The company: A global engineering and technology business specialising in electrical power transmission and distribution infrastructure, with a strong focus on high-voltage substations and grid modernisation.
Their niche is in end-to-end grid solutions for utilities and transmission operators, particularly:
- High-voltage AC transmission substations (132kV up to 400kV+)
- Grid integration for large-scale renewables (offshore wind, interconnectors, HVDC interfaces)
- Turnkey substation delivery (design, supply, installation support, commissioning support)
The role: A highly senior engineering authority role within the organisation, responsible for providing independent technical governance and assurance across all primary plant and substation design activities for major transmission and infrastructure projects. The Principal Plant Technical Authority acts as the ultimate engineering custodian for primary system integrity, ensuring all substation designs are safe, compliant, buildable, operable, and maintainable, while fully meeting client, regulatory, and organisational standards
Key Responsibilitie
- Provide independent verification and approval of high-voltage substation primary plant designs, including AIS/GIS layouts, switchgear, transformers, and associated plant systems
- Define and enforce engineering standards, technical requirements, and design governance across all projects
- Lead design assurance reviews and establish key design hold points for formal technical sign-off.
- Identify, challenge, and resolve critical technical risks, design non-conformances, and interface issues across disciplines.
- Ensure full alignment of designs with construction methodology, operational requirements, maintenance access, and lifecycle performance
- Act as the highest-level technical escalation point for primary plant engineering decisions within the organisation
- Provide expert guidance and mentoring to senior and lead engineers across the business
- Support continuous improvement of design processes, technical standards, and engineering quality frameworks
Your profile
- 10+ years in high-voltage substation engineering
- Proven background in primary plant / substation design
- Experience across AIS and GIS substations
- Exposure to 132kV–400kV+ transmission systems
- Track record in major utility or T&D projects (EPC or OEM)
Kieron Taylor-Thorpe
Recruitment Consultant
