Expression of Interest - Great Grid Partnership

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We deliver transmission and distribution design projects globally. In the UK, we provide services from concept through to detailed design for a wide range of clients, including established asset owners and new market entrants such as interconnectors and private wire schemes. As an example, Arup recently formed a joint venture with AECOM to serve as the design and consenting service partner for the UK National Grid’s Great Grid Partnership. Over a period of 8–12 years, we will help deliver key aspects of the transmission grid transformation, ensuring a resilient, low-carbon energy network for the future. This is the UK’s largest grid modernisation programme, set to deliver five times more electricity infrastructure than has been built in the past three decades. These projects, part of the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework, will enhance the country’s energy backbone, supporting planned renewable developments such as wind farms in the North Sea and East Anglia coastline. By expanding and enhancing the grid, this programme will accelerate the transition to net zero, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and drive down energy costs.

This collaboration will drive a comprehensive design and construction program aimed at connecting clean energy to homes and businesses across England and Wales by 2030 and beyond.

Watch this short clip to discover how Arup are shaping a better world and how you could be a part of it!

We are seeking to receive expressions of interest from those who would like the opportunity to join our teams, promoting the growth of the Great Grid programme across any UK location. With offices across the UK, you will join teams of professionals with diverse industry knowledge.

Available Opportunities

HV Technical Associate Director

Provide strategic and authoritative technical leadership across specific electrical engineering aspects of major transmission and infrastructure projects within the UK Great Grid Partnership and other similar projects. Chartered Electrical Engineer (CEng IET) or equivalent, with extensive experience in major electricity transmission network infrastructure.

Civil Engineers - all levels (Chartered)

We are seeking applications from Civil Engineers within all sectors and career levels with transmission and distribution experience. We are particularly interested in applicants with LCDAE/CDAE.

Lead Cable Design Engineer (Chartered)

Highly experienced individual for technical leadership and strategic delivery of transmission cable system designs. This role combines deep technical expertise with leadership responsibilities, ensuring the successful design and integration of cable systems for major electricity transmission projects. You will champion best practice design, guide teams, and act as the key technical authority for complex cable projects.

Lead Protection & Control Substation Engineer (Chartered)

Technical leadership and strategic delivery of transmission substation protection and control systems. In this role, you will deliver excellence in design, act as lead interface with multidisciplinary design teams and ensure the successful execution of complex projects that underpin the reliability and resilience of the power network.

Principal Designer

Act as Principal Designer Representative for Projects on the Great Grid Upgrade, proactively driving safe by design principles and coordinating multidisciplinary teams to embed effective risk management throughout design development. Ensure all duty holders meet their CDM obligations, facilitates collaboration with the Principal Contractor, and supports the safe delivery of the project. Ideal candidates would have experience undertaking the role in energy, high voltage, or linear infrastructure projects (but other suitable candidates will be considered).

Overhead Line Design Engineers - all levels (Chartered or working towards)

We are seeking Engineering OHL candidates with experience within transmission and distribution; typically including but not limited to working knowledge of routing and tower for design line work coupled with a broader CAD skillset. We are open to candidates based anywhere in the UK.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

You will have the opportunity do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.