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Job added on: 17 September 2026

Primary Design Engineer – High-Voltage Substations Bilbao

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Primary Design Engineer – High-Voltage Substations Bilbao

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Location: The Netherlands | Full-time | Open to candidates currently based in Spain

Are you experienced in the electrical or electromechanical design of high-voltage substations?

As a Primary Design Engineer, you will work on the development, expansion and modernisation of the Dutch high-voltage grid. You will design the primary electrical installations of substations and coordinate your engineering with Secondary, Civil, Structural and BIM disciplines.

Our projects primarily cover installations from 50 kV up to 150 kV.

If your experience in Spain is mainly with 132 kV, 220 kV or 400 kV substations, that experience is highly relevant. The engineering principles and experience with HV equipment are directly transferable to our projects.

What will you do?

As Primary Design Engineer, you are responsible for the electromechanical/primary design of high-voltage installations.

Your responsibilities include:

  • Designing primary electrical installations for MV and HV substations;
  • Developing substation layouts and equipment arrangements;
  • Working with AIS and/or GIS substation concepts;
  • Selecting and specifying primary HV equipment;
  • Engineering equipment such as:
    • Power transformers;
    • Circuit breakers;
    • Disconnectors and earthing switches;
    • Current transformers (CT);
    • Voltage transformers (VT/CVT);
    • Busbar systems;
    • HV cables and connections;
  • Translating technical and client requirements into practical engineering solutions;
  • Preparing and reviewing technical specifications;
  • Supporting equipment selection and technical evaluation of supplier proposals;
  • Preparing engineering and construction work packages;
  • Reviewing engineering packages produced by colleagues or external engineering partners;
  • Coordinating interfaces with Civil, Structural, Secondary and BIM teams;
  • Checking designs for technical quality, safety and constructability;
  • Supporting engineering questions during procurement, construction and commissioning;
  • Contributing to both brownfield extensions and complete new-build substations.

Depending on your experience, you may also coordinate engineering activities or take technical responsibility for defined project scopes.

Relevant Spanish qualifications include:

  • Grado en Ingeniería Eléctrica;
  • Grado en Ingeniería en Tecnologías Industriales;
  • Máster Universitario en Ingeniería Industrial;
  • Grado en Ingeniería Mecánica combined with relevant electromechanical/HV experience;
  • Former Ingeniero Industrial;
  • Former Ingeniero Técnico Industrial;
  • Or a comparable university-level engineering qualification.

What do you bring?

  • Around 5 years or more of relevant engineering experience in medium- or high-voltage installations;
  • Experience with electrical or electromechanical substation design;
  • Knowledge of primary HV equipment;
  • Experience working in multidisciplinary engineering projects;
  • Ability to interpret technical requirements and convert them into detailed designs;
  • Experience preparing or reviewing technical specifications;
  • Strong technical judgement and a structured engineering approach;
  • Good working English.

Experience with the following is particularly relevant:

  • AIS and/or GIS substations;
  • 132 kV, 220 kV or 400 kV projects in Spain;
  • General Arrangement drawings and substation layouts;
  • HV equipment specifications;
  • Transformers and switchgear;
  • Technical bid evaluations;
  • AutoCAD and/or 3D/BIM engineering;
  • Utility, EPC or engineering consultancy environments.

Previous knowledge of Dutch grid operator standards is not required. You will learn the applicable Dutch requirements as part of the role.

You do not need to speak Dutch when joining.

  • €4000 – €6,000 gross per month, depending on knowledge and experience;
  • 22 vacation days + 13 ATV days: 35 days off per year;
  • Hybrid working possibilities and a home-working allowance;
  • Commuting allowance or business public-transport card;
  • A strong pension scheme;
  • Technical and personal development through professional training;
  • Long-term career opportunities within high-voltage engineering;
  • Development towards Senior Primary Engineer, Lead Engineer or Technical Specialist;
  • Bicycle leasing and fitness schemes;
  • Technically challenging projects within the Dutch energy transition;
  • An international and multidisciplinary working environment.

You will contribute to the expansion of existing high-voltage infrastructure as well as complete new-build projects.

The work can include:

  • High-voltage substations;
  • Transformer stations;
  • Medium-voltage installations;
  • Cable connections;
  • Grid expansion and reinforcement projects.

You will work alongside Primary and Secondary Engineers, BIM Modelers, Civil and Structural Engineers, Project Engineers and Project Managers.

You will work in a multidisciplinary engineering environment on projects for the Dutch energy infrastructure. The teams consist of Primary and Secondary Engineers, BIM Modelers, Civil and Structural Engineers, Lead Engineers and Project Managers.

Projects range from the extension and modernisation of existing substations to the engineering of completely new installations. Depending on the project phase, you will work on concept design, basic engineering, detailed engineering and technical support during construction.

You will be surrounded by experienced engineers and specialists, while having room to take ownership of your own engineering scope. Collaboration between disciplines is an important part of the work, as electrical, civil, structural and control systems all come together within a substation.

The working environment is professional but informal, with short communication lines and a strong focus on technical quality and practical solutions.

Hybrid working is possible, combining office-based engineering with working from home. Depending on your position and project, occasional visits to substations, project locations or clients may also be part of the role.

You will be joining an international engineering environment. Good English is important, but speaking Dutch is not required when you start.

Rubin Dellink
Project Manager

+31 (0)6 82 09 25 99
r.dellink@xelvin.nl

The application process

01. Apply

Easily apply by clicking the ‘apply-button’ below.

02. Let's meet

We’d love to get to know you and you’ll get to know us at the same time.

03. Opportunities

Together, we’ll discuss your ambitions, explore the opportunities and introduce you to our clients.

04. Offer

If it’s a match, we’ll make you an offer!

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