Head of Technical Assurance (HVDC & FACTS)
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About the role
Base Location:We're proud to offer a Flexible First approach to work, and this role is no exception. We will, however need your base "office" location to be one of our SSEN offices or depots around Scotland. Office Locations: Aberdeen, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth
Salary:£99,000 - £148,400 + car /car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.
Working Pattern:Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available
The Head of Technical Assurance guides a team of specialised engineering staff to provide technical assurance to all Transmission functions including Project Development, Project Delivery, Asset Management, and Operations, and whose team create, monitor and amend the technical specifications for the plant, apparatus and equipment employed on the system focussed specifically on HVDC and FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission System) plant and equipment. This ensures compliance with all SSE, national and international standards and specifications and ensures best engineering practice is followed to reduce technical and safety risks for the network and stakeholders while ensuring solutions are value for money. This is a key role in ensuring the existing c£5b Transmission network (growing to >£12b by 2030) can operate safely and reliably and ensuring that the annual £600m+ construction programme has the necessary technical specifications available for design and construction purposes. The team also support design authority review sign off, ensuring that projects meet SSEN Transmission's technical requirements.
The Head of Technical Assurance and direct team are responsible for the oversight of technical quality across the asset lifecycle including factory and site acceptance and contractor technical quality performance during project delivery, commissioning, and operation.
The key responsibilities of the Head of Technical Assurance are:
- Technical Authority for Transmission as defined in the SSE Large Capital Projects process, ensuring all plant and equipment used on the c£5b transmission network (>£12b by 2030) is assessed as fit for purpose against relevant standards.
- Align all engineering teams (operations, projects, protection, SCADA, etc) on expectations on technical standards and quality. Assure technical quality using "Define/Assure/Sustain" by developing an internal technical quality and supply chain quality management system . Introduce internal customer quality management (NCR) system to incl. fault logging, root cause analysis, risk management and control introducing preventative measures.
- Responsible for a team of Subject Matter Experts who provide technical guidance and direction to Transmission teams where required, including Project Engineering, HVDC Engineering, Asset Management, Protection and Control Teams, Operations and Maintenance Teams and project contractors.
- Working with HR establish the competency requirements for engineering and technical competency within the team, to ensure staff meet minimum requirements, are developed to meet business and individual needs and that there are suitable pipelines developed for future business growth.
- Responsible for review, assessment and technical approval of new technologies for use on the DC network and for FACTS devices. Ensure that where technology changes are proposed that they are fully evaluated and risks and opportunities understood. Work with internal and external resource to evaluate innovations, assessing compliance with required standards and assessing suitability for the transmission network. This involves considerable external interface with OEMs (eg Hitachi, Siemens, GE, etc), with standards bodies (such as CIGRE, ISO, BSi, etc), with other TOs and DNOs, both nationally and internationally and with academic partners such as Manchester and Strathclyde universities.
What do I need?
To be considered for this role, we would love you to have:
- A degree in an engineering subject, preferably electrical engineering.
- A Chartered engineer or Fellow of (or working towards) an engineering institution - normally IET.
- Extensive experience in engineering roles related to power system networks, paired with extensive operational knowledge, possibly as a Senior Authorised Person and experience in large capital project planning and delivery possibly as a project engineer or manager.
- Ability to collaborate with key technical stakeholders including academia, OEMs and project partners and actively participate in, challenge, and approve technical designs and proposals.
- Line Manager experience with a history of developing engineering and technical staff especially with experience of working with external bodies and institutions.
About our Business
SSEN Transmission owns and operates the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland, transporting energy from where it is generated to where it is needed, providing a safe and reliable supply of electricity to the communities it serves. Home to some of the UK's greatest resources of renewable energy, SSEN Transmission is playing a critical role in the transition to a low carbon future, developing, building, maintaining and operating a network for net zero.
What's in it for you?
We offer an excellent package with 34 days annual leave entitlement. Enhanced maternity/paternity leave, discounted healthcare, salary sacrifice car leasing and much more, view our full benefits package on our careers site.
As an equal opportunity employer we encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and commit to providing any reasonable adjustments you need during the application, assessment and upon joining SSE. Search for ' Inclusion & Diversity at SSE ' to find out more.
What happens now?
All applications should be made online, and I'll be back in touch after the vacancy closing date to let you know the outcome.
If you would like to discuss any working flexibly requirements or adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment and selection process, please contact gemma.bell@sse.com / 01738 341043.
Before commencing your role with SSE, you'll need to complete our pre-employment screening process. This will consist of a criminality and credit check.
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