Lead Hardware & Electrical Design Engineer

With a focus on operational technology and digital transformation, Capula, part of the EDF Group, has been a leader in advanced system integration for decades; optimising efficiency & delivering performance on a massive scale. But with continuous innovation at the heart of our business, we’ve always got our sights set on the future. We work in some of the most highly regulated and challenging industrial environments, and have delivered critical projects across energy, water, renewables and manufacturing.

At Capula, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where diversity is celebrated in all its forms. We actively encourage applications from individuals of minority backgrounds, underrepresented groups, and those with disabilities. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives.

Summary of Role:

Capula is seeking a Lead Hardware & Electrical Design Engineer to join our Energy business, supporting major projects across the UK Energy Generation, Storage, and Transmission & Distribution (T&D) sectors.

You will take full technical ownership of secondary systems engineering, hardware solutions, and LV electrical design, leading activities from early concept development through detailed design, client engagement, and site implementation. As a recognised technical authority, you will ensure high‑quality, compliant solutions that meet client and regulatory expectations, while providing clear technical direction to project teams and stakeholders.

The role will see you lead a broad range of secondary engineering activities, associated with Protection & Control, Automation & Control Systems, Interface Engineering, Network & Telecommunications, and LV auxiliary systems.

This role requires deep expertise in hardware solutions, secondary systems, and LV electrical design, supported by strong leadership and communication skills. You will play a key role in delivering safety‑critical infrastructure projects, developing engineering capability within the team, and contributing to the modernisation and resilience of the UK power network.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Governance

• Act as the technical authority for hardware solutions, secondary systems, and LV electrical design engineering within assigned projects.
• Lead the hardware solutions, secondary systems, and LV electrical design scope across the full project lifecycle, from tender support through detailed design and delivery.
• Chair and lead engineering design reviews, workshops, and technical assurance activities.
• Support client approval processes by contributing to technical justifications, compliance evidence, and solution qualification.

Design & Engineering

• Lead the development, review & approval of Protection & Control panels, LV auxiliary systems, cabling systems, including:
  • Single Line Diagrams (SLDs), Key Line Diagrams (KLDs), and concept designs
  • Schematics diagrams, wiring diagrams, General Arrangement drawings,
  • Electrical Cable routing, termination schedules, and associated engineering deliverables
  • Electrical calculations and studies supporting system design
  • Communications Network Cable routing, termination schedules, and associated engineering deliverables
  • Technical documentation such as Functional Design Specifications, Design Intent Documents, and compliance matrices and supporting reports.
• Lead the development, review and oversight in relation to the following:
  • Hardware test strategy & Quality documentation including installation & test plan and documentation to support solution delivery both for Factory and Site Testing.
  • I/O Mapping between the Scheme and the Control / Automation solution
  • Interface of LV Power including Battery Systems, LVAC Systems and various systems and plant items.
  • Interface of Protection & Control and Automation solutions to Plant items including Circuit Breakers, CT’s, VT’s, Disconnectors, Transformers, Etc.
• Identify and select appropriate technologies to meet functional, operational, and regulatory requirements working with range of industry standard protection & control and networking devices from vendors like GE, Siemens, SEL, etc
• Produce & review Bill of Materials ensuring the correct materials are in place to support manufacture and site deployment of systems.
• Apply IEC 61850, substation communications, and cyber security considerations within design solutions.
• Ensure all designs comply with ENA, BS, IEC standards, and specific DNO/National Grid standards (e.g., TP-series).

Project Delivery & Support

• Take responsibility for the effective technical delivery of hardware solutions, secondary systems, and LV electrical design engineering scope to support project delivery to agreed time, cost, quality, and safety targets.
• Support Project Managers with technical input relating to change management, programme impacts, cost, and risk.
• Working with the project manager proactively identify and manage technical and delivery risks, ensuring mitigation measures are implemented.

Site & Stakeholder Engagement

• Undertake site visits and non‑intrusive surveys to support design development, tendering, and delivery activities.
• Provide technical support during installation, testing, and commissioning phases as required.
• Maintain effective working relationships with clients, suppliers, and internal stakeholders through clear and professional communication.

Essential Requirements

Technical Expertise

• Extensive experience in the Design and preparation of Engineering drawings using design packages such as E-Plan, AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent.
• Significant experience delivering hardware, secondary systems, and LV design in high‑voltage transmission substations (132kV, 275kV, 400kV).
• Proven capability developing and approving:
  • Protection & Control panel designs for transmission assets (line protection, transformer protection, busbar schemes, reactor/bay control, intertripping).
  • LVAC, DC systems, battery sizing, charging regimes, UPS arrangements.
  • Control & instrumentation wiring, multicore schedules, marshalling, cabinet designs.
  • SLDs, KLDs, HV bay diagrams, and protection schemes aligned with TSO philosophies.
• Strong understanding of transmission‑level plant interfaces including:
  • Circuit breakers, CTs, VTs/CVTs, disconnectors, earth switches, transformer auxiliaries.
  • Tele‑protection systems, inter‑substation communications, and intertrip schemes.

Technical Leadership & Authority

• Demonstrable experience acting as a technical lead, discipline lead, or design authority on complex engineering projects.
• Ability to take full technical ownership of design scope and provide clear technical direction to others.
• Experience leading design reviews and technical assurance activities.
• Confidence to challenge and defend engineering decisions with clients and stakeholders.

Design, Delivery & Communication

• Proven ability to produce, review, and technically approve designs and documentation.
• Working knowledge of IEC 61850 and its practical application within substation environments.
• Understanding of substation communications and cyber security implications for Protection & Control and Automation systems.
• Experience working across the full project lifecycle from concept through to implementation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience engaging directly with clients and project teams.

Qualifications & Practical Requirements

• Degree‑qualified (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline, or significant relevant industry experience.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project and client sites.

Desirable Requirements

• Extensive experience delivering Protection & Control engineering solutions within Transmission and/or Distribution sector within the UK Market
• Site Installation and Commissioning experience of control systems.
• Experience of Motor Control Centres – Specification, procurement, installation etc.
• Good understanding of BS7671 IEE 18th Edition Wiring Regs
• Awareness of /understanding of DSEAR Regulations and Hazardous area applications.
• Awareness of /understanding of Functional Safety (IEC 61508/61511)
• Knowledge of modern SCADA/EMS/DMS systems and substation automation system architectures.
• Familiarity with industrial cyber security controls (firewalls, VLANs, access control, NMS tools) in operational technology environments.
• Previous involvement in system integration and end‑to‑end testing, including performing witness testing with clients.
• Experience of OT cyber security standards or frameworks (e.g. IEC 62443, NIS Regulations).
• Experience supporting, mentoring, or developing engineers.
• Working towards or holding professional engineering status (IEng or CEng).
• Experience contributing technical input to bids and tenders.

Personal Qualities:

• Confident, self‑motivated, and capable of leading engineering teams while working both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage priorities, work under pressure, and meet critical deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to engage effectively with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Flexible and adaptable, able to respond positively to changing project requirements and new technologies.
• Proactive problem-solver with strong analytical thinking and a commitment to delivering high-quality, detail‑focused engineering outputs.
• Demonstrates professional integrity and a disciplined approach suitable for safety‑critical and highly regulated environments.
• Takes ownership of project outcomes, driving tasks forward and supporting the wider team to achieve success.

In return Capula offers the following benefits to permanent employees

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Flexible working
• Pension
• Life assurance policy
• Private health care
• Lifestyle screening
• Salary sacrifice programme
• Mental health assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Green car scheme
• Support in achieving professional engineer status (IEng, CEng) if required and professional memberships fees covered

NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES: We are currently working with only our preferred suppliers.

To express an interest in this position, simply apply below or you can e-mail hr@capula.com with a cover letter and CV, quoting the job reference number.