Lead HV Substation Design Engineer – Cape Town, South Africa

Permanent | Senior Technical Role | International Project Scope
 

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead HV Substation Design Engineer to join a dynamic engineering team based in Cape Town, leading the design of high-voltage substations across South Africa and supporting European projects. This role offers a unique opportunity to work internationally, with an initial induction period based in Ireland or the UK, before returning to Cape Town to lead design delivery and build a local engineering team.

As the Lead Engineer, you will be responsible for directing the full design lifecycle of HV substations ranging from 110kV up to 400kV, including both AIS and GIS technologies. You will ensure design quality, compliance with international and European utility standards, and mentor junior engineers. The position involves remote collaboration with European stakeholders and periodic travel.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage conceptual and detailed design of high-voltage substations, covering layouts, single line diagrams, protection and control schemes, grounding systems, and cable routing
• Prepare, review, and approve detailed engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and schematics using CAD tools like AutoCAD, Revit, and Bentley Substation
• Coordinate interface design for civil and electrical works, including foundations, ducts, and trenching
• Interpret and apply European utility standards and tender requirements (e.g., National Grid UK, EirGrid, ESB Networks) for cross-border projects
• Ensure all designs comply with IEC, EN, IEEE, and other relevant international standards
• Lead design reviews, risk assessments such as HAZID and HAZOP, and electrical studies including load flow, short-circuit analysis, protection coordination, and insulation coordination using ETAP, DIgSILENT, or equivalent software
• Oversee substation automation and SCADA integration design efforts
• Maintain quality assurance and design documentation aligned with ISO 9001 standards and project requirements
• Apply health and safety by design principles throughout the design process
• Mentor junior engineers and foster the growth of local engineering capability
• Collaborate closely with multi-disciplinary teams across South Africa and Europe to deliver timely, high-quality engineering packages

Candidate Profile:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical or Power Engineering
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in HV substation design, covering 110kV to 400kV substations (both AIS and GIS)
• Demonstrated leadership or mentorship experience in technical engineering teams
• Familiarity with European utility standards and tendering processes is highly desirable
• Proficient with engineering design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, Bentley Substation, ETAP, DIgSILENT, or equivalents
• Experience working with utilities, EPC contractors, or large infrastructure projects within South Africa preferred
• Strong understanding of international standards including IEC, EN, IEEE
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and coordinate cross-border teams effectively
• Self-driven, detail-oriented, and committed to delivering quality and safety

What’s On Offer:

• Long-term permanent role with an extensive portfolio of work spanning 5+ years
• Competitive remuneration package with negotiation flexibility
• Opportunity to shape and lead a growing engineering team in Cape Town
• Initial 2-3 months induction in Ireland or the UK to align with project and company standards
• Exposure to exciting high-voltage infrastructure projects in Africa and Europe
• Supportive, innovative work environment focused on career development and technical excellence

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