Senior Substation Design Engineer – Primary / HV Plant in Manchester

The Team

Cundall is a global engineering consultancy known for innovative and sustainable design across energy, infrastructure and the built environment. With a 50-year history, we deliver projects that shape the future of energy systems, from grid transmission and distribution to renewable energy and critical infrastructure.

Our Power Systems team specialises in high-voltage design, protection and control systems, power system studies and technical advisory services, delivering technically demanding projects in the UK and internationally.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Power Systems Engineer to strengthen our primary substation design capability, with particular emphasis on high-voltage transmission and grid infrastructure. The role will focus on technically complex AIS/GIS substations and grid connections, from concept and FEED through detailed design and delivery support.

You will take a leading role in primary and HV plant design, working closely with protection and control, power system studies, civil, structural, cable and earthing specialists. Experience at transmission voltages, particularly 275kV and 400kV, is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

Primary and HV plant design

• Lead and undertake primary plant design for new substations, extensions and upgrades, including AIS/GIS schemes.
• Develop and review single-line diagrams, substation layouts, equipment plans, design calculations, technical specifications and design reports.
• Specify and assess HV plant including transformers, switchgear, busbars, circuit breakers, disconnectors, CTs/VTs and associated auxiliary systems.

Coordination and delivery

• Coordinate interfaces with P&C, studies, HV cables, earthing, civil and structural design.
• Lead technical discussions with clients, utilities, EPC contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders.
• Support project delivery against scope, programme, quality and commercial requirements, including site visits and constructability reviews.

Quality and development

• Apply UK utility, client and applicable industry standards, managing design risks and CDM requirements.
• Review technical deliverables and provide mentoring and technical guidance to less experienced engineers.

The Skills

Essential Experience and Capabilities

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong relevant experience in HV substation primary / plant design, including projects at 132kV or above.
• Demonstrable experience producing and reviewing primary substation design deliverables.
• Good understanding of interfaces between primary plant, P&C, studies, civils, structures, cables and earthing.
• Experience working to UK transmission or distribution utility requirements and standards.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to lead defined technical work packages.

Desirable Experience

• Direct design experience at 275kV and/or 400kV.
• Experience delivering projects for, or interfacing with, National Grid Electricity Transmission and/or UK DNOs.
• Understanding of NESO requirements where relevant to grid connection and transmission projects.
• Chartered Engineer status, or demonstrable progress towards chartership.
• Experience across BESS, renewable generation, data-centre grid connections or major energy infrastructure.

What Success Looks Like

• Primary design packages are technically robust, coordinated and delivered to programme.
• Interfaces with P&C, studies, civils, structures, cables and earthing are identified and actively managed.
• Clients and project teams receive clear technical leadership and timely decisions.
• Less experienced engineers receive effective technical guidance and coaching.

Why Join Us?

• Work on technically challenging power and grid infrastructure projects.
• Develop Cundall's growing substation design capability while working alongside specialists in primary design, P&C and studies.
• Work within an integrated multidisciplinary consultancy across energy, BESS, data centres and critical infrastructure.
• Access flexible working arrangements and structured professional development.

Job Description

Your career at Cundall

We know that to be the best at what we do we need a diverse workforce underpinned by an inclusive culture. Creating environments where everyone can find joy doing their best work is also great for everyone. That's why we positively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, and encourage, support, and celebrate the diverse voices of our people.