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- Tasks: Lead engineering activities on major National Grid substation projects from concept to completion.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking engineering team shaping the UK's energy infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, car allowance, and contributory pension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-profile projects while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Must have CDAE certification and a degree in Electrical Engineering.
- Other info: Remote work with some site attendance; travel opportunities available.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Primary and Secondary CDAE Engineers – National Grid Projects
Location: UK (Remote with some attendance required to site and office)
Salary: Highly Competitive
Benefits: Excellent including Bonus, Car Allowance & Contributory Pension
We are seeking both Primary and Secondary CDAE Engineers to join a highly skilled engineering team delivering complex National Grid substation projects across the UK. These are exciting opportunities to lead engineering activities from concept to completion on major infrastructure programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all primary or secondary engineering activities throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring compliance with specifications, standards, QA/QC, HSSE, and integrity requirements.
- Manage and coordinate engineering interfaces across internal teams, external partners, suppliers, and construction stakeholders.
- Prepare and review design documentation, including Single Line Diagrams (SLD), Design Intent Documents (DID), Functional Design Specifications (FDS), and Design Compliance Audits.
- Participate in design review meetings, hazard review meetings, and technical discussions with clients and suppliers.
- Provide technical calculations, bills of quantities, and tender support for HV substation projects.
- Oversee engineering budgets, schedules, risk management, and design change processes.
- Support site teams during project execution and as-built documentation stages.
Technical Expertise
Primary CDAE Engineers:
- HV plant design packages, grounding & lightning design, transformer and switchgear systems, earthing calculations, and civil/structural interface requirements.
Secondary CDAE Engineers:
- Protection & Control (P&C) systems, AC/DC distribution, signal lists, setting calculations, cable schedules, substation control architecture, and interface engineering.
In order to apply for this job you MUST HAVE:
- Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE) certification from National Grid (Primary or Secondary as applicable).
Qualifications & Skills also required:
- Degree (BEng/MEng) in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
- Extensive experience in EHV/HV Air & Gas Insulated Substation (AIS & GIS) projects in the UK.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards it.
- Strong knowledge of National Grid standards.
- Proficiency in MS Office, AutoCAD, and MicroStation.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to coordinate across multidisciplinary teams.
- Willingness to travel up to 25% domestically/internationally.
Why Apply?
- Work on high-profile substation projects shaping the UK’s energy infrastructure.
- Join a collaborative and forward-thinking engineering team with opportunities for professional growth.
- Benefit from a highly competitive salary, bonus, car allowance, and contributory pension scheme.
CDAE Engineers employer: First Recruitment Group
Contact Detail:
First Recruitment Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land CDAE Engineers
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their projects. We recommend practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends. The more prepared you are, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your past projects and achievements. We want to see how you’ve tackled challenges and delivered results, especially in complex engineering environments like National Grid projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace CDAE Engineers
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the CDAE Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience with HV substation projects and any specific skills that match the job description. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your CDAE certification – it’s a must-have for us!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Be sure to include your technical expertise in areas like design documentation and engineering activities. We’re looking for candidates who can hit the ground running, so let us know what you bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Recruitment Group
✨Know Your Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to CDAE engineering. Be ready to discuss HV plant design, grounding, and lightning design, as well as any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Prepare for Design Discussions
Since you'll be involved in design review meetings, it's crucial to prepare by reviewing key documents like Single Line Diagrams and Functional Design Specifications. Think about potential questions or challenges that might arise during these discussions, so you can demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Teamwork Skills
You'll need to coordinate with various teams and stakeholders, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you've managed interfaces between different engineering disciplines.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Compliance
Understanding compliance with specifications, standards, and QA/QC is vital. Prepare to talk about how you've ensured compliance in previous projects, and be familiar with National Grid standards to show that you’re a good fit for their requirements.
