National Grid – UAS Operations Lead

You’ll take a leading role in keeping the lights on. Working on a broad range of technical issues to maintain the high voltage electricity network in England and Wales, that includes c.4,500 miles of overhead line, about 900 miles of underground cable and more than 300 substations.

About the role

As our UAS Operations Lead, you’ll be the go-to person and point of contact (POC) for all stakeholders across the sector regarding the use of UAV’s and the data gathered there from. You will feed data and knowledge into asset management regulatory plans, power projects and resolving complex technical issues. Although you’ll sometimes be working alone, you will be managing the UAS Operations Team. You’ll be working with a diverse range of colleagues and will have to be a people person. We want engineers who are actively looking to share their knowledge with other team members and help them develop.

Working at the heart of Electricity Transmission (ET) the Overhead Line Condition Monitoring team are experts on HV OHL’s, we provide technical expertise to operations teams in England and Wales on faults and defects, we investigate asset failures and risk of equipment to mitigate any danger to colleagues on site, members of the public and keeping the network running.

Essentially, you are an expert at a national level and can reliably provide National Grid’s views on technical issues externally. You are able to contribute at an international level too, for example in forums and working groups, for which there will be the opportunity for occasional overseas travel.

Technical knowledge is absolutely key. You’ll be given the most interesting, complex problems, so you must be able to think differently. However, we want you to be a doer as well as a thinker, and willing to share your knowledge in a way that makes a practical, tangible difference.

People from across the business will come to you for opinions on equipment and how things operate and come together. You will have a good, balanced view of ongoing work and risks across the network, and how we should be managing them.

You have a deep understanding of UAS technology and the ability to develop new technical solutions, for example new sensor specifications, which will aid the gathering of specific information to support an asset’s life extension. You will understand how these changes impact the design and operation of equipment, as you try to improve it and make it more suitable for purpose.

You’ll keep abreast of new knowledge and innovation. You’ll know what kind of technology is out there and how we might use it. You’ll speak to suppliers, manufacturers and developers of new technology so we understand how it works when it comes onto the system, and how it can safely interact with our existing UAS asset fleet.

You’ll provide effective, immediate solutions to emergency calls.

You will have experience of UAS Operations where you’ve been in charge of numerous pilots, undertaking analysis of competence, and recommending performance improvements to specifications in accordance with National Grid processes and procedures that deliver the business’ regulatory, stakeholder and customer commitments.

A typical day in this role

Attending site-based meetings to support on technical issues, engaging with groups of engineers to reach consensus on risk analysis and solution development. Project managing to understand the programme of works and risks.

Creation and refinement of policies, procedures, technical specifications, work specifications, internal standards and technical guidance. Working with the Primary Remote pilot to assure the Lead Condition Monitoring Engineer and the wider business, that the UAS Operations Team are continually working safely.

Hybrid and flexible working

About you

• Minimum HNC or equivalent in a STEM discipline, preferably electrical or mechanical engineering.
• Demonstrable knowledge of UAS equipment.
• Proven track record of managing UAS Operations.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong experience of managing multiple stakeholders / Projects.
• Regulatory & Energy Industry Understanding.

What you’ll get

• A competitive salary of £49,310 to £62,399 + Benefits Package + Training and Development.
• 25 days annual leave (increasing to 26 after two years’ service) plus 8 statutory days.
• The option to buy additional or sell holiday days.
• Generous contributory pension scheme – we will double-match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. Overall 18%.
• Financial support to help cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, course fees, books, exam fees and time off for study leave – relevant to your role.
• Access to flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.
• Family care benefits including a back-up care service for when your usual care arrangements fall through (six paid days each year as standard with the option to purchase further days).
• Access to apps which support health, fitness and wellbeing.

More Information

National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) own the electricity transmission network in England and Wales. Every time you plug in your phone or flick a light switch, we’ve played a part. Not only are we responsible for delivering energy to millions of homes and businesses, we are also driving the move to cleaner energy, and the Government’s target of net zero emissions by 2050.

National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) is at the heart of energy in the UK. The electricity we provide gets the nation to work, powers schools and brings energy to life. Our energy network connects the nation, so it’s essential that it’s continually evolving, advancing, and improving.

In NGET we are passionate about both operating our network safely and providing highly reliable quality of supply for our customers. At the heart of achieving these outcomes is the effective control and operation of our network.

To find out more about us, please follow the link below:

https://www.nationalgrid.com/electricity-transmission

The closing date for applications is 16/08/24

#LI-TO1

Apply here