Lead HV Engineer

Be the high voltage authority on six German storage projects, with the first breaking ground within weeks.

The Company

My client is an established international investor, developer and operator of renewable energy and battery storage projects, with more than 15 years of experience across the full project lifecycle, from site selection and development through technical design and construction to long-term operation.

The German business is a key pillar of the group’s growth, with a multi-GWh battery storage portfolio that continues to expand. They are now building a scalable technical competence centre in Hamburg and are also exploring PV, hybrid, hydrogen and other flexible infrastructure projects.

This is a rare chance to join early and shape the engineering function from the ground up.

The Role

As Lead HV Engineer, you will own the high-voltage engineering and commissioning of the German portfolio, making sure every installation is robust, compliant, grid-connection-ready and safely energised. You will be both the technical authority and the person who builds the team around it.

What you’ll be doing

• Taking overall technical responsibility for HV engineering and commissioning, from early development through to energisation, acceptance and handover to operations.
• Developing, reviewing and approving HV concepts, single-line diagrams, protection and control concepts, and specifications for substations, transformers, switchgear and cable systems.
• Ensuring compliance with grid connection requirements, permits and standards (VDE-AR-N 4120/4130, VDE 0101, VDE ).
• Leading technical coordination with grid operators on connection concepts, protection coordination, switching authorisation and acceptance tests, and supporting conformity verification.
• Owning the commissioning concept for each project (FAT, SAT, protection testing, switching programmes, energisation plans) and leading commissioning on site.
• Taking responsibility for HSE in the HV environment, including switching authorisations and safety concepts.
• Building and developing the engineering team alongside the Managing Director
• Setting uniform HV standards, processes and templates, and feeding lessons learned back into the portfolio.
• Managing consultancies, EPC partners, suppliers and authorities, and working closely with Development, Legal and Finance.
• Flagging risks early, particularly around grid connection and energisation dates.
• Supporting international projects with engineering input, technical due diligence and supplier assessment.

What you’ll bring

• A degree in electrical engineering, power engineering or similar.
• Ideally 10+ years in HV engineering and commissioning of HV/MV installations, substations or BESS, including several HV energisations you were responsible for.
• Strong knowledge of VDE-AR-N 4110/4120/4130 and HV primary and secondary systems (transformers, switchgear, protection, earthing).
• Experience working with grid operators, certification bodies, EPCs and suppliers.
• Switching authorisation or VEFK qualification.
• Proven experience building and leading technical teams, ideally in a growth-stage or international business.
• Confidence at management and board level, with a structured, hands-on approach.
• Fluent German and English, and willingness to travel and spend time on site.