Lead Design Engineer

Lead Design Engineer

SPHQ Glasgow or Prenton

Salary starting from £52,480 per annum plus excellent benefits

Flexible Hybrid Working

Closing Date:  19 August 2024

Help us create a better future, quicker

SP Energy Networks (SPEN) are working to achieve network targets set by the Scottish and UK Government as part of our journey to Net Zero. Our focus is on harnessing technology and innovation to create the networks of the future. SPEN is building a dynamic network to meet the changing demands for electricity and increasingly, renewable electricity – safely, securely and sustainably in the communities we serve.

As Lead Design Engineer, you will manage the Distribution Network (LV – 132kV) by developing and updating the relevant strategies, policies and plans for the SPD/SPM networks to minimise system, economic, safety and environmental risks. You will maximise the performance of the distribution system expected by our customers, stakeholders, maximising returns in both the short and long term. You will be responsible for identifying and developing individual programmes of work and design of complex projects for development and delivery by the districts including asset modernisation, major new connections, reinforcement, and other activities.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead the business planning process by systematic assessment by performing power system analysis using IPSA/ Power Factory or equivalent software’s to identify the location, timing, and magnitude of constraints and develop strategic network optioneering and planning – including the use of market-based solutions, scheme design, innovation and prioritisation.

• Effectively use the knowledge of power systems networks design and modelling experience to identify investments that will meet our licence obligations, maintain satisfactory levels of network risk, and improve network performance.

• Lead the development of the long-term investment plan for the distribution network including network modernisation, load related investment, system design, maintenance, innovation, and flexibility.

• Lead the development and implementation of investment policies, strategies, and system designs in accordance with best practice to ensure effective management of the asset base consistent with legal & licence requirements.

• Lead the development of the distribution network plan and ensure compliance with planning standards such as NETS SQSS, Grid Code, Distribution Code, P2 and other relevant design and asset management standards.

• Providing technical support and advice to senior management, peers and other operational units for area of specialism.

• Ensuring licence obligations are met through on time provision of connection offers.

• Management of network risks to minimise system, economic, safety and environmental risks in a cost-efficient manner. This will include examining and evaluating alternative schemes and designs and development of network wide asset replacement programmes, policies, strategies, and plans.

• Engagement with customers and stakeholders to effectively communicate the network technical and security requirements ensuring that SPEN’s position is well understood and viewed favourably.

• Support on-going activities such as forecasting, flexibility tendering, regulatory reporting, and industry work groups.

What you’ll bring

You will have Power Systems Engineering Design experience including performing complex power system studies (load flow, short circuit, transient stability and power quality) and knowledge of network design philosophy and policies and asset management techniques and practices.

You will be able to deliver highly complex computationally intensive projects quickly and to a high standard. It is key that you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate technical, regulatory, commercial and environmental factors when designing innovative network strategies.

As a Lead Design Engineer, your problem-solving and communication (verbal and written) skills are vital. These will enable you to devise solutions to complex problems/challenges, apply innovative thinking and to convey technical concepts to audiences at all levels.

To be successful, as a minimum you will have:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in power system design.

• Knowledge of network analysis and design practices, asset management practices, cost assessment and cost benefit analysis techniques.

• Strong communication (verbal and written) skills with the ability to convey technical concepts to different audiences through reports, presentation, and technical drawings.

• Strong IT literacy, including Microsoft Office suite, specialist engineering software packages, etc.

• Willing to travel within the UK and Europe.

• Flexible approach to working hours to ensure the delivery of planned and unplanned activities.

What’s in it for you

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy a number of other benefits. With our pension scheme, we’ll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%. 

At ScottishPower, we believe it’s the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family’s wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action – our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world – today and tomorrow. That’s why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave

• Holiday Purchase – perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave

• Share Schemes

• Payroll Giving and Charity Matched Funding

• Technology Vouchers – save more and spread the cost of your technology purchases

• Electric Vehicle Schemes – to help you transition to green/clean driving

• Cycle to Work scheme and Public Transport Season Ticket Loans

• Healthcare benefit options including: Dental Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, Health Cash Plan and annual Health Assessments

• Life Assurance (4x salary)

• Access to Savesmart financial wellbeing support

• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why SP Energy Networks

SP Energy Networks is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world’s largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses through Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and in the North West of England. We operate over 4000km of cables and lines that make-up the transmission network – connecting infrastructure like wind farms into the electricity system. It’s a role that puts us right at the heart of Scotland’s ambition to be Net Zero by 2044. And we’re taking it very seriously. We’re investing >£5.5 billion into our transmission network, directly supporting the rapid growth needed in renewable energy. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you’ll fit right in.

We are committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to careers@scottishpower.com.

Mobility

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country. If/when required, the Company will support the employee with the necessary Immigration requirements.

IMPORTANT 

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