Principal Civil Engineer (Transmission & Distribution) in Musselburgh

At Jacobs, we are challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact: Jacobs is playing a leading role in the global energy transition. As our UK and Continental Europe team continues to expand, we are seeking a Principal Engineer – Civils to provide strategic leadership across frontend engineering design (FEED) and detailed civil/structural design for high-voltage (HV) AIS/GIS substations (132–400 kV), HVDC converter stations, overhead line (OHL) interfaces and underground cable projects. You will shape technical assurance, delivery excellence and market growth in the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead civil/structural design packages from concept through detailed design and construction support for National Grid and DNO clients.
• Develop civil layouts for substations, including platforms, foundations, bunds, drainage, access roads, ducting, fencing, and security features, integrating geotechnical and structural inputs with electrical plant layouts.
• Prepare and review calculations, drawings, and specifications for foundations, bunds/oil containment, drainage/SuDS, and structural framing, ensuring compliance with Eurocodes and DNO standards.
• Conduct design reviews and risk assessments.
• Ensure adherence to CDM 2015 and Jacobs’ quality processes.
• Manage resources and deliverables within agreed budgets and timelines.
• Coordinate with global design centres, sub-consultants, and suppliers using BIM/CDE platforms (Civil 3D, Revit, MicroStation).
• Support client meetings, technical presentations, and tender submissions.
• Maintain strong relationships with project stakeholders.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to capability development within the civils team.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A degree in Civil Engineering or another relevant engineering discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status with a relevant institution or working towards chartered status.
• Experience within a civil discipline and experience in delivering complex multi-disciplinary projects for the Energy Transition industry.
• Experience preparing design calculations, reports, and detailed drawings. CAD (AutoCAD or Microstation) preferred but not essential.

Why Jacobs?

People are Jacobs’ greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. In addition to the benefits you’d expect, UK employees also receive free single medical cover and digital GP service, family-friendly benefits such as enhanced parental leave pay and free membership of employee assistance and parental programmes, plus reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships. We also give back to our communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched-funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team.