Substation Design Engineer

Location Ireland
Discipline: Engineering
Salary: €45k - €50k
Contact name: Eimear Keeley

Contact email: eimear@sparktel.ie
Published: 2 days ago
Overview of Role

Our client is seeking a Substation Design Engineer to lead the technical delivery of high voltage substation projects (38kV to 400kV) across Ireland. The role spans tendering, detailed design, and construction support, ensuring compliance with Irish Grid Codes, EirGrid/ESB standards, and EU directives. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical and commercial awareness, along with experience in transmission and distribution substation design.

Key Responsibilities

Tendering & Proposal Support
The role involves reviewing tender documents and client specifications, including those issued by ESB Networks, and developing concept designs, single line diagrams, and material take offs to support bid submissions. It requires close collaboration with the Bid Coordinator to ensure all technical inputs for costing are accurate and aligned with client expectations. The engineer also participates in pre bid meetings, providing technical clarifications and contributing to value engineering discussions that strengthen the overall proposal.

Design & Engineering Execution

This position leads the electrical design of HV/MV substations across AIS and GIS environments, covering primary plant layout, lightning protection, earthing systems, and cable routing. It includes managing and coordinating outsourced design consultants and engineering service providers to ensure all work meets project requirements, quality standards, and agreed timelines. The engineer prepares and reviews technical specifications for major equipment such as transformers, switchgear, CTs and VTs, and carries out essential calculations for materials including busbars and cables.
They also perform system studies short circuit, load flow, CT/VT suitability, and earthing analysis while ensuring full compliance with the Irish Grid Code, IEC standards, and relevant HSA regulations.

The role requires close coordination with civil, structural, protection, control, and telecom teams to maintain seamless interface alignment throughout the project lifecycle. In addition, the engineer reviews supplier documentation, oversees FATs, and provides technical support during installation and commissioning, with only limited site attendance required.

Essential Skills & Knowledge Requirements

The ideal candidate holds a Level 8 (or higher) degree in Electrical Engineering and brings between seven and ten years of experience in substation design. Familiarity with EirGrid and ESB specifications, as well as TSO/DSO procedures, is considered a strong advantage. Chartered Engineer status is preferred, although candidates actively working toward chartership are also encouraged.

Technical Skills

Success in this role requires strong proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, ETAP or DigSILENT, EPLAN, and the Microsoft Office suite. A solid understanding of HV/MV substation design principles, equipment specifications, and system study methodologies is essential.

Soft Skills & Other Requirements

The position calls for excellent communication skills and confidence working in client facing and multidisciplinary environments. Strong organisational abilities and a structured approach to coordination are important, along with a full driver’s licence.