Lead Assurance Engineer

We’re looking for a Lead Assurance Engineer to join our Overhead Lines - Safety and Engineering.

The Lead Assurance Engineer (Overhead Lines) is responsible for planning, undertaking and coordinating SHESQ assurance activities across Overhead Line operations. The role provides assurance to the OHL SHESQ Manager and Asset Operations leadership on the effectiveness of first-line controls, compliance with statutory and internal requirements, and the application of safe systems of work. The post holder will lead a small team of Assurance Engineers, ensuring assurance activities are delivered consistently, proportionately and in line with agreed assurance frameworks. The role focuses on high-quality delivery, clear reporting, and the sharing of learning to support continuous improvement and compliance across Electricity Transmission.

This is a national role with hybrid working and regular travel to project sites, depots and offices depending on portfolio and team requirements. We’re happy to discuss any additional flexibility in working patterns or requirements that could help make this role work for you.

What You'll Do

• Develop and deliver a programme of risk-based SHESQ assurance across Overhead Line operations, aligned to agreed business priorities and assurance frameworks.
• Plan and undertake assurance activities, audits and site visits to assess compliance with standards, procedures and safe systems of work.
• Lead and coordinate a team of Assurance Engineers, providing day-to-day direction, support and coaching to ensure consistent and high-quality assurance delivery.
• Review and quality-check assurance outputs and reports produced by the team, ensuring findings are evidence-based, clear and proportionate.
• Analyse assurance findings using Power BI, Copilot/AI and other data analytics tools to identify common themes, recurring issues, trends and areas of good practice, feeding actionable insights back to the OHL SHESQ Manager and relevant stakeholders to support continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
• Escalate significant assurance findings and emerging risks through agreed governance routes, supporting management understanding and action planning.
• Monitor progress of agreed actions resulting from assurance activity and provide feedback on the effectiveness of implemented controls.
• Engage with operational teams and stakeholders to promote understanding of assurance outcomes, share learning and support improvements in compliance.
• Represent Overhead Line assurance at relevant meetings and working groups as required.

What You'll Have

• Minimum HNC in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent safety qualification.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Experience working within regulated and safety-critical operational environments.
• Sound knowledge of SHESQ assurance principles, audit practices and governance arrangements within high-risk operational environments.
• Good understanding of Overhead Line operations, associated hazards and safe systems of work.
• Knowledge of relevant health, safety and environmental legislation and its application within operational settings.
• Ability to assess compliance against standards and procedures and translate findings into clear, practical recommendations
• Experience supporting and supervising technical or assurance professionals in operational or safety-critical environments.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback, coaching and guidance to assurance staff to support consistent delivery.
• Ability to communicate assurance findings clearly to managers and operational teams.
• Confidence to work with a range of stakeholders, providing proportionate challenge where appropriate.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for everyone. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.

What You'll Get

Up to £70,000 dependent on experience.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance and competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to several flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, Job Requirement Car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

Further Information

This is a hybrid working role with travel required. The closing date for this vacancy is midnight 27 July 26, with interviews due to take place 3 August 26 We encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. National Grid’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

About us

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business

At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. Our goal is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation from diverse teams & perspectives and business need. We are committed to building a workforce so we can represent the communities we serve and have a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

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