HV Electrical Engineer - Primary Substations

Company Overview

GHD is a global multidisciplinary professional services firm with a workforce of more than 14,000 experts worldwide. The company provides engineering, design, and advisory solutions across diverse sectors including water, energy, resources, environment, property, buildings, and transportation.

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced HV Electrical Engineer specializing in Primary Substations to join our Construction Phase Services team in Qatar. This role involves providing project management, detailed design review, onsite construction supervision, technical evaluation, and support for testing and commissioning of high-voltage primary substation projects, alongside related building electrical services and power infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the management and supervision of HV primary substation works excluding building electrical services, ensuring rigorous technical review, site coordination, contractor supervision, and timely completion of testing, commissioning, and interface closeouts.
• Support project leadership including the Project Manager and Resident Engineer in contract administration and technical activities concerning HV substations and related power infrastructure.
• Coordinate and conduct comprehensive technical reviews of electrical designs, including submissions, drawings, calculations, method statements, and quality plans.
• Oversee and validate electrical schematics, single line diagrams, protection/control frameworks, equipment and cable layouts, earthling, lightning protection, and automation system documentation.
• Assess contractor and vendor deliverables related to GIS/AIS switchgear, transformers, shunt reactors, HV cables, relay/control panels, and automation systems.
• Review and provide input on power system engineering studies such as load flow, short circuit, insulation coordination, transient/dynamic analyses, harmonic and arc flash studies, EMC/EMI assessments, and earthing system evaluations.
• Monitor site construction progress and verify compliance with design, specifications, contract, quality standards, and safety protocols.
• Facilitate collaboration across civil, structural, mechanical, telecom, utility, vendor, and commissioning teams to ensure integrated delivery from design to handover.
• Witness and assess Factory and Site Acceptance Tests, commissioning procedures, and energization readiness documentation.
• Support protection relay testing, SCADA/SAS system integration, IEC 61850 coordination, functional testing, and utility inspection processes.
• Identify and track technical discrepancies, design gaps, and construction issues to ensure effective resolution.
• Participate actively in technical meetings, workshops, and coordination sessions with clients, contractors, vendors, and utility authorities.
• Contribute to project planning, resource allocation, delivery support, and vendor engagement based on approved proposals and project needs.
• Drive compliance with health, safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory standards throughout design review and site operations.

Essential Power System Studies

• Over-Voltage and Insulation Coordination
• Load Flow Analysis
• Dynamic Motor Starting
• Shunt Reactor Sizing
• Short Circuit Analysis
• Transient and Dynamic System Analysis
• Harmonic and Arc Flash Studies
• EMC and EMI Evaluation
• Lightning Protection Assessment
• Earthing System Studies including Step and Touch Potential
• Protection Coordination and Relay Setting Review

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent; Master's degree in Power Systems engineering preferred.
• At least 14 years of electrical engineering experience, with significant focus on HV primary substations and transmission/distribution projects.
• Hands-on experience with high-voltage substations at 132kV, 220kV, and/or 400kV levels covering GIS/AIS systems, transformers, cables, protection, control, and automation.
• Proven experience collaborating with consultants, PMC/CM teams, EPC contractors, utility authorities, and vendors during design, construction, testing, and commissioning.
• In-depth knowledge of IEC, IEEE, BS EN standards and compliance with regional utilities such as Kahramaa, SEC, DEWA, TRANSCO, TAQA, or OETC.
• Competence reviewing power system studies using software such as ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD, EMTP, CYME or similar tools.
• Familiarity with IEC 61850, substation automation, digital relays, relay coordination, RTU/SCADA systems, and communication protocols.
• Experience in Factory and Site Acceptance testing, commissioning processes, punch list management, and energization documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple contractors, coordinate multidisciplinary activities, resolve technical conflicts, and communicate clearly within PMC/CM engagements.
• Excellent analytical, leadership, communication, and reporting abilities to engage effectively with clients, contractors, service lines, and technical teams.
• Knowledge of BIM/Revit, ACC/Forma Construction, ProjectWise or other digital project management and documentation platforms is an advantage.
• Additional certifications such as PMP, Chartered Engineer status, IEC 61850 training, HV switching permit, NEBOSH/IOSH, or commissioning qualifications are beneficial.

Why Join Us?

• Collaborate in a multidisciplinary, innovative environment where your expertise influences both standardized and tailored engineering solutions.
• Become part of a team that prioritizes knowledge sharing, mentorship, and professional growth.

Our Commitment

We are dedicated to empowering our people to create meaningful impact by combining our comprehensive technical expertise with the capabilities of our clients and partners to address complex global challenges.