Power System & Product Development Engineer (London region, GB)

Opportunity Review: Power System & Product Development Engineer (Vacancy 81357)

This is an exciting and impactful opportunity for a seasoned Power System & Product Development Engineer to join the DSO directorate at UK Power Networks. Based in their London office, this permanent role places you at the forefront of the energy transition, shaping the future of a smarter, more flexible, and decarbonised electricity grid.

What's on Offer: A Career-Defining Role with Generous Rewards

The remuneration package is highly competitive, featuring a substantial base salary of £80,574.00, complemented by a 3% bonus. For those seeking a better work-life balance, the role offers a blended working model after a 6-month probationary period, allowing for 3 days in the office and 2 days remote. This flexibility is a significant advantage for individuals looking to manage their professional and personal commitments effectively.

Beyond the core compensation, UK Power Networks provides an impressive array of additional benefits designed to support your well-being and financial security. These include:

• Generous Leave: 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, and an additional 18 days of full-paid reservist leave.
• Pension: A strong Personal Pension Plan with employer contributions of 8% or 10% for employee contributions of 4% or 5% respectively.
• Financial Assistance: Schemes such as the Tenancy Loan Deposit Scheme and Season Ticket Loan can ease financial burdens.
• Tax-Efficient Benefits: Opportunities to save through Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing Schemes.
• Well-being & Discounts: Access to Occupational Health support, the "Switched On" discount scheme, a discounted gym membership, and an Employee Assistance Programme.

Key Responsibilities: Driving Innovation in Power Systems

This role is integral to building a smarter, more flexible grid. You will be instrumental in:

• Product and Project Leadership: Spearheading the development and deployment of digital tools for smart grids, flexible connections, and DERMS integration. This involves training teams and establishing robust processes for seamless business adoption.
• Technical Power System Analysis: Conducting crucial power system studies (thermal, voltage, fault level) to identify network constraints and inform strategic decisions regarding DERMS, flexibility procurement, and network investments. You'll also be responsible for developing engineering guidelines and data analysis frameworks to support active distribution networks.
• Programming and Data Science: Leveraging your Python skills to develop innovative tools and data pipelines. You'll be utilising GitHub for version control and collaboration, and building essential dashboards and APIs to meet evolving business needs.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Acting as a key liaison between the DSO, internal departments (Connections, Planning, Operations, IS), and external stakeholders including customers, IDNOs, vendors, and consultants. Representing the company in external working groups is also a vital component.
• Mentoring and Capability Development: Sharing your expertise to support junior engineers and analysts, fostering a culture of continuous learning and promoting best practices in product and software development.

Who You Are: Essential Qualifications and Attributes

To excel in this role, you will need:

• A degree in Power System Engineering or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience within the energy sector.
• A strong technical background in power system analysis and operation.
• Proven experience with DER integration, flexible connection design, and DERMS operation.
• Demonstrated success in leading digital product development and agile technical projects.
• Proficiency in data analytics, including statistical analysis.
• Practical experience in building, testing, and deploying code-based tools.
• Hands-on experience with power system modelling packages, such as Power Factory.
• Excellent project and product management skills.
• Outstanding partner management capabilities.

Desirable, but not essential, qualifications include:

• A postgraduate degree (MSc, MPhil, PhD) in power systems engineering or a quantitative discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards it.
• Familiarity with Distribution/Grid Codes and CUSC.
• Knowledge of electricity network investment and operational planning.
• Understanding of energy markets, pricing, and regulatory frameworks.
• A project management qualification (e.g., APMP, Prince2).

Furthermore, the ideal candidate will be a natural innovator, eager to learn, and adept at collaborating across teams. You should be comfortable presenting technical and commercial insights to diverse audiences and demonstrate a strong commitment to safety and environmental responsibility in all your work.

Career Path Guidance: A Transformative Opportunity

This role offers a unique chance to be at the vanguard of the electricity industry's transformation. By combining your power system expertise with product development and coding skills, you will directly influence the evolution of our energy infrastructure. The emphasis on innovation, data-driven solutions, and cross-functional collaboration provides a rich environment for professional growth. You'll gain invaluable experience in shaping the future of energy, working on cutting-edge technologies, and contributing to significant decarbonisation efforts. The opportunity to mentor junior colleagues also positions you for leadership development.

If you are a forward-thinking engineer passionate about the energy transition and looking for a role that offers both challenge and reward, this position at UK Power Networks is an exceptional choice for advancing your career.