Principal Engineer - Substations

Base Location: For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Scottish locations – Perth, Inverness or Aberdeen. 

Salary: £58,100 - £95,810 + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

At SSEN Transmission, we are building a network for Net Zero - one that's smarter, more flexible, and equipped to support the future of energy. Our mission is to deliver clean, reliable, and investment in the network that provides long lasting benefits to generations to come.

Our Network Engineering team sits within the Asset Management and Operations Directorate. We’re responsible for ensuring that engineering activities across our Transmission projects and business areas are safe, technically sound and fully supported. We carry out Design and Technical Engineering Governance for the Transmission Business, ensuring our network operates safely, reliably and in compliance with the relevant legislation. 

As part of our journey, we're looking for a Principal Engineer - Substations to join our specialist team. This is a key role where you’ll help shape technical policy, influence industry standards, and support the delivery of innovative, future-ready projects across our high-voltage transmission network.

What you’ll be doing?

• Own and maintain technical specifications and guidance notes for substation designs, including substation earthing systems.
• Continuously improve existing specifications based on lessons learned and emerging technologies.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines – including Civil, LV/MV systems, Cables, Overhead Lines – and work closely with our asset management and operations teams.
• Support the Design Authority and act as part of the Technical Authority, providing your expert knowledge into reviewing substation designs to ensure compliance with technical specifications and verifying suitability for the transmission network.
• Offer technical consultancy across the business, mentor peers, and share your specialist knowledge to support team development.
• Represent SSEN Transmission at industry events and working groups (e.g. ENA, IEC, CIGRE), and bring back insights and best practices to strengthen our engineering approach.

What we’re looking for

We’re seeking someone with substantial experience in substation design and design approval, ideally within the UK transmission network, who can bring deep technical insight and a collaborative mindset to our team. That said, we understand that expertise comes in many forms, and we’re open to hearing from candidates who meet most of the criteria and are eager to grow into the role.

You’ll likely thrive in this role if you have:

• A degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline, and Chartered Engineer status (or are actively working towards it).
• Strong experience in the design, specification, and application of transmission voltage substations.
• The ability to critically assess technical challenges and evaluate a range of solutions, with a solid understanding of the design, planning, operation, and development requirements of the transmission network.
• Familiarity with SSE Transmission, National Grid, British and European Standards, and experience writing technical specifications, guidance notes, or work instructions.
• Exposure to the design, manufacturing, testing, installation, or maintenance of transmission voltage plant and equipment is a plus.

We know that not every candidate will tick every box — and that’s okay. If you bring relevant experience, a passion for engineering excellence, and a desire to help shape the future of the UK’s transmission network, we’d love to hear from you.

About SSE

SSE has a bold ambition – to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We're transforming the grid to provide greener electricity for millions of people and investing over £20 billion in homegrown energy, with £20 billion more in the pipeline.

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 Andy on andrew.torrance@sse.com / 01738 275370 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.

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