perth, Glasgow, Aberdeen or Inverness  and you'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in the office

Salary: £78,400 - £117,600 + car / car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.  

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time (Part Time options available) | Flexible First options available  

The role 

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the future of HVDC Plant engineering across some of the UK’s most complex and ambitious transmission projects. As we deliver a programme valued at c.£30bn over the T3 period and accelerate towards Net Zero, we're looking for a credible, collaborative and technically authoritative leader to join our Offshore Project Engineering team.  

As Lead Principal Engineer – HVDC Plant, you'll oversee the design development, coordination and implementation of our HVDC System across a multiproject offshore portfolio. You’ll provide technical leadership, mentor specialist HVDC Plant engineers, ensure engineering consistency and safety, and drive innovation and design improvement across the entire offshore programme.  

You will act as a critical point of escalation for HVDC Plant related design issues, ensuring solutions meet SSEN Transmission standards, statutory requirements (including CDM and ESQCR) and operational needs. 

You collaborate closely with colleagues from across our business, partner organisations and supply chain, contributing to the to development of fit for purpose standards and sharing knowledge and experience to advance and optimise the available solutions, whilst raising the profile of SSE Offshore Delivery projects and achievements.  

You Will 

- Provide technical leadership and accountability for all HVDC Plant engineering initiatives, ensuring solutions meet business, regulatory, and safety requirements. 

- Guide and nurture a team of specialist engineers, fostering a supportive and inclusive culture and encouraging career growth. 

- Oversee and coordinate resolution of technical issues, applying collaborative problem-solving and thoughtful thinking across projects and workstreams. 

- Promote health, safety, and environmental excellence, ensuring compliance with CDM, ESQCR, and SSEN standards. 

- Drive Innovation by encouraging creativity and continuous improvement, implementing enhancements and engaging with industry forums to shape best practice. 

- Actively engage with Technology providers to develop a thorough understanding of technical developments, new solutions and emerging providers. Feeding into technology strategies for our future project pipeline  

You Have 

- A proven track record of bringing out the best in people and delivering complex HVDC Converter engineering projects. 

- A degree in an appropriate engineering discipline, with Chartered Engineer status (or equivalent) preferred. 

- Deep technical knowledge of HVDC Plant engineering, relevant legislation (including CDM & ESQCR), and industry standards. 

- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust and simplify complex ideas. 

- Strong problem-solving ability, collaborative decision-making skills, and a passion for supporting the growth of others. 

About SSE   

SSE has a bold ambition – to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We're investing around £10 million a day in homegrown energy to help power a cleaner, more secure future.   

SSEN Transmission own and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport energy from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for the communities we serve. But that's not all – we're upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown energy for the future and building a network for net zero to create secure power for generations to come.   

Flexible benefits to fit your life   

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.   

Work with an equal opportunity employer   

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact hannah.e.cutajar@sse.com / 01738 341147 to discuss how we can support you.   

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.   

Ready to apply?   

Start your online application using the Apply Now box on this page. We only accept applications made online. We'll be in touch after the closing date to let you know if we'll be taking your application further. If you're offered a role with SSE, you'll need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.