Principal Engineer- T&D HV Substations (Data Centers) ROI
AECOM View all jobs
- Cork
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Lead HV substation technical discussions with data centre clients and multi-disciplinary teams -establishing scopes, defining interfaces between HV infrastructure and site power systems (e.g. MSBs, UPS, generators), and ensuring coordinated delivery.
- Direct the technical delivery of substation design for data centre grid connections and on-site HV networks, agreeing approach with engineering teams, monitoring progress, and quality-checking deliverables prior to client issue.
- Apply lifecycle expertise - from grid connection studies and concept design through FEED and detailed design - to deliver HV substation schemes that meet the power density and availability demands of data centre campuses.
- Liaise with project management teams to develop resourcing forecasts and programmes aligned to data centre construction schedules and critical path milestones.
- Demonstrate commercial awareness through proposal development, project cost monitoring, and identifying opportunities to expand HV scope on data centre frameworks.
- Build trusted relationships with data centre developers, hyperscale operators, and utility stakeholders, understanding their grid connection strategies and availability requirements.
- Champion safety in design principles across all HV substation deliverables, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and the specific operational safety requirements of energised data centre environments.
- Mentor and develop junior engineers, building team capability in HV substation design for data centre applications over the medium and long term.
- Experience in consultancy, contractor, or utility roles in the energy sector, with exposure to data centre grid connections or critical power infrastructure strongly preferred.
- Background working with Data Centre Clients , TSOs, DNOs and, or other UK/Ireland transmission utilities or developers - particularly on connection agreements relevant to large power users or data centres.
- Proven experience delivering HV infrastructure design at concept, FEED, and detailed design stages, with an understanding of the reliability and N+1/N+2 redundancy expectations of data centre operators.
- Strong understanding of electrical AC HV plant and equipment - both AIS and GIS - including switchgear, busbars, cabling, earthing, and civil interfaces.
- Working knowledge of National Grid standards, specifications, and connection requirements, including G99 and grid code compliance.
- Proposal and bid development experience, including leading multi-discipline submissions for data centre HV infrastructure or grid connection projects.
- Experience of design management and site construction review; primary plant focus is essential, with secondary systems knowledge (protection, control, SCADA) advantageous.
- Familiarity with control systems, power transformers, HV protection & control schemes; knowledge of HVDC or high-capacity interconnectors is a plus.