Principal Engineer

Principal Engineer (P&C)

Cambuslang

Salary from £69,200 to £86,500 per annum plus up to 20% annual bonus, £450pcm car allowance and family healthcare

Flexible Hybrid Working

Closing Date: 2 March 2026

Help us create a better future, quicker

SP Energy Networks (SPEN) are working to achieve 2030 transmission network targets set by the Scottish and UK Government. SPEN will invest over £5bn in transmission projects across our transmission network in central and southern Scotland by 2030. At SP Energy Networks, we know people are central to building a better future, quicker and we are seeking new talent to join our team.

A Principal Engineer within Protection and Control – Design manages a specialist team of technical engineers responsible for developing, assessing and providing detailed engineering designs for standardised solutions for implementation in the pipeline of projects, while balancing innovation and value driven engineering to reduce overall asset lifecycle costs.

Within this role, you will be a key influencer in investment planning decisions as part of the development & delivery of the Transmission capital project program.

This position has responsibility for around 5-10 direct reports.

What you’ll be doing

As a Principal Engineer, you will:

• Lead a group of professional engineers to deliver cost effective solutions while ensuring regulatory financial allowances are achieved in respect of designs.

• Line manage a team in line with HR Policy. 

• Take the lead in the production of all Discipline Design policy and Discipline Standard design solutions across SPT.

• Identify areas of engineering efficiency, create and implement a plan to incorporate these into standard engineering solutions.

• Produce guidance documents for External Contractors and Customers on how to design and build SPT assets.

• Technical support on the preparation of Frameworks contracts to aid the delivery of the masterplan of projects.

• Ensure team is suitably resourced with Engineers and changes managed for the benefit of delivering business targets. Coordination and collaboration will be required across different functions to deliver satisfactory change outcomes.

• Ensure that all HSEQ policies are embedded within all engineering solutions proposed and delivered.

• Ensure compliance across all SPT engineering with all Engineering policies, standards and procedures

• Undertake audits on Projects to ensure compliance with all SPT policies, standards and procedures.

• Support the engineering requirements of the end to end project design process through to construction completion and final record submission.

• Support the wider P&C Design team and ensure Standardisation strategy is adapted to the business needs.

• Identify, delineate and resolve Engineering problems using Engineering methodology where appropriate. Situations will arise where complex problems cannot be resolved by process and a creative and innovative approach will be required to resolve.

• Take a proactive approach to continuous improvement by proposing and implementing improvement initiatives that are not obvious to others and will address difficult situations.

• Make decisions for and/or proposals to Engineering Services with respect to defining Engineering Scope in the Pre Engineering phase of project. 

• Advise the business on, and supports the identification of, new requirements which the business has been previously unaware of.

• Take a proactive approach in integrating graduates within the Standardisation team and ensuring they become familiar with P&C policies and requirements.

What you’ll bring

• Knowledge of Electrical Industry policies, procedures and working practices.

• Knowledge of health, safety and environmental legislation.

• Expert technical knowledge in relation to Transmission and Distribution Cables and accessories. 

• Excellent written, verbal and numerical skills, capable of effectively analysing supplier technical reports and data sheets.

• Computer literacy in Protection and Control specific software packages– e.g., Digsi 4/5, Enervista etc and the Microsoft Office suite.

• Strong understanding of the energy industry, investment delivery challenges with an understanding of manufacturers and distributors in the Global Marketplace.

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate as minimum:

• Hold an HNC or Degree in an engineering discipline supported by experience in an operational, technical, or commercial engineering role.

• Strong communication skills given the requirement to interface with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including customers.

• Willingness to travel throughout the SPEN licence areas or to other locations, including to supplier manufacturing plants to steer approvals / attend FATs.

• Have acquired a balanced competence set which would meet the requirements of Chartered membership of the IET.

• Full UK driving licence.

What’s in it for you

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy a number of other benefits. With our pension scheme, we’ll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%. 

At ScottishPower, we believe it’s the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family’s wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action – our benefits are designed to help you do just that -  so that you have everything you need to take care of your world – today and tomorrow. That’s why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave

• Holiday purchase – perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave

• Share Incentive Plan and Sharesave Scheme

• Payroll giving and charity matched funding

• Technology Vouchers – save more and spread the cost of your technology purposes

• Count us in – pledge to reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change

• Electric Vehicle Schemes – to help you transition to green/clean driving

• Cycle to Work scheme and public transport season ticket loans

• Options to purchase dental insurance, private medical insurance, health cash plan and annual health assessments

• Life Assurance (4x salary)

• Access to SmartSave financial wellbeing support

• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why SP Energy Networks

SP Energy Networks is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world’s largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses through Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and in the North West of England. We operate over 4000km of cables and lines that make-up the transmission network – connecting infrastructure like wind farms into the electricity system. It’s a role that puts us right at the heart of Scotland’s ambition to be Net Zero by 2044. And we’re taking it very seriously. We’re planning to invest >£10 billion into our transmission network, directly supporting the rapid growth needed in renewable energy. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you’ll fit right in.

We are committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to [email protected].

Mobility

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country. If/when required, the Company will support the employee with the necessary Immigration requirements.

IMPORTANT 

Advert will close at 23:59 GMT the day before Job Posting End Date below