Head of Substation

Head of Substation - Plant & P&C DesignLondon, Stowmarket, Leeds HybridPermanent - Full TimeCompetitive (DOE) + Car/ Car Allowance & Flexible Benefits

As Head of Substation (Plant & P&C Design) you will lead the substation engineering function responsible for both electrical plant and Protection & Control (P&C) design across substations from distribution up to transmission voltages (typically 33kV-400kV). You will act as the technical authority and strategic lead for substation design, ensuring delivery of safe, compliant, high-quality engineering solutions that meet client requirements, regulatory standards, and industry best practice.

You will shape technical strategy, develop design processes, manage multi-disciplinary teams, support business development, and engage with key external stakeholders including UK Transmission Operators (e.g., National Grid, SSEN), Distribution Network Operators, contractors, and clients.

Some of the key deliverables in this role will include:

Strategic Leadership

• Lead and evolve the substation design function (both Plant and P&C disciplines), defining technical standards, best practices, and long-term capability goals.
• Champion safety-by-design, quality assurance, and compliance with UK/EU legislation and industry standards (ENA, BS, IEC).
• Align design resources with business strategy, project pipeline, and client commitments.

Technical Authority

• Oversee Primary (Plant) design, including specification, layout, and detailed engineering of switchgear, transformers, buswork, earthing, auxiliary supplies, and associated equipment.
• Direct Protection & Control design strategy, including protection philosophies, schemes, relay settings, interlocking, SCADA interfaces, logic, and communications systems.
• Approve design deliverables, ensuring technical integrity, constructability, and compliance with relevant utility technical requirements.

Project Delivery & Governance

• Provide technical governance on major substation projects from concept through FEED, detailed design, construction support, and commissioning.
• Drive quality, consistency, and risk mitigation across design work packages and oversee design assurance processes.
• Engage in tender preparation, bid support, estimating, and scope definition to secure new work.

People Leadership

• Build, coach, and mentor a high-performing team of engineers and technical specialists.
• Define career pathways, training plans, and performance objectives within the substation design function.
• Facilitate effective multidisciplinary collaboration with civil, structural, overhead line, cables, and project management teams.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a senior technical representative in meetings with clients, regulators, and partners.
• Liaise with external design houses, equipment vendors, contractors, and suppliers to optimise technical solutions and delivery outcomes.
• Manage feedback loops with clients to inform continuous improvement and foster strong commercial relationships.

Does this sound like a role you have envisaged yourself in?

What we're looking for:

• Proven senior experience in substation design leadership within the UK-Transmission & Distribution sector.
• Deep understanding of electrical plant engineering and Protection & Control systems for substation environments up to 400kV.
• Strong knowledge of UK/National Grid technical standards, grid codes, and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience with design tools and engineering software (e.g., AutoCAD, EPlan, ETAP/DIgSILENT, protection coordination tools).

Qualifications

• MEng / BEng Degree in Electrical Engineering
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with IET (or working towards it) advantageous.
• Previous experience interfacing with UK Transmission Operators (e.g., National Grid ESO) and DNOs

Why Join Us?

At Freedom, we believe in attracting and retaining the best talent by offering great benefits and career progression opportunities, including:

• • Pension with up to 8% employer contribution
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days
  • Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme (Hybrid/Electric Vehicle)
  • Flexible benefits (e.g., Dental Insurance, Gym Memberships, Tax-Free Bikes)
  • Ongoing Training & Development Programme

Next Steps:

As a business, we're on a journey to build on our culture where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. This starts with recruitment and how we bring people into the organisation.

We'll do our best to outline the recruitment process to you ahead of time with plenty of notice. If you require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met. About Us :

Freedom are part of the NG Bailey Group, one of the leading independent engineering and services businesses in the UK. Founded in 1921, with a turnover of £500m and 3000 employees, we are proud of our history of developing great people through our investment in training.

Working across a variety of sectors within the building and infrastructure industry, our innovative, responsible and forward thinking approach allows us to work on fantastic ground-breaking projects, providing solutions using the latest tools and technologies

Progression is something we value and we will make sure that when you join us you have a clearly defined development path, supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support to enable you to be the best you can be.