Senior Specialist Engineer

Overview

At Ofgem, shaping the future of Great Britain’s energy networks requires deep technical expertise, and we’re seeking a Senior Specialist Engineer to play a leading role in scrutinising and influencing the strategic direction of the whole energy system.

Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We’re at the forefront of change across the energy sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting energy consumers, especially vulnerable people.

With an excellent benefits package and opportunities for flexible and hybrid working, we’re offering a permanent opportunity to operate as a senior internal engineering expert, advising across the organisation at the highest levels. You’ll provide specialist insight to Executive Committees, the Board and Directorates, helping ensure that engineering policy and regulatory decisions are grounded in robust technical judgement.

You’ll lead the technical scrutiny of strategic energy network development plans, including Regional Energy Strategic Plans and the Centralised Strategic Network Plan. Your work will help ensure that long-term network development across electricity, gas and hydrogen is coherent, optimised and aligned with statutory obligations and regulatory objectives.

Working within a multidisciplinary environment, you’ll act as a focal point for specialist engineering expertise, providing challenge and advice to senior leaders and supporting teams in delivering complex work to a high standard. This is a role that combines technical authority with organisational influence.

We’re looking for an experienced electricity networks engineer with extensive planning capabilities and a strong working knowledge of technical codes and standards. You’ll be confident operating in complex environments, advising senior stakeholders and communicating technical issues clearly to non-technical audiences. A relevant engineering degree and professional qualification, such as Chartered status or working towards it, will be essential.

In return, you’ll join a collaborative and forward-looking organisation where your expertise will directly influence nationally significant decisions. You’ll have the opportunity to shape the development of strategic network planning across the whole energy system and contribute to frameworks that support a secure, coordinated and decarbonised future.

We have a critical purpose to ensure energy networks are planned, governed and developed in a way that supports Net Zero while protecting consumers. Join us and help provide the engineering scrutiny that underpins the future of Great Britain’s energy system.

Please ensure you demonstrate clearly within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the criteria below (not more than 1250 words). In the event of receiving a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated below.

• Extensive experience in a specialist engineering role relevant to Ofgem’s work – in particular knowledge and experience in Electricity network planning. (LEAD)
• Working knowledge and experience of the technical codes and standards governing electricity networks and connections. (LEAD)
• Experience of working in a complex and diverse environment, acting as an internal expert – advising and challenging senior leaders on strategic and operational performance related matters, supporting the teams delivering the work including effective scoping of work and setting of clear responsibilities.
• Excellent communication/interpersonal skills including the ability to explain technical issues to non-technical audiences.
• Educated to degree level in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent industry experience. Expertise/capability in a related professional engineering specialism, evidenced through an appropriate professional qualification – chartered status or working towards it.
• Knowledge and experience in the development of technical codes and standards.
• Knowledge and experience in Gas or Hydrogen network planning.

We ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Maki…