Lead Principal Substation Engineer

Lead Principal Substation Engineer

SSEN Transmission is seeking a Lead Principal Substation Engineer to join our Transmission Project Engineering team in Scotland.

Base

Location:

Perth, Glasgow, Aberdeen or Inverness (Scotland)

Salary: £78,400 – £117,600 + 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

This isn’t just a job—it’s your chance to make a meaningful impact and shape the future of Substation engineering at a pivotal time for SSEN Transmission. As we deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure projects and accelerate towards Net Zero, we’re looking for a collaborative and inspiring leader to join our team.

As Lead Principal Substation Engineer, you’ll provide technical leadership in the development of standardised designs and innovations across all Substation engineering projects. You’ll work closely with others, support and empower a talented team, and advocate for safety, consistency and creativity while driving forward solutions that power a greener, smarter energy network.

• Provide technical leadership and accountability for all Substation engineering projects, ensuring solutions meet business, regulatory and safety requirements.
• Guide and nurture a team of specialist engineers, fostering a supportive and inclusive culture and encouraging career growth.
• Oversee and coordinate resolution of technical issues, applying collaborative problem‑solving and thoughtful thinking across projects and work streams.
• Promote health, safety and environmental excellence, ensuring compliance with CDM, ESQCR and SSEN standards.
• Drive innovation by encouraging creativity and continuous improvement, implementing enhancements and engaging with industry forums to shape best practice.

• A proven track record of bringing out the best in people and delivering complex Substation engineering projects.
• A degree in an appropriate engineering discipline, with Chartered Engineer status (or equivalent) preferred.
• Deep technical knowledge of Substation engineering, relevant legislation (including CDM & ESQCR) and industry standards.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust and simplify complex ideas.
• Strong problem‑solving ability, collaborative decision‑making skills and a passion for supporting the growth of others.

About SSE
SSE has a bold ambition – to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We’re investing around £10 million a day in homegrown energy to help power a cleaner, more secure future. SSEN Transmission owns and operates the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland, ensuring a safe and reliable supply for the communities we serve and upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, home‑grown energy for the future.

Flexible benefits to fit your life
Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships; wellbeing benefits such as 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; generous family entitlements including 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 ( /  to discuss how we can support you. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.

Start your online application using the Apply Now box on this page. We only accept applications made online and will be in touch after the closing date.

Should you be offered a role with SSE, you will need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.