Join to apply for the Principal Engineer Overhead Lines role at SSEN Transmission.

Base Location: Flexible Scotland – we require your base 'home' location to be one of our SSEN offices or depots around Scotland (Perth, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness).

Salary: £58,100 to £87,100 + car or car allowance + performance‑related bonus + a range of benefits.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available.

The role

SSEN Transmission is looking for a Principal Engineer – Overhead Lines to join its Network Engineering Team, which oversees design and technical governance across Transmission projects. The team ensures policies, standards and designs meet safety, reliability and legal requirements.

Responsibilities

• Write, maintain and own technical specifications and guidance notes required for all overhead line equipment used on the transmission network; review existing specifications and update them based on lessons learned from projects and include development of technology.
• Review test plans and witness tests to ensure that all technology and equipment selected is adequately tested, proven and validated; review proposed suppliers to confirm their suitability to be approved for use on the transmission network.
• Provide subject‑matter expert input to design reviews carried out by the Design Authority; verify project proposals are fit for purpose and identify any scope changes required.
• Provide technical guidance and advice to the transmission business for new OHL assets, OHL replacements or fault investigations of failed plant.
• Represent SSEN Transmission at industry body events such as ENA, IEC or CIGRE working groups and attend conferences.

Qualifications

• A degree in Electrical, Mechanical or Civil Engineering or another relevant engineering discipline and Chartered Engineer status with a relevant institution or working towards chartered status.
• Demonstrable expert‑level experience in the design, specification, construction, operation and maintenance of transmission voltage overhead lines at 132 kV and above, comprising all civil, mechanical and electrical aspects.
• The ability to technically assess issues and critically assess a range of technical solutions, with an in‑depth understanding of the technical requirements for design, planning, operation and development of OHLs.
• A detailed knowledge of National Grid, British and European Standards, with the capability to write technical specifications, guidance notes and work instructions for all OHL aspects.
• Experience in manufacturing and testing of transmission voltage OHL plant and equipment would also be advantageous.

About SSE

SSE has a bold ambition – to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We’re transforming the grid to provide greener electricity for millions of people and investing over £20 billion in home‑grown energy.

SSEN Transmission owns and operates the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland, transporting energy from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable supply for the communities we serve.

Benefits

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships, wellbeing benefits such as a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service, interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. Generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Equal Opportunity

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact Andy on andrew.torrance@sse.com / 01738 275370 to discuss how we can support you. We are dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive and we especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.

How to apply

Start your online application using the Apply Now box on this page. We only accept applications made online. We will be in touch after the closing date to let you know if we are taking your application further. If you are offered a role with SSE, you will need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.