At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative energy projects, managing budgets and schedules from concept to energisation.
- Company: Join Octopus Energy, a top-rated company known for its unique culture and rapid growth.
- Benefits: Flexible salary, hybrid work, and perks that matter to you.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of clean energy solutions and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Master’s in electrical engineering and 5+ years in energy or infrastructure projects.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
Octopus is building a new business line delivering low-cost, reliable, clean energy and faster speed-to-power for data centres and large industrials. We're looking for a Project Electrical Engineer to be the electrical owner on first-of-a-kind power projects - private wire, behind-the-meter generation and storage, MV and HV grid connections.
This is a technical role with a unique expanded scope to broader infrastructure project management. Early on you are the project manager: you hold the programme, the development budget and the external parties, from concept design through connection offer to design freeze and financial close. From there you stay on as the electrical owner through construction, commissioning and energisation, with a delivery team around you.
What you'll do
- Own the programme and the development budget. Schedule from early concept to design freeze - siting, connection application, planning, consents, procurement, long-lead items - worked back from the customer's energisation date.
- Appoint and manage consultants, ICPs and study providers. Surface risk early and clearly communicate them to the stakeholders.
- Own the electrical concept through to sign-off. Single-line diagrams, general arrangements, switchgear and plant layouts, cable routes, metering and comms architecture. Direct and interrogate the studies (load flow, short-circuit, protection coordination, arc flash, earthing, power quality). Chair design reviews and stage gates, and take options to the Project Lead and customer with a recommendation.
- Lead the grid interface. DNO, TO and NESO - applications and offers, technical requirements, securities and milestones, contestable and non-contestable scope, ICP/IDNO coordination, MPAN registration.
- Budget ownership through completion. Credible capex inputs for the project model across plant, substation, civils and enabling works, with value engineering and optioneering. Then FAT/SAT witnessing, commissioning plans and sequences of operation, energisation and handover.
- Take on what you haven't done before. First-of-a-kind means no precedent, no standard design and no colleague who's done it. Get to a working understanding of an unfamiliar technology or scope fast, and deliver it.
What you'll have
- Master’s degree, or equivalent, in electrical or power systems engineering. CEng welcome, not essential.
- 5+ years delivering energy or infrastructure projects, with a strong grounding in MV and HV systems.
- Real infrastructure experience - substations, networks, industrial plant, data centres, utilities, water or transport. We care that you've dealt with ground conditions, easements, consents, tie-ins to live assets and construction sequencing. This is not a grid-only role.
- You've personally held a programme and a budget on a development or pre-construction project.
- A GB/European grid connection taken from connection offer to grid code compliance and energisation, with working knowledge of the Grid Code, CUSC, SQSS, G99/G100, ENA engineering recommendations and BS 7671.
- Able to coordinate a multi-discipline design where you're not the expert in every discipline - and to spot a weak answer from a civil or mechanical engineer.
- Comfortable as the single point of accountability with an incomplete picture, holding external parties accountable without formal authority.
- Full UK driving licence and willing to travel to site.
It would be great if you have...
- BESS, private wire, microgrid or behind-the-meter generation; data centre or mission-critical power (MV/LV distribution, UPS, generators, redundancy topologies, commissioning levels); study tools (ETAP, PowerFactory, IPSA, PSS/E, PSCAD) or Python; IEC 61850, Modbus, DNP3, SCADA and metering data flows; NEC or FIDIC contract and change management.
- Project management credentials (APM, PRINCE2, MS Project, Primavera) - though we care far more about what you've delivered.
Why else you'll love it here
- Wondering what the salary for this role is? Just ask us! On a call with one of our recruiters it's something we always cover as we genuinely want to match your experience with the correct salary.
- Octopus Energy Group is a unique culture. An organisation where people learn, decide, and build quicker. Where people work with autonomy, alongside a wide range of amazing co-owners, on projects that break new ground.
- We want your hard work to be rewarded with perks you actually care about!
- We were named the UK's top company to work for in 2025, and we ranked in the top ten in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026.
- Our Group CEO, Greg has recorded a podcast about our culture and how we empower our people.
- We’ve also been placed in the top 10 companies for senior leadership.
If this sounds like you then we'd love to hear from you, tell us what you care about, why Octopus feels right and most importantly, bring us the real you!
Applying for jobs can be a bit scary so have a nose through some of our tips first. Our process usually takes up to 4 weeks, but we’ll always do our best to flex around what works for you. Along the way, you’ll chat with our recruitment team and your Recruiter will help you throughout different stages.
Got any burning questions before then? Drop us a message at (email protected) and we’d love to help!
Are you ready for a career with us? We want to ensure you have all the tools and environment you need to unleash your potential. Need any specific accommodations? Whether you require specific accommodations or have a unique preference, let us know, and we'll do what we can to customise your interview process for comfort and maximum magic!
Studies have shown that some groups of people, like women, are less likely to apply to a role unless they meet 100% of the job requirements. Whoever you are, if you like one of our jobs, we encourage you to apply as you might just be the candidate we hire.
Across Octopus, we're looking for genuinely decent people who are honest and empathetic. Our people are our strongest asset and the unique skills and perspectives people bring to the team are the driving force of our success.
As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute. Our commitment is to provide equal opportunities, an inclusive work environment, and fairness for everyone.
Where necessary, we sometimes use AI tools to help with parts of our hiring process, like reviewing applications or assessing responses. We’re lucky to receive a huge amount of interest, so these tools help our recruiters manage that volume, not replace them. Ultimately, every hiring decision (for example, whether to progress your application or not) is always made by a real person in our Talent team.
If you’d like to know more about how we use your data, you can reach out to us via email at (email protected). We’re happy to help!
Project Engineer (Data Centres & Industrials) in London employer: Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle sector. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, competitive remuneration, and a commitment to sustainability, making it a rewarding place to contribute to meaningful projects while enjoying a supportive team environment in the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Engineer (Data Centres & Industrials) in London
✨Get Hands-On with Temporary Projects
Temporary roles are all about flexibility and quick results. Look for short-term engineering projects or gigs that local companies might need help with. You can find these on job boards like Indeed or even niche platforms like PeoplePerHour. Don't be shy to reach out directly to firms—sometimes they have needs that aren't posted yet!
✨Tap into Engineering Meetups
Networking is key in engineering, especially for temporary positions. Check out local engineering meetups or hackathons relevant to your interests. Engaging with peers can lead to leads on temporary roles. Plus, it’s a sweet way to showcase your skills and passion in person—who knows who might be hiring at one of these events?
✨Leverage Your Connections
Let your friends and family know you're on the hunt for a temporary engineering role. Often, personal recommendations can get you in the door faster than any application. Share your goals and what you’re looking for through social media or casual conversations; you’d be surprised how many people might have the right connections!
✨Stay Sharp with Online Courses
While you're searching, keep those skills fresh! Take on some online courses related to your engineering field. Platforms like Coursera or edX can help you stay current and even get some certifications under your belt. This shows potential employers at Octopus Energy that you’re committed to growth, making you a more appealing candidate for temporary roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Engineer (Data Centres & Industrials) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Versatile Engineering Skills:For a temporary engineering role like this one at Octopus Energy, make sure to showcase a broad range of your engineering skills. Talk about different projects you’ve undertaken, focusing on your problem-solving ability and adaptability—key traits for temporary positions that depend on quick integration into teams.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a temporary role, clarity is essential. In your cover letter, be upfront about your availability and how soon you can start. Employers like Octopus Energy want to know that you can hit the ground running, so don’t shy away from mentioning your flexibility!
Tailor Your CV to Showcase Relevant Experience:Make sure your CV is tailored to reflect the specific engineering projects relevant to the job. For instance, if you’ve worked on temporary contracts before or have engaged in diverse engineering processes, highlight these experiences to show how well-rounded you are.
Include References from Past Employers:Temporary positions often require trust and reliability. Adding references from previous employers can significantly boost your application. It shows that you have a strong work ethic and can adapt quickly, which is exactly what Octopus Energy will be looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Octopus Energy
✨Get to Grips with Your Technical Skills
Engineering roles often involve assessing your technical expertise, so be prepared to delve into your core skills. Brush up on relevant software and tools you’ve used before, as well as any engineering principles that relate to the position at Octopus Energy. We want you to showcase your hands-on experience and problem-solving capabilities – it could be the difference between you and another candidate!
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some practical scenarios during the interview. Whether it's a design challenge or a troubleshooting test, Octopus Energy might want to see how you approach real-world engineering problems. Think of specific examples from your past work where you had to think on your feet and be ready to walk your interviewers through your thought process.
✨Show Your Adaptability in Temporary Roles
Since this is a temporary position, it’s key to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to hit the ground running. Make sure to convey your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly to the team and the specific projects at Octopus Energy. We all know that temporary roles can be a bit of a whirlwind, so emphasise your quick learning skills and your approach to managing change.
✨Highlight Relevant Portfolio Projects
If you've worked on engineering projects that align with the role at Octopus Energy, make sure to bring them up! A portfolio can be a great way to illustrate your engineering prowess. Discuss the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved – this will give the interviewers a tangible idea of what you bring to the table.
