Principal Overhead Line (OHL) Engineer

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

Salary: £58,100 - £87,100+ 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

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Overhead Line (OHL) Engineer within the Transmission Project Engineering team. In this key role, you will work collaboratively to provide expert technical leadership across OHL engineering activities, ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality outputs and supporting teams through clear guidance and shared decision‑making across projects, standardisation and innovation initiatives, and in risk resolution. You’ll play a key role in shaping and influencing the approach to OHL design and delivery across the 132kV, 275kV, and 400kV transmission network within our licence area. Working with the Lead Principal OHL Engineer, you will contribute to a supportive and inclusive engineering culture, drive innovation, support industry engagement, and promote safety and consistency in design, supporting the transition to a safer, more efficient, and innovative engineering environment.

We also welcome applications from candidates with a strong electrical engineering background and large infrastructure experience, who are looking to develop within OHL engineering.

You will

• Act as a key OHL engineering contact, working collaboratively with internal teams and stakeholders to ensure smooth project delivery.
• Coach, mentor and support senior and junior engineers, encouraging learning and professional development within the OHL engineering discipline.
• Technically manage external consultants and contractors, providing clear direction, constructive feedback and support to ensure high-quality outputs and technical competence.
• Promote safety, health, and environmental best practices, embedding these principles into everyday ways of working and ensuring compliance with CDM, ESQCR, and SSEN standards.
• Drive innovation and value engineering, encouraging new ideas and engaging with industry forums to shape best practice.

You have

• Proven experience leading and supporting high-performing engineering teams and delivering complex engineering projects.
• Degree in an appropriate engineering discipline, with Chartered Engineer status (or equivalent) preferred.
• Excellent technical knowledge of OHL engineering, relevant legislation (including CDM & ESQCR, or similar), and industry standards. We also welcome applications from candidates with a strong electrical engineering background and large infrastructure experience who are looking to develop within OHL engineering.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and explain complex technical information clearly and confidently.
• Demonstrated ability in problem‑solving and risk‑based decision‑making, alongside a genuine commitment to supporting and developing others.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plan sees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

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 shirley-anne.o'connor@sse.com / 01738 351976 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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