Description - External
Senior / Principal HV Electrical Engineer (Buildings)
Joining Arup
Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.
Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists offering a broad range of professional services. Independent in ownership and spirit, we combine innovative digital solutions and processes with our domain expertise across the built environment to make a positive difference to the world.
Arup’s electrical engineers bring specialist expertise to solutions for buildings, transport infrastructure and energy, water and waste utilities. Our comprehensive services include energy audits, demand assessment, supply and system resilience, utilities consultancy and sustainable electrical engineering design.
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity for a talented and enthusiastic Principal HV Electrical Engineer to join our team and help us shape the future direction of our projects and team. Based in London, our specialist HV team within our Property, Science and Industry group is undergoing significant growth as it continues to win technically challenging work in a multitude of sectors.
Our Current And Recent Project Portfolio Includes Technical Electrical Infrastructure System Design And Studies Across a Wide Range Of Projects Including
- locations of national strategic significance, full HV system design and audit
- international data centres incoming power and substation design
- transmission and distribution strategy for renewable microgrids
- MV network load flow and short circuit study for a major London airport.
- 33kV system design for major London buildings
Our projects need to be part of the transition to net-zero carbon and increasingly we see electrical engineering sitting at the heart of how that transition can be achieved. We are looking for people who can understand the magnitude of the challenge and rise to it, bringing with them a sense of inquisitiveness and an enthusiasm to challenge the status quo.
You will be a key part of a multidisciplinary, collaborative team of Engineers and Technicians, working flexibly from our London office. Our projects are global and will allow you to work with and succeed in an international, multi-cultural business environment with a strong focus on sustainability in all we do.
As a Principal HV Electrical Engineer, you will be responsible for the planning and delivery of the technical designs on your projects and as such will be accountable both to project leaders and the electrical discipline within the business, taking responsibility for projects from inception to completion to achieve outstanding results.
Day to day you will prepare and co-ordinate electrical reports and specifications and undertake comprehensive technical reviews.
You will design, develop and produce high quality electrical designs for your projects involving sketches, calculation plans, technical studies, drawings, reports and models. Alongside your project work, you will also provide technical guidance and mentoring to our junior engineers on the team.
The role is external facing and you will be responsible for setting up and delivering project outcomes, including financial performance and client satisfaction. We expect that you will be a capable leader of engineering project teams, achieving through delegation as well as directly.
Responsibilities Include
- Leading the design and reviewing of HV and MV electrical network topologies including single bus, double bus, ring bus, breaker-and-a-half, mesh networks, and hybrid configurations. Evaluate and optimise network configurations for reliability, maintainability, and operational flexibility.
- Delivering and managing detailed electrical power system studies including:
- Load flow and short circuit analysis;
- Harmonic and flicker assessments;
- Dynamic stability and transient analysis;
- Cable thermal analysis and sizing;
- Reactive power compensation and voltage control studies;
- Transformer and cable energisation impact assessments;
- Arc flash hazard analysis and mitigation;
- Grid connection optioneering and compliance interface studies; Interpret study results and translate them into actionable design recommendations.
- Earthing System Design: Designing AIS, GIS, and hybrid substation layouts, ensuring optimal equipment placement, accessibility, and safety; Defining and managing design interfaces across disciplines including civil, structural, architectural, control systems, permitting, and environmental teams; Ensuring compliance with local and international standards and support permitting documentation.
- Providing technical leadership and mentoring to junior engineers within the HV/MV team
- Reviewing contractor and vendor technical submissions, ensuring alignment with project requirements and standards
- Supporting procurement and specification of HV/MV equipment including transformers, switchgear, cables, and protection systems
- Liaising with clients, utilities (e.g., National Grid/UKPN/SSE etc), and regulatory bodies to ensure alignment with grid codes and project objectives
- Preparing and presenting technical reports, design documentation, and studying outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.
Is this role right for you?
We are looking for people who bring technical excellence and a passion for engineering innovation. If you thrive on solving complex challenges and want to make a real impact, this could be the perfect opportunity.
We Are Looking For People With The Following
- Qualifications & Professional Registration: Degree in Electrical Engineering (or related discipline) and professional registration with an institution such as IET or CIBSE.
- Technical Expertise: Deep domain knowledge in electrical engineering and strong understanding of British and IEC standards (BS 7671, BS 7430, BS 5839, BS 9999, BS EN 50522, IEC 60909, IEC 61936, IEC 60287).
- Software & Design Skills: Proficiency in electrical design tools such as ETAP, DigSILENT, CDEGS, Cymcap, PSCAD, and Trimble ProDesign.
- Protection & Control Systems: Strong understanding of protection principles and schemes including grading studies and coordination; unit protection (REF, SEF, BED); busbar protection; directional overcurrent (DOC); CT/VT supervision; breaker failure protection; auto-reclose schemes; and ability to perform protection calculations and relay setting coordination. Also, good knowledge of SCADA architecture, protocols (IEC 61850, Modbus, DNP3), control diagrams, network topologies, and interface requirements.
- Professional Attributes: Excellent communication skills, ability to build relationships internally and externally, commitment to continuous professional development, and enthusiasm for challenging engineering work.
Not ready to apply just yet, or have a few questions? Contact Louise Raisbeck (Louise.Raisbeck@arup.com ). Please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.
What We Offer You
At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.
Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.
We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.
We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.
Different People, Shared Values
Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.
Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference.
Discover more about life at Arup at http://www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup .
We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Louise.Raisbeck ( ( Louise.Raisbeck@arup.com ) to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.
Our Application Process
To understand what to expect next, please visit our https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/
Stay safe online - Arup will never ask for payment or your bank details as part of our recruitment process.
Recruitment Agencies - We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list
Closing Date - 30th December 2025 - We may close the role earlier than the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications, so please ensure you apply early.
