HV Technical Associate Director – Great Grid Partnership in Newcastle upon Tyne

HV Technical Associate Director – Great Grid Partnership in Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne Full-Time 55000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Arup

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative electrical engineering projects for the UK's largest grid modernisation programme.
  • Company: Join Arup, a global leader in shaping a sustainable future.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and a focus on personal growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values collaboration and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the transition to net zero energy.
  • Qualifications: Chartered Electrical Engineer with experience in major transmission networks.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 80 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 and construction for a wide range of clients, including 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.

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 80 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 and construction for a wide range of clients, including 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.

The Opportunity

Provide strategic and authoritative technical leadership across specific electrical engineering aspects of major transmission and infrastructure projects within the UK Great Grid Partnership and other similar projects.

You will lead the design, assurance, and integration of all electrical elements of the works - including primary plant, protection and control, SCADA, earthing, auxiliary systems, commissioning, and interfaces with civil, structural and construction disciplines, ensuring seamless multidisciplinary coordination and high quality delivery that underpins the resilience and expansion of the national electricity network.

This role combines technical direction, strategic planning, and delivery oversight, drawing on experience that spans substation works, cable routes, OHL, and largescale infrastructure programmes.

It requires an individual who can influence at senior levels, provide technical assurance across multiple work packages, and represent the HV electrical engineering discipline in high stakes client and governance forums, scaling infrastructure programmes.

Key Responsibilities

  • Leadership & Strategy
  • Provide organisation wide technical leadership.
  • Define and uphold best practice design methodologies and GGP technical governance standards, including integration with National Grid assurance processes.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, providing insight on constructability, engineering risk, programme readiness, and cross-discipline technical dependencies.
  • Drive consistency and technical excellence across bundles, ensuring alignment with GGP Charter behaviours.
  • Project Delivery
  • Oversee design, assurance, and integration of electrical engineering deliverables including:
  • Substation electrical design, including primary plant, busbar arrangements, switchgear, transformers, reactive compensation, earthing, lighting, small power and auxiliary systems.
  • Protection, control, automation and SCADA systems, including relay settings philosophy, control building interfaces, telecoms, metering and cyber-secure integration.
  • Cable and OHL electrical engineering interfaces, including ratings, bonding, insulation coordination, electrical clearances, commissioning requirements and energisation readiness.
  • Lead validation and mobilisation activities during design transitions, including review of incumbent designs, identification of design gaps, and optimisation opportunities.
  • Ensure electrical design inputs meet all programme milestones, budget constraints, and contractual requirements.
  • Promote digital engineering, modern methods, and integrated design solutions to drive quality, efficiency, and innovation.
  • Technical Governance & Assurance
  • Lead technical reviews, challenge assumptions, and provide authoritative signoff across complex electrical design packages.
  • Oversee risk management processes for electrical design, ensuring issues and lessons learned are captured, escalated, and actioned.
  • Ensure compliance with all health, safety, wellbeing, and CDM related requirements throughout design activities. related requirements throughout design activities.
  • Team & Capability Development
  • Mentor, develop, and guide electrical engineers and interdisciplinary design teams, supporting capability uplift and succession planning.
  • Lead onboarding and transition support for new team members, ensuring continuity and knowledge transfer across bundles.
  • Foster a collaborative, high performing team culture that values learning, integration, and technical excellence.
  • Stakeholder & Client Engagement
  • Act as the primary technical interface with National Grid, partner organisations, contractors, and wider stakeholders.
  • Represent electrical engineering in design forums, site visits, technical meetings, and governance reviews.
  • Support tendering, cost optimisation, and technical strategy for bids and major programme investments.
  • Innovation & Industry Leadership
  • Advocate for continuous improvement, enhancement of processes, and standardisation of tools/templates across the electrical engineering discipline.
  • Contribute to industry development in electricity transmission infrastructure engineering, representing the organisation in professional and regulatory forums.

Is this role right for you?

Essential

  • Chartered Electrical Engineer (CEng IET) or equivalent, with extensive experience in major electricity transmission network infrastructure.
  • Proven leadership of multidisciplinary electrical design teams, including design assurance, technical governance, and stakeholder engagement.

• Strong technical expertise across

  • HV substation primary plant, protection and control, SCADA, telecommunications, metering, earthing, auxiliary systems and commissioning.
  • Transmission substation electrical layouts, single line diagrams, schematics, interlocking, protection philosophies and equipment specifications.
  • HV cable and OHL electrical design interfaces, including ratings, earthing and bonding, insulation coordination, electrical clearances, testing, commissioning and handover.
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate and integrate with civil, environmental, geotechnical, and structural disciplines.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience presenting at senior governance levels.
  • Experience of business development and work winning and working across the project lifecycle from concept to detailed design, including working for / with contractors.

Desirable

  • Experience working to National Grid standards.
  • CDAE accreditation or familiarity with GGP assurance frameworks.
  • Proficiency with design tools such as CCMCAP, CDEGs, ETAP, Powerfactory and other electrical design platforms.

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.

Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities.

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.

Arup offer a hybrid working model and flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.

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 (within legal limits), 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.

Discover more about life at Arup at https://www. arup. com/careers/life-at-arup/.

Our Application Process

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

All applications will be considered, and we will make every effort to respond within 72 hours of receipt.

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HV Technical Associate Director – Great Grid Partnership in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Arup

Arup is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture in Leeds that fosters collaboration and innovation. Employees benefit from competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in security advisory services.

Arup

Contact Details:

Arup Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land HV Technical Associate Director – Great Grid Partnership in Newcastle upon Tyne

Get Involved with Industry Events

The energy and utilities sector is always buzzing with events, trade shows, and networking opportunities. We should hit up conferences and exhibitions like Energy UK or Utility Week Live—these are prime spots to mingle with industry professionals and even snag some insider info on job openings!

Join Energy-focused Online Communities

Let's tap into online platforms and forums like LinkedIn groups or Reddit communities specifically for energy and utilities. Not only can we showcase our knowledge, but we can also stay updated on company announcements or job leads from people already in the know.

Consider Industry Certifications

Pushing ahead with certifications like the NEBOSH National Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health (if you’re into safety) can give us a leg up in this competitive field. It not only builds our credibility but also shows employers that we’re serious about our career in energy and utilities.

Apply ThroughArup's Website

Don’t forget to apply directly through Arup's website for the full-time HV Technical Associate Director – Great Grid Partnership role. Many companies prioritise candidates who show initiative by going straight to the source. Make sure we tailor our application to highlight our passion for the energy sector!

We think you need these skills to ace HV Technical Associate Director – Great Grid Partnership in Newcastle upon Tyne

Chartered Electrical Engineer (CEng IET)
Leadership of multidisciplinary electrical design teams
Technical governance
Stakeholder engagement
HV substation primary plant design
Protection and control systems
SCADA systems

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Energy Knowledge:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure you highlight any knowledge or experience related to the energy-utilities sector. Whether it’s coursework, internships, or projects that showcase your understanding of energy management, sustainability, or regulatory frameworks, we want to see that passion and expertise shine through.

Quantify Your Achievements:In our field, numbers speak volumes! Don’t just tell us about your previous roles; quantify your achievements where possible. For instance, mention how you improved energy efficiency by a percentage or contributed to cost savings. This makes your application more compelling and shows us just how impactful you can be.

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Arup. Tailor it to reflect how your values align with our mission in the energy sector. Share why you're excited about this specific role and how you envision contributing to our goals.

Demonstrate Your Team Spirit:Collaboration is key in the energy-utilities industry. In your application, emphasise any team projects or experiences where you worked effectively with others, especially on sustainability initiatives or technical projects. We're looking for someone who can mesh well with our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Arup

Show Your Passion for Renewable Energy

In the energy-utilities sector, it’s vital to demonstrate your enthusiasm for sustainable practices and innovations. Share experiences where you've worked on or studied renewable energy projects, whether that’s through coursework, past internships, or personal initiatives. Let us see how your passion aligns with the ethos of Arup.

Brush Up on Industry Regulations

Being familiar with industry standards and regulations is crucial in energy-utilities interviews. Make sure to know the basics of relevant policies and frameworks, like the Energy Act or environmental legislation. This will not only show you’ve done your homework but will also prepare you for potential technical questions about compliance during your interview.

Highlight Teamwork and Project Management Skills

Most roles in the energy sector involve collaboration with diverse teams. Be ready to discuss examples where you’ve successfully worked in teams or led projects, especially those involving energy initiatives. This is particularly important for a full-time position, as employers want to see you bring a collaborative spirit to Arup.

Prepare for Technical Assessments

Expect some technical questions or even practical assessments during your interview, especially about energy efficiency methodologies or basic engineering principles relevant to the role. It’s a good idea to brush up on key concepts and be prepared to explain them clearly, as this will demonstrate your technical proficiency and readiness to jump into your new role.