Primary Design Team Leader HVDC
GE Vernova · Stafford
Job Description Summary
Are you ready to shape the future of Europe's power infrastructure on some of the most complex energy projects on the continent?GE Vernova is seeking a Primary Design Team Leader HVDC to join our HVDC team.
This role is responsible for leading the primary design of HVDC converter stations and high-voltage (HV/EHV) substation projects for major European transmission operators and developers.
The successful candidate will lead a dedicated team of primary design engineers in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment, taking ownership of design and delivery from tender through execution on projects ranging from major offshore HVDC interconnectors to onshore transmission upgrades.
Job Description
About the Role
As the Primary Design Team Leader HVDC, you will own the end-to-end primary design of HVDC and HV/EHV substation projects, ensuring compliance with customer specifications and regulatory standards across European markets. You will coordinate with cross-functional partners, including civil, protection and control, system studies, valves, and building services teams, to deliver fully integrated designs that meet project milestones. A special focus shall be given to engineering quality, safe-by-design principles, and technical mentoring of your team.
Key Responsibilities
Design & Delivery
- Lead and deliver primary designs for HVDC converter stations and HV/EHV substations (AIS, GIS) for major European transmission projects, in accordance with applicable standards.
- Develop and review a fully integrated 3D model, general arrangement drawings, section drawings, and layout designs.
- Review and approve vendor drawings and specifications, ensuring alignment with project requirements.
- Ensure high-quality and timely delivery of engineering outputs.
- Perform and oversee primary design calculations, including busbar sizing, short circuit force analysis, SAG-tension, cantilever strength, and grounding design.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead, manage, and coordinate the primary design of HVDC projects and a team of HVDC primary design engineers, ensuring effective workload distribution, technical development, and delivery of project objectives.
- Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and coaching to team members, fostering growth within the HVDC engineering discipline.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including cross-functional teams, clients, and suppliers, to resolve technical queries and deliver fully integrated substation designs.
- Manage design budgets, track engineering time spent, and ensure on-time delivery of design outputs to procurement, manufacturing, and site erection stakeholders.
- Oversee subcontracted design work packages, coordinate with partners and key suppliers, and identify and flag scope or design changes while supporting cost optimisation across all design phases.
- Present at project design reviews, provide regular progress reporting to senior management, and contribute to lessons-learned processes to drive continuous improvement.
Compliance & Quality
- Ensure compliance with applicable European and national regulations, including health and safety standards, contract specifications, and relevant European directives.
- Ensure quality assurance, design governance, and best practices in design for safety throughout the project lifecycle.
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree in Electrical/Power/Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
- Preferred: 10+ years' experience in HVDC and/or HV substation design, with demonstrable team leadership experience.
- Strong knowledge of European TSO transmission standards and practices, and relevant distribution standards.
- Proficiency in CAD and awareness of BIM/3D tools (Revit, Navisworks) is advantageous.
- Demonstrated experience in HVDC converter station and/or substation design covering both tender and execution phases.
- Familiarity with applicable contract specifications, quality standards, safety requirements, and safe-by-design principles.
- Excellent communication and team leadership skills, with the ability to engage European clients, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.
- Knowledge of HVDC converter topologies (LCC and/or VSC/MMC) and their application in transmission systems.
- Experience with insulation coordination and main circuit equipment specification and sizing (e.g., converter transformers, reactors, capacitors, surge arresters, circuit breakers).
- Familiarity with IEC/IEEE standards applicable to HVDC systems and high-voltage equipment.
- Engineering cost estimation, resource planning, and tendering experience.
- Ability to review and analyse customer specifications, prepare technical clarifications, and manage technical queries.
About the Team
The North and South Europe Grid System Integration (GSI) team delivers a wide range of high-voltage transmission projects, including the connection of new generation and grid stability projects.
About GE Vernova Grid Solutions
Grid Solutions, a GE Vernova business, serves customers globally with over 20,000 employees. We provide equipment, systems, and services to bring power reliably and efficiently from generation to consumption, enabling the safe connection of renewable energy to the grid.
Our Culture
At GE Vernova, our mission is to electrify the world while working to decarbonize it. If you want the future of energy to be different, join us and be the difference. We are committed to your growth, offering development opportunities, mentoring, and the chance to build a career across teams and functions.
Additional Information
Relocation Assistance Provided: No