Principal Design Engineer - Transmission Electrical

We are recruiting for a Principal Design Engineer (Transmission - Electrical) to join us here at Navitas Engineering - an Octavius Company.

We are a leading electrical engineering organisation delivering safe, sustainable, and efficient transport solutions across the UK.

Navitas Engineering provides electrical engineering design, consultancy, and testing services to the railway and electricity supply industries. Our expertise spans the entire asset lifecycle, including feasibility studies, option assessment and selection, outline and detailed design, testing, and engineering support throughout implementation, operation, and maintenance phases.

The Principal Design Engineer is a senior technical lead within the design team, responsible for leading, developing, and assuring high‑voltage (HV) and extra‑high‑voltage (EHV) design solutions (132 kV to 400 kV). This role operates across a range of transmission level projects, including renewals and enhancements work.

The Principal Design Engineer provides technical leadership, ensures full compliance with National Grid and other applicable standards. (e.g., NGESO/NGED, ENA, IEC), and drives best‑practice engineering throughout the design lifecycle. The role includes line management, technical governance, client engagement at senior levels, and work winning/tendering.

Technical Leadership

• Act as the technical lead for transmission‑voltage design (132–400 kV).
• Lead concept, FEED, and detailed design phases across major transmission projects.
• Provide expert guidance on substation electrical primary and secondary equipment design, including for example substation layout, protection, control, earthing design and equipment specification.
• Approve technical documentation, ensuring accuracy, safety, and compliance.

Project Delivery

• Oversee design packages from feasibility to commissioning support.
• Develop design strategies, scopes, and technical methodologies.
• Manage and deliver engineering outputs to agreed budgets, milestones, and quality standards.
• Manage design review meetings.

Compliance, Standards & Assurance

• Ensure full compliance with transmission‑sector regulations, including:
  • National Grid Technical Specifications (TS), Grid Code, SQSS.
  • ENA Engineering Recommendations.
  • IEC/BS EN standards relevant to HV/EHV systems.
• Lead internal and external design assurance reviews, audits, and HAZIDs/HAZOPs.
• Champion safety‑by‑design and risk mitigation throughout all design stages.

Tools & Technology

• Knowledge of HV system modelling platforms such as Power Factory or ETAP preferable.
• Oversight of CAD, BIM, and digital engineering workflows.
• Promote continuous improvement of design tools, templates, and engineering processes.

Team Leadership & Development

• Mentor, manage, and technically develop Senior/Design Engineers.
• Lead technical training initiatives and promote engineering excellence.
• Allocate design resources, monitor performance, and support capability building within the team.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with client organisation representatives, and other relevant interfaces.
• Represent the company as the technical lead in design reviews, workshops, and strategic meetings.
• Provide high‑level engineering consultation and problem‑solving for clients.

General Responsibilities

• Support commercial activities: bids, technical proposals, scopes of work, and change control.
• Lead initiative to grow design capability and team within the company.
• Uphold the company's values and maintain a high level of professionalism.

A team of highly motivated, dedicated professionals delivering projects across a variety of frameworks .

We offer a…