Senior Primary Design Engineer
Senior Primary Design Engineer

Senior Primary Design Engineer

Perth Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead high-voltage substation designs and collaborate on exciting engineering projects.
  • Company: Join Freedom, a top UK engineering firm with a rich history and innovative approach.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible benefits, and personal development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's low-carbon future while growing your career.
  • Qualifications: Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering preferred; experience in EHV/HV design is essential.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model available; supportive culture focused on inclusion and respect.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Freedom’s Professional Services division is seeking a Senior Primary Design Engineer to lead the delivery of high-voltage substation plant designs up to 400kV. This role involves working across a broad range of challenging projects from concept through to detailed design and construction support.

You will take technical responsibility for detailed primary design deliverables, applying specialist expertise in equipment specification, layout design, and complex engineering calculations. This is an opportunity to play a key role in supporting the UK’s transition to a low-carbon future through the design of critical power infrastructure.

Key Deliverables:
  • Promote safety through design and actively participate in HAZID and hazard review meetings
  • Perform site surveys and collaborate with operational and project teams
  • Develop concept and preliminary designs in line with client specifications and tender requirements
  • Generate and review detailed general arrangement drawings, substation layouts, and single line diagrams for substations up to 400kV
  • Prepare and refine technical specifications for plant and equipment
  • Undertake detailed design calculations, including:
  • Switchroom blast pressure
  • Busbar sizing and short circuit calculations
  • Cable sizing and thermal/mechanical forces
  • Heating, ventilation, small power and lighting
  • CT/VT sizing
  • Lightning protection and compound lightning calculations
  • Ensure design outputs meet all project documentation, employer requirements and industry standards
  • Maintain a right-first-time approach, meeting project KPIs for design quality and on-time delivery
  • Contribute to technical assurance processes, peer reviews and continuous improvement activities
  • Provide technical leadership within the design team and mentor junior engineers where required
  • What We’re Looking For:
    • Ideally a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (2:1 or above); a Master’s degree is advantageous
    • Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with the IET or equivalent, or working towards is desired
    • Strong experience in EHV/HV substation plant design with a proven track record on complex power projects
    • In-depth knowledge of primary plant systems up to 400kV and associated standards
    • Competent in electrical design tools and industry-standard CAD packages
    • Understanding of CDM regulations and the importance of safe-by-design principles
    • Excellent communication and report writing skills
    • CSCS or SHEA Power card required
    • NEBOSH or other relevant safety training (desirable)
    • Full UK driving licence
    Benefits:

    We’re always evolving our benefits to ensure we’re attracting and retaining great people. Some of what you can expect includes:

    • Competitive Salary
    • Company Car/ Car allowance
    • Salary Sacrifice car scheme (Hybrid/Electric Vehicle)
    • Pension with a leading provider and up to 8% employer contribution
    • Up to 25 days holidays (Buy & Sell option) plus 8 Bank Holidays
    • Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days
    • Private Medical Insurance
    • Free 24/7 365 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and well-being (including counselling sessions and legal advice)
    • Flexible benefits to suit from Dental Insurance, Gym Memberships, Give As You Earn, Travel Insurance, Tax Free Bikes
    • Personal development programme

    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.

    Freedom is 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.

    Senior Primary Design Engineer employer: Freedom

    At Freedom, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Perth and the Scottish Highlands. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our comprehensive personal development programmes and flexible benefits, including a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and private medical insurance. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to shaping the future of power infrastructure while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions and well-being.
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    Contact Detail:

    Freedom Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Senior Primary Design Engineer

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Familiarise yourself with the latest industry standards and regulations related to high-voltage substation design. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to safety and compliance.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Network with professionals in the electrical engineering field, especially those who have experience in EHV/HV substation projects. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to make connections that could lead to valuable insights or referrals.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Prepare to discuss specific projects you've worked on that relate to primary design engineering. Be ready to explain your role, the challenges faced, and how you contributed to the project's success, as this will showcase your hands-on experience.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Research Freedom's recent projects and initiatives in the low-carbon sector. Being knowledgeable about their work will allow you to tailor your conversation during interviews and show your genuine interest in contributing to their mission.

    We think you need these skills to ace Senior Primary Design Engineer

    High-Voltage Substation Design
    Electrical Engineering
    Complex Engineering Calculations
    Equipment Specification
    Layout Design
    General Arrangement Drawings
    Single Line Diagrams
    Technical Specifications Preparation
    CDM Regulations Understanding
    Electrical Design Tools Proficiency
    Industry-Standard CAD Packages
    Communication Skills
    Report Writing Skills
    Technical Leadership
    Mentoring Junior Engineers
    Safety-by-Design Principles
    HAZID Participation
    Project Management
    Continuous Improvement Activities

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in high-voltage substation design and engineering calculations. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in equipment specification and layout design.

    Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for contributing to the UK's low-carbon future. Mention how your background aligns with the key deliverables of the role and your commitment to safety through design.

    Highlight Technical Skills: Clearly outline your proficiency in electrical design tools and CAD packages. Include any relevant certifications, such as Chartered Engineer status or NEBOSH training, to strengthen your application.

    Showcase Leadership Experience: If you have experience mentoring junior engineers or leading design teams, make sure to include this in your application. Highlighting your leadership skills can set you apart from other candidates.

    How to prepare for a job interview at Freedom

    ✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise

    As a Senior Primary Design Engineer, it's crucial to demonstrate your in-depth knowledge of high-voltage substation design. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, the challenges you faced, and how you applied your technical skills to overcome them.

    ✨Prepare for Technical Questions

    Expect questions related to electrical design calculations, equipment specifications, and industry standards. Brush up on key concepts like busbar sizing, cable sizing, and safety regulations to confidently answer any technical queries during the interview.

    ✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance

    Safety is paramount in engineering roles. Be ready to discuss your experience with HAZID meetings, CDM regulations, and how you've promoted safe-by-design principles in your previous projects. This will show your commitment to maintaining high safety standards.

    ✨Demonstrate Leadership and Mentoring Skills

    Since the role involves providing technical leadership and mentoring junior engineers, share examples of how you've guided team members in the past. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and support others in their professional development.

    Senior Primary Design Engineer
    Freedom
    F
    • Senior Primary Design Engineer

      Perth
      Full-Time
      43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.)

      Application deadline: 2027-05-24

    • F

      Freedom

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