Primary Design Engineer

Saudi Services For Electro Mechanic Works Co. SSEM

About the job

Job Title: Primary Design Engineer

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Company Introduction:

We are a leading EPC contracting company in Saudi Arabia, specializing in high voltage (HV) and extra-high voltage (EHV) substations, overhead transmission lines (OHTL), power plants, water treatment plants, water pipelines, and industrial plant projects. To support the successful execution of our substation projects, we are seeking an experienced Primary Design Engineer to develop and optimize the primary design of HV/EHV substations.

Position Overview:

The Primary Design Engineer will be responsible for the design and development of primary electrical systems for substations, including HV/EHV switchyards, power transformers, busbars, grounding systems, and overall layout planning. This role requires expertise in substation design standards, layout optimization, and electrical equipment selection, ensuring compliance with SEC, IEC, IEEE, and other international standards.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Substation Primary Design & Engineering:

• Develop conceptual, preliminary, and detailed primary designs for HV/EHV substations (132kV, 220kV, 400kV, and above).
• Prepare substation general arrangements, single-line diagrams (SLDs), and layout drawings.
• Design and optimize busbar configurations, cable routing, earthing systems, and protection clearances.
• Select and specify major substation equipment, including power transformers, GIS/AIS switchgear, circuit breakers, disconnectors, and surge arresters.

2. Layout Planning & Optimization:

• Develop substation layouts and sectional views based on space constraints and functional requirements.
• Ensure adequate clearance and accessibility for operation and maintenance.
• Evaluate different AIS (Air-Insulated Switchgear) and GIS (Gas-Insulated Switchgear) configurations to determine optimal solutions.

3. Electrical System Studies & Analysis:

• Perform short-circuit analysis, load flow studies, and insulation coordination studies.
• Ensure proper selection of busbars, insulators, and supporting structures based on mechanical and electrical stress calculations.
• Conduct lightning protection and grounding system studies to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

4. Compliance & Standardization:

• Ensure all designs comply with SEC (Saudi Electricity Company), IEC, IEEE, NEC, and NESC standards.
• Maintain QA/QC procedures for design approvals and internal design reviews.
• Coordinate with regulatory authorities for design approvals and compliance assessments.

5. Coordination with Multidisciplinary Teams:

• Work closely with secondary design engineers, protection engineers, and civil teams to ensure seamless project execution.
• Coordinate with procurement teams and vendors to review technical offers for substation equipment.
• Provide support to project execution teams for design clarifications and implementation guidance.

6. Substation Equipment Selection & Specification:

• Prepare technical specifications for transformers, switchgear, and HV equipment.
• Evaluate vendor proposals and recommend cost-effective and technically feasible solutions.
• Ensure substation components are compatible with system voltage, fault levels, and environmental conditions.

7. Documentation & Reporting:

• Prepare and review technical reports, design calculations, and drawings.
• Maintain a design database for substation projects, including approved layouts and modifications.
• Provide progress reports and presentations to project managers and clients.

8. Site Support & Troubleshooting:

• Provide technical assistance during substation construction, installation, and commissioning.
• Address design-related issues encountered in the field and propose solutions.
• Conduct site visits to validate the implementation of primary designs.

Qualifications:

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Power Systems Engineering.
• Master’s degree in Power Engineering or High Voltage Systems is an advantage.
• Experience:
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in substation primary design.
• Experience with 132kV, 220kV, or 400kV substation projects is highly preferred.
• Key Skills:
• Expertise in substation layout planning, busbar design, and HV equipment selection.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, ETAP, PLS-CADD, and other electrical design software.
• Strong knowledge of SEC, IEC, IEEE, and ANSI standards.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills for optimizing substation design.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for seamless project execution.
• Preferred Certifications:
• SEC (Saudi Electricity Company) approval or certification is an advantage.
• PMP or Chartered Engineer (CEng) certification is a plus.

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