Planning Standards Engineer (Gas & Hydrogen)

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

The methane gas networks have well-established engineering and planning standards, and NESO’s role in planning the methane gas network is firmly established and collaborates very strongly with National Gas Transmission (NGT). The standards and assumptions on which gas network planning is undertaken are similarly well-established and encoded in NGT’s Transmission Planning Code (TPC). However, the equivalent standards have not been fully established for the emerging hydrogen systems.

NESO will become the ‘strategic planner’ for hydrogen transportation and storage in 2026, which will require, at least, the development of planning standards equivalent to those used in methane gas transportation. We are seeking one or more experienced gas engineers to work together, under the leadership of a Network Engineering Manager, and with industry, to develop relevant standards, policies and practices for application in hydrogen system planning, and also to support in the review and development of gas (methane) standards and policies.

The role will primarily focus on establishing network planning standards for emerging hydrogen networks, ensuring alignment with relevant regulations, safety requirements, and best practices. We expect the focus to be on above 7 barg hydrogen networks, although knowledge of below 7 barg and downstream gas systems will be advantageous.

This is a fantastic opportunity to shape hydrogen engineering policy for all assets required for hydrogen transmission network and storage. In addition, the role will also take responsibility for ensuring that the network planning standards that apply to gas (methane) networks are understood and applied in NESO, providing robust challenge and review to the standards developed by the wider industry, such as the Transmission Planning Code.

The role will collaborate with key external stakeholders, including gas network businesses, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM), other relevant industry associations, government departments, and consumers, to shape the future of gas infrastructure.

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick or Glasgow and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.

Key Accountabilities:

• Development and documentation of the hydrogen network planning standards that will be applicable to NESO’s hydrogen network planning activities.
• Develop and maintain relevant engineering policies, technical standards and best practice.
• Assess whether policies and standards align with safety regulations and industry benchmarks, and ensure management is alerted to any misalignment or inconsistency.
• Support management in the Gas and Whole Energy Network Development (GWEND) department in the development of ways of working, working procedures and project management for your team including risk management and KPI monitoring.
• Work with relevant Strategic Energy Planning (SEP) directorate and wider NESO teams to ensure hydrogen network planning standards reflect various requirements such as security of supply, operability, deliverability.
• Provide support and guidance on gas and hydrogen engineering topics to wider teams in GWEND, SEP, NESO and in the wider industry.
• Maintain good working relationships with relevant engineers and teams within key stakeholders – in particular National Gas Transmission, licensed gas distribution networks, and relevant consumers.
• Support reviews of NGT’s TPC and other relevant standards.
• Contribute to growing NESO’s understanding on hydrogen and gas (methane) engineering standards.

About You:

• We’re looking for great people who are curious, ask questions, and drive for depth of understanding.
• Are passionate about developing their colleagues, doing the right thing for consumers and society, and accelerating the progress of the energy transition.
• Drive for change whilst working tactfully and sensitively with multiple stakeholders.

Particularly For This Role:

• Chartered Engineer in a relevant discipline or evidence of working towards chartership.
• Engineering knowledge of >7barg gas or hydrogen networks.
• May have experience of developing gas engineering and/or gas network planning standards.
• Is a strong communicator with excellent writing skills.

About What You’ll Get:

• A competitive salary between £50,000 - £68,000 – dependent on experience and capability.
• Bonus based on company performance.
• 26 days annual leave as standard.
• A competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.
• Full support and career-development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximise your potential along your career journey.
• A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table.
• Generous Total Rewards Plan – comprising of health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits.

This role closes on 3rd July 2025 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

We’re committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.