Required Qualification

Role overview

The High Voltage Substation Project Leader is embedded in the client's infrastructure projects department and manages electrical substation projects across the Belgian transmission grid (380 kV down to 36 kV). The role covers the complete project lifecycle: from initial technical definition and study through design, tendering, execution, and administrative close-out. Depending on experience, projects may be managed autonomously or with guidance from senior team members. The client provides an extensive internal training programme.

Reporting line: Reports to the infrastructure projects department management; interfaces with engineering, procurement, site teams, contractors, suppliers, and internal client departments.

Key responsibilities

Project definition and technical studies

• Participate in the definition phase of substation infrastructure projects: identify technical requirements, constraints, and objectives in collaboration with internal stakeholders

• Carry out or coordinate technical execution studies, electrical calculations, and engineering analyses relevant to high-voltage substation design

• Contribute to the design of substation projects (380, 220, 150, 70, 36 kV), ensuring compliance with technical standards, regulations, and the client's internal specifications

• Budget, planning, and procurement

• Develop, monitor, and update project budgets and schedules, taking into account required and available resources and client priorities

• Prepare tender dossiers for substation works and equipment; coordinate the procurement process from technical specification through contract award

• Evaluate bids and make technical recommendations in the procurement process

• Site execution and coordination

• Lead and coordinate the execution of substation works on site, working in close collaboration with contractors, suppliers, and internal Elia teams

• Ensure that works are carried out safely, on schedule, and in accordance with contract requirements, technical specifications, and applicable legislation

• Apply and enforce HSE standards throughout the execution phase; escalate safety issues without delay

Communication and reporting

• Report on project progress to the department management and relevant stakeholders; maintain clear and timely project documentation

• Act as the primary interface between the client's internal departments and external contractors on technical matters

• Contribute to lessons-learned reviews and continuous improvement of project management practices within the department

Administrative close-out

• Manage the administrative close-out of projects: verify final deliverables, compile as-built documentation, and obtain formal acceptance from all relevant parties

Requirements

Education

• Master's degree in electrical engineering, electromechanical engineering, or equivalent – or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through relevant professional experience

• Strong interest in technical engineering and high-voltage infrastructure

Experience

Must-have:

• Experience in electrical engineering, with demonstrated knowledge of or exposure to high-voltage substation systems

• Interest in or experience with project management: budget control, planning, stakeholder coordination

Nice-to-have:

• Experience in substation project management or site supervision on the client, EPC contractor, or engineering firm side

• Familiarity with the Belgian transmission network or similar European TSO environment

• Experience with tendering processes for HV works, equipment, or engineering services

• Knowledge of HV substation equipment and systems across multiple voltage levels

Technical skills

• High-voltage substation engineering: primary and secondary systems, protection and control, HV equipment across 36–380 kV voltage levels

• Project management: budget management, planning tools, resource allocation

• Technical documentation: design drawings, specifications, tendering dossiers, as-built deliverables

• HSE awareness in an electrical infrastructure and construction site context

Languages

• Dutch: fluent/native – mandatory (primary working language on-site and with internal teams)

• French: strong asset – highly desirable for internal coordination in bilingual Belgian environment

• English: working knowledge – useful for technical documentation and international contacts

Soft skills

• Strong sense of responsibility and reliability: able to own a project end-to-end and commit to quality outcomes

• Organised and structured: capable of managing multiple workstreams (studies, procurement, site, reporting) in parallel

• Clear communicator: assertive, client-oriented, and effective in both written reporting and stakeholder meetings

• Collaborative team player with a resourceful approach to problem-solving

Additional information

For non-EU candidates: a valid work permit authorising employment in Belgium and a valid Belgian residence permit are required. Candidates must hold these before any assignment can commence.

The client offers an extensive internal training programme; profiles at earlier career stages with strong technical foundations are encouraged to apply.