Senior Power Systems Consultant

Status: Permanent /Full-time preferable (requests for part-time/flexible working arrangements are welcome)

About Energy Systems Catapult

Energy Systems Catapult is an independent research and technology organisation. Our mission is to accelerate Net Zero energy innovation. Launched in 2015 by Innovate UK, we've grown into a team of over 250 professionals, bringing together expertise in engineering, systems modelling, consumer insights, policy, commercial strategy, digital innovation, and business incubation.

We support innovative companies - small and large - to test, trial, and scale new energy products and services. Our strength lies in our whole systems approach. Bespoke modelling tools, sector-leading facilities, and real-world data we have, help innovators succeed. We also support government, regulators, and system stakeholders with thought leadership, providing evidence and insights to shape policy and enable change.

Based in Birmingham, we're part of the wider Catapult Network - a group of nine world-leading technology and innovation centres, established by Innovate UK. The Catapult Network fosters collaboration between industry, government, research organisations, academia, and many others to transform great ideas into valuable products and services.

We value collaboration and believe that being together in person supports creative thinking and stronger relationships. While we offer flexible working, we ask our team to spend around 40 days a year (roughly one day a week) in our Birmingham office.

Context

Transitioning to a low-carbon energy system to meet the UK's 2050 Net Zero target is one of the most complex and urgent challenges we face. As the system becomes more reliant on variable renewables, and as electrification of transport and heating gathers pace, understanding how the power system must evolve is more important than ever.

The Power Systems Practice at the Energy Systems Catapult is a team of engineers and researchers who've chosen to move beyond traditional roles in generation, networks, or academia, to work on a wide range of high-impact, future-focused projects.

Our focus areas include, but not limited to, the role of electricity networks in achieving Net Zero, the future role of flexibility, and capacity and operability challenges of future energy systems. Our projects focus on unique innovation opportunities rather than repeatable ones, to deliver impact. We are currently looking for a Senior Power System Consultant to lead our innovation projects and thought leadership activities.

The role reports to the Practice Manager - Power Systems within the Systems Integration Team. The key responsibilities of the Senior Power System Consultant role will be to:

1. Act as Technical Lead on projects, providing power systems subject matter expertise, setting the scope of work and providing oversight and technical assurance for projects. The project areas include Transmission and distribution networks, Flexibility services, Operability, DSO transition and Smart Grid technologies.
2. Work with multi-disciplinary teams in the Catapult and external partners and stakeholders. Role within projects will vary from providing information on the power system to reviewing project deliverables and shaping innovative solutions.
3. Lead the development of innovation priorities and bid proposals for different funding opportunities including Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) and Strategic Innovation Funding (SIF).
4. Lead Catapult's thought leadership on a range of challenges to meet Net Zero such as Electricity markets and network charging, future operability challenges associated with the integration of renewable technology, the role of flexibility and storage and the future role of power systems in the Net Zero journey, including transmission, distribution and cross vector.
5. Lead the representation of power systems within Catapult modelling tools, which may involve the construction of network models, analysis of partner-provided data and/or software integration of power systems models with others.
6. Preparation of written materials including technical reports, briefing materials, discussion papers and consultation responses.

What credentials are we ideally looking for?

1. A degree in electrical engineering or a relevant discipline. A higher degree would be advantageous.
2. A strong understanding of the GB power system, with expertise in one or more areas such as system design, operation, or network planning. Proven experience gained through roles in system operation, TO/DNO planning, consultancy, or academia is highly desirable.
3. Experience in performing analysis/research using power systems tools (e.g. IPSA, DIgSILENT PowerFactory or similar). Familiarity with power systems economics and performing analysis/research using techno-economic tools (e.g. Plexos or similar) would be advantageous.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills - in particular, clear and unambiguous technical writing, and an ability to present an argument clearly and concisely.
5. Excellent presentation skills to represent Catapult in industry forums, working groups and with external stakeholders and clients.
6. Ability to work across multiple projects, work to deadlines and within multi-disciplinary teams within the Catapult and across external organisations.
7. Chartered engineer or working towards this qualification is desirable.

So, if you would like to use your Power Systems Engineering expertise to help deliver a rich variety of innovative projects and make a real meaningful impact on the Energy Transition and the UK's drive to hit Net Zero, then look no further, this may be the ideal opportunity for you.

Employee Benefits:

Annual leave 28 days plus bank holidays (FTE) + Buy/Sell holidays Buy/sell holiday - maximum 1 week based on contracted hours + Pension 2 for 1 contribution via salary sacrifice scheme up to 10% + Discretionary bonus scheme + Recognition scheme to celebrate "above and beyond"+ EV Scheme Salary sacrifice + Cycle2work Salary sacrifice + Life assurance 4 x salary + Health Cash Back Plan + Retail and gym discounts + Employee Assistance Programme 24/7 phoneline and 6 free counselling sessions + Snacks and drinks + Annual company off-site event.

Flexible working options for eligible employees = (Sabbatical/Compressed/Staggered/Flexible hours) + Working within a hybrid office attendance model with the expectation of being in the office at least 1 day a week.

Would you like to Apply?

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 22nd April 2025.

Please note that at this time we areunableto provide UK visa sponsorship.

We welcome applications from all, including those who may be returning to work, those wishing to work flexibly for any reason, and those who may need additional support.

Energy Systems Catapult undertakes innovative and exciting work that will help shape the future of energy, with this in mind we encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible, as we do reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

(Strictly No Agencies).

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion and belief, sexual orientation, or status regarding gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity.