At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of electricity by developing innovative EHV connection solutions.
- Company: Join Northern Powergrid, powering 8 million lives across the North East and Yorkshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days leave, flexi-time, and a paid volunteering day.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong mentorship and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national projects while supporting a low-carbon, digital future.
- Qualifications: HNC in Electrical Engineering or equivalent; experience in connections process preferred.
The predicted salary is between 53711 - 73451 £ per year.
Do you want to help shape the electricity network of the future? Northern Powergrid powers everyday life for 8 million people across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. We are transforming our electricity distribution network to become smarter, more flexible and more resilient - enabling decarbonisation, economic growth and the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure.
As an Engineer - Connections Business Development, you will develop technically robust and commercially sound EHV connection solutions for major customers and strategic national projects. You will play a central role in strengthening network capability and supporting the future growth of the Northern Powergrid licence areas. We are seeking driven individuals with a passion for engineering, innovation and enabling a low‑carbon, digital future.
Along with a competitive salary of between £53,711 up to £73,451, we also offer great benefits such as:
- 25 days annual leave (rising with service) + bank holidays
- Competency based structured pay progression within the specified salary range
- One paid volunteering day each year to support a local community, environmental or social initiative during work time
- Flexi-time
- Eye Care and Safety vouchers
- Loyal Service Awards
- Opportunity to work on nationally significant digital‑infrastructure and energy‑system projects.
- A collaborative, forward‑thinking engineering and commercial environment
- Support from experienced mentors and technical specialists.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the full EHV customer journey from initial enquiry to final connection, delivering a high quality, customer focused experience.
- Act as the primary technical and commercial interface for AI, data centres, industrial, renewable and public sector major connection schemes.
- Develop safe, viable and cost effective EHV engineering solutions by interpreting detailed technical, capacity, security and operability requirements.
- Integrate technical, commercial and regulatory considerations to ensure balanced engineering decisions that meet customer needs and system constraints.
- Produce accurate, compliant connection offers by applying DUoS, cost apportionment, contestable scope rules and relevant Ofgem aligned charging methodologies.
- Identify, assess and communicate commercial and technical risks arising from engineering design choices, reinforcement drivers or policy changes.
- Support delivery of nationally significant projects (AI, data centres, industrial and public sector), ensuring alignment with UK capacity, resilience and digital infrastructure priorities.
- Build strong working relationships with customers, ICPs, IDNOs, consultants, contractors, regulators, planners and internal NPg teams.
- Represent NPg in technical and commercial forums, including Government departments, local authorities and industry partners, providing clear and professional communication.
- Prepare high quality engineering reports, commercial analyses and senior level presentations to support internal decision making and customer engagement.
- Ensure strict compliance with standards and regulations, including NPg Engineering Standards, ENA TS, ESQCR, CDM Regulations and internal governance controls.
- Drive continuous improvement and support project delivery routines, including financial governance, closure activities and consistent delivery of safe, resilient and future proof connection solutions.
- First class written and spoken communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical and commercial information.
- Proven ability to produce high quality documentation suitable for commercial, regulatory and engineering environments.
- Ability to establish, build and maintain exceptional customer relationships, ensuring trust and long term engagement.
- Demonstrate strong oversight to ensure timely issue resolution and effective management of escalated complaints, supported by sound, evidence based decision making that balances technical, commercial, and operational considerations.
- Effective team working skills, collaborating confidently across multidisciplinary engineering, commercial and project delivery teams.
- Experience managing engineering deliverables and tracking key project milestones.
- Previous experience of the connections process and awareness of queue management rules (CUSC, licence conditions, CCCM etc).
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
- HNC in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
- Full UK driving licence
- Sound commercial judgement
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
- A recognised engineering qualification (HNC/HND, BEng/BSc, MEng/MSc) in Electrical, Electronic or a related Mechanical discipline, with experience across transmission or distribution networks, EHV design, or regulated‑energy environments.
- Industry exposure working with ICPs, IDNOs or major industrial/data‑centre customers, supported by strong commercial judgement and an understanding of regulation, legal considerations and contract requirements.
- Technical capability in electrical‑design engineering, supported by familiarity with power‑system modelling tools (such as IPSA, DigSILENT or PSS/E) and solid data‑analytics/visualisation skills.
- Confident customer‑relationship management, along with effective project or programme‑management experience.
Applicants are considered on the basis of their suitability for the post irrespective of sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender re‑assignment, race, age or disability, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
EHV Connections Engineer - Business Growth & Projects in Sunderland employer: Northern Powergrid
At Northern Powergrid, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our employees benefit from competitive salaries, generous leave policies, and opportunities for professional growth while contributing to nationally significant projects that shape the future of energy distribution. With a commitment to community engagement and a focus on a low-carbon future, we provide a rewarding environment for those passionate about engineering and sustainability in Sunderland or Castleford.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land EHV Connections Engineer - Business Growth & Projects in Sunderland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that EHV Connections Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Northern Powergrid and their projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for engineering and how you can contribute to their mission of a low-carbon future.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to articulate technical and commercial information clearly. Grab a friend and do some mock interviews to boost your confidence.
✨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 are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace EHV Connections Engineer - Business Growth & Projects in Sunderland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in EHV connections and business development. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your engineering prowess!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder engagement, it’s crucial to demonstrate your written communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect your ability to articulate technical and commercial information effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to mention any previous experience you have with major connection schemes or working with ICPs and IDNOs. We’re looking for candidates who can hit the ground running, so make sure to emphasise your background in the connections process.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northern Powergrid
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your electrical engineering principles, especially around EHV connections. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how you tackled technical challenges. This will show your depth of knowledge and passion for the field.
✨Understand the Business Side
Since this role involves commercial aspects, get familiar with the financial and regulatory frameworks that govern EHV connections. Be prepared to discuss how you can balance technical solutions with cost-effectiveness and compliance with Ofgem regulations.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
You'll need to communicate complex technical information clearly, so practice articulating your thoughts. Think about examples where you've successfully engaged with customers or stakeholders, and be ready to share those stories during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork and Leadership
This role requires collaboration across various teams, so highlight your experience in multidisciplinary environments. Share examples of how you've led projects or contributed to team success, especially in high-pressure situations.
