Senior Operations Engineer
Senior Operations Engineer

Senior Operations Engineer

Full-Time 47000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead projects ensuring top-notch performance of energy systems and mentor a dynamic team.
  • Company: Join National Grid, a leader in the energy transition towards a net zero future.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, bonuses, and flexible benefits.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's energy future while developing your skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in high voltage environments and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 47000 - 55000 £ per year.

About The Role

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don’t plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. Join us as an Operations Engineer and a Senior Operations Engineer and find your superpower.

National Grid is hiring an Operations Engineer and a Senior Operations Engineer to join the operations team on site at our interconnector in Sellindge. National Grid Interconnectors is at the heart of the UK’s transition to our net zero energy future. We operate a number of HVDC interconnectors that connect the UK’s energy system to some of our closest neighbours, allowing energy to be imported to and exported from the UK. We’re working on developing new projects to ensure that we can meet the UK’s future demands for greener energy solutions.

As our Senior Engineer, you will have a critical role ensuring that the assets (Converter Station, Cable Systems, Substation & associated Operational Technology) maintain the highest level of operational performance. You’ll lead on various projects within the Converter Station, supervising team members ensuring safe systems of work are implemented and followed, sharing your knowledge and expertise to ensure completion of maintenance, refurbishment or replacement works on a variety of plant and equipment across the site.

What You’ll Do

  • Undertake a range of duties including monitoring, maintenance, fault investigation & repair, witnessing & testing & commission, record updating.
  • Supervising Technicians and Third-Party Contractors to ensure optimum efficiency, cost effectiveness, with high standards of environmental & safety performance.
  • Supporting and mentoring development requirements for Technicians to gain Authorised Persons (AP) & Senior Authorised Persons (SAP) under Safety Rules.
  • Adhere to the site safety rules, establish safe systems of work (risk assessment), raise and issue safety documents to staff and contractors ensuring safety from the system.
  • Manage the delivery of specific projects (enacting the Project Leader / Subject Matter expert role) to maintain and improve the performance of our assets and systems.
  • Supervising Service Contractors to ensure optimum efficiency, cost effectiveness, with high standards of environmental & safety performance.
  • Monitor works to ensure delivery to time, quality and within SHE policies and procedures and safety rules.
  • Undertaking standby and emergency call out duties, enacting the role of a Senior Authorised Person (SAP).
  • Create a safety culture and develop assurance of procedural compliance and consistency across interconnectors.
  • Manage the planning and delivery of outage maintenance periods to ensure all work is arranged, planned, and delivered in line with operational and safety processes and procedures and in a way that maximises availability and associated commercial value for the business.
  • Manage & maintain a productive & collaborative interface with Service Providers & 3rd parties.
  • Support implementation of the asset management asset and work planning tool (MAXIMO).
  • Support Contract Management in Warranty & Service Providers KPI’s and management information.

What You’ll Need

  • Senior Authorised Person (SAP) authorisation or working towards (e.g. Operational Authority, Authorised AP).
  • Knowledge and understanding of work and/or failures on HV & LV systems, encompassing both electrical and mechanical systems.
  • +3 years’ experience working within high voltage environment or similar environment.
  • Strong experience managing and overseeing contractor and in-house team performance including safety, health, environment & quality when carrying out work.
  • Experience of working and making critical business and operational decisions with conflicting priorities and under pressure.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of gaining a high degree of credibility and influencing with teams, particularly leading a team.
  • Safety & environmental knowledge and understanding in respect of day-to-day duties, together with proven ability to respond to emergency situations.
  • Experience in managing on-call activities and making decisions in ambiguous environments.
  • Foundation knowledge of key Health, Safety and Environmental and Occupier legislation applicable within an operational environment and premises.
  • Experience of managing and delivering a diverse workforce, ranging from employed to contract personnel.
  • Experience of delivering complex projects and a knowledge of basic project management techniques.

What You’ll Get

A competitive salary between £55,000 - £65,000 per annum – dependent on capability. The role also comes with a company car, standby allowance and a market supplement of £3000. You will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving.

About Us

National Grid is pioneering ways to decarbonise the energy system; from building interconnectors to allow the UK to share clean energy with our neighbours in Europe, to investing in renewable energy generation in the United States. As one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world, National Grid is at the centre of a clean, fair and affordable energy future, where tackling climate change and reaching net zero is a key priority.

More Information

This role closes on 26th February 2026 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

Senior Operations Engineer employer: National Grid

At National Grid, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programmes and mentorship opportunities, ensuring that our team members thrive in their careers while contributing to the vital energy transition. Located at our Sellindge interconnector site, employees benefit from competitive salaries, flexible benefits, and a strong focus on safety and environmental performance, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about sustainable energy solutions.
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Contact Detail:

National Grid Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Operations Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at National Grid on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the company’s projects and values. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for the energy transition and how your skills align with their mission.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your STAR technique for answering behavioural questions. We want to hear about specific situations where you’ve led teams or solved problems, especially in high-pressure environments. Make those experiences shine!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely keen on joining the team.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations Engineer

Senior Authorised Person (SAP) authorisation
Knowledge of HV & LV systems
Experience in high voltage environments
Contractor management
Safety, health, environment & quality oversight
Interpersonal and communication skills
Emergency response capability
Health and Safety legislation knowledge
Workforce management
Project management techniques
Fault investigation and repair
Risk assessment
Operational performance monitoring
Team leadership

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Operations Engineer role. Highlight your experience with HVDC systems and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the energy transition and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Let’s see your personality come through!

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you’ve improved operational performance or led successful projects. We love seeing results and impact!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s straightforward, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application easily. Let’s get your journey started!

How to prepare for a job interview at National Grid

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of HVDC systems and the specific technologies used at National Grid. Be ready to discuss your experience with high voltage environments and how you've handled maintenance and fault investigations in the past.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Senior Operations Engineer, you'll be leading teams and managing contractors. Prepare examples of how you've successfully supervised teams, ensured safety compliance, and delivered projects on time. Highlight your ability to mentor others and create a positive safety culture.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations, especially around emergency responses or conflicting priorities. Think through your decision-making process and be ready to explain how you would handle these scenarios while maintaining safety and efficiency.

✨Communicate Clearly

Strong interpersonal skills are key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be prepared to discuss how you've influenced teams and communicated complex information effectively, especially in high-pressure situations.

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