Great Grid Programme: Lead Grid Design & Protection Roles in Leeds

Joining Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world. We deliver transmission and distribution design projects globally. In the UK, we provide services from concept through to detailed design for a wide range of clients such as established asset owners and new market entrants such as interconnectors and private wire schemes.

As an example, Arup recently formed a joint venture with AECOM to serve as the design and consenting service partner for the UK National Grid’s Great Grid Partnership. Over a period of 8–12 years, we will help deliver key aspects of the transmission grid transformation, ensuring a resilient, low‑carbon energy network for the future. This is the UK’s largest grid modernisation programme, set to deliver five times more electricity infrastructure than has been built in the past three decades. These projects, part of the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework, will enhance the country’s energy backbone, supporting planned renewable developments such as wind farms in the North Sea and East Anglia coastline. By expanding and enhancing the grid, this programme will accelerate the transition to net zero, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and drive down energy costs.

This collaboration will drive a comprehensive design and construction program aimed at connecting clean energy to homes and businesses across England and Wales by 2030 and beyond. We are seeking to receive expressions of interest from those who would like the opportunity to join our teams, promoting the growth of the Great Grid programme across any UK location. With offices across the UK, you will join teams of professionals with diverse industry knowledge.

Available Opportunities

• Civil Engineers – all levels: We are seeking applications from Civil Engineers within all sectors and career levels – ideally with experience in Grid, T&D, Power Distribution or Energy. We are particularly interested in applicants with LCDAE/CDAE.
• Lead Cable Design Engineer: Highly experienced individual for technical leadership and strategic delivery of transmission cable system designs. This role combines deep technical expertise with leadership responsibilities, ensuring the successful design and integration of cable systems for major electricity transmission projects. You will champion best practice design, guide teams, and act as the key technical authority for complex cable projects.
• Lead Protection & Control Substation Engineer: Technical leadership and strategic delivery of transmission substation protection and control systems. In this role, you will deliver excellence in design, act as lead interface with multidisciplinary design teams and ensure the successful execution of complex projects that underpin the reliability and resilience of the power network.
• Transmission Design Engineers (all levels): Civils Overhead Line Design Primary & Secondary Systems Protection & Control Substation.

What We Offer You

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts. We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross‑cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference.