Principal Electrical Engineer – High Voltage Infrastructure
Nuclear Sector | Chester-based | High Voltage Distribution Upgrade | Long-term Contract | Outside IR35 | Competitive Rate | Active SC Clearance Required
The Opportunity
We're recruiting a Principal Electrical Engineer to support Principal Designer and Design Authority activities on a major High Voltage Electrical Distribution Upgrade project in the nuclear sector. You'll be responsible for drawing validation, system documentation and ensuring accurate technical records across critical 132kV and 11kV infrastructure.
Contract Details: Outside IR35 | Competitive rate | Chester-based | Long-term contract | Active SC clearance required (or eligibility to obtain)
This is a technically important role where your electrical expertise and attention to detail directly impact system integrity and regulatory compliance. You'll review large volumes of HV drawings, validate current system representations, migrate verified drawings into the AO document system, and support Principal Designer responsibilities. You'll work in live high-voltage substations, collaborating with project and engineering teams to ensure as-built documentation accurately reflects installed systems.
What You'll Be Doing
Principal Designer / Design Authority Support
- Support Principal Designer and Design Authority activities on major HV upgrade project
- Ensure accurate technical documentation and system records
- Maintain system integrity across 132kV and 11kV infrastructure
- Comply with CDM regulations and Principal Designer responsibilities
Drawing Validation & Documentation
- Review and assess large volumes of electrical drawings across internal document control systems
- Identify and validate most accurate and current representations of HV system installations
- Migrate verified drawings into AO document and record system
- Ensure all drawings meet documentation and drawing standards per site protocols
- Support document control processes across the project
On-site Technical Work
- Operate within live high-voltage substations (132kV and 11kV)
- Verify on-site installations against as-built documentation
- Conduct technical surveys and site validation
- Adhere to all safety procedures and access protocols
- Collaborate with project and engineering teams on system verification
System & Compliance Management
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory and project requirements
- Maintain accurate technical records and documentation
- Support system updates and technical modifications
- Manage drawing revisions and version control
- Contribute to technical assurance activities
About You
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Active SC (Security Clearance) - you must hold current clearance or be eligible to obtain. We'll support the vetting process.
- Degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
- Professionally qualified to IEng or CEng status with a relevant professional body
- Minimum 12+ years' electrical engineering experience
- Proven track record designing and implementing 132kV and 11kV substation systems
- MUST HAVE: Background working in nuclear or high-hazard environments - demonstrated experience on regulated infrastructure projects
- 'Person' status for access to Gridyards and Substations - ability to obtain or existing access credentials
- Expert-level knowledge of:
- High voltage electrical distribution systems (132kV and 11kV)
- Substation design and operation
- HV system documentation and technical records
- UK electrical standards and regulations
- Safety procedures in live high-voltage environments
- Nuclear sector or similarly regulated infrastructure
- Strong attention to detail - essential for drawing validation and documentation work
- Excellent communication skills - confident engaging with project teams and stakeholders
- CDM awareness - understanding of Principal Designer and Design Authority responsibilities
- Highly motivated - takes ownership of technical accuracy and system integrity
Desirable
- Familiarity with engineering document control systems - AO or similar platforms
- Experience with record management tools for large-scale infrastructure projects
- Proven experience as Principal Designer or Design Authority on major projects
- Track record on nuclear infrastructure or defence projects
- Experience managing large-volume drawing validation on complex projects
- Knowledge of live substation safety protocols and access procedures
The Role in Practice
You'll be based in Chester, working on a major HV distribution upgrade project. You'll spend time both in the office managing documentation and in live substations conducting verification work. You'll report to senior project leadership and collaborate with engineering, project management and site teams.
This is hands-on technical work where your expertise in HV systems, attention to detail and regulatory knowledge directly impact project delivery and system integrity. Drawing validation and documentation management might sound administrative, but on major infrastructure projects, accurate technical records are critical to operational safety, compliance and asset management.
Why This Role
You'll be working on a strategically important nuclear sector infrastructure upgrade. This is professional electrical engineering at principal level where technical accuracy and regulatory compliance are genuinely valued. You'll work with experienced teams on complex, high-hazard infrastructure where system integrity matters.
The role offers competitive rates for principal electrical engineers with proven nuclear sector experience, long-term engagement on major HV projects, and the opportunity to work on critical national infrastructure with genuine technical responsibility.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV outlining your relevant HV substation experience (132kV and 11kV systems), your background working in nuclear or high-hazard environments, your experience with drawing validation and documentation management, your professional credentials (IEng/CEng status), 'Person' status eligibility, and your active SC clearance status.
