Required Qualification

Role overview

The Technical Designer Substation HV prepares engineering plans and associated documentation during the pre-study and detailed study phases for the construction of new high-voltage substation installations or the modification of existing HV infrastructure. The role sits within the Service North team, which manages HV substation infrastructure projects across northern Belgium and contributes to the client's broader grid development programme.

The designer works in close collaboration with Project Leaders and Project Engineers, providing the technical design deliverables that underpin each project's execution. For certain projects, the role interfaces with external design offices, with responsibility for follow-up and quality control of external deliverables.

Incoming designers join a structured 4-month onboarding and training programme — delivered in Dutch — covering HV substation fundamentals, the client's design tools, and project practice through progressively complex design exercises and site visits. After successful completion of this training, the service can be performed up to 3 days per week via telework.

Key responsibilities

Design studies and documentation

• Produce and deliver all plans and documents required for project execution: permit drawings (vergunningsplannen), execution plans (uitvoeringsplannen), layout plans (inplantingsplannen), equipment plans (uitrustingsplannen), structural steel plans (plannen van staalstructuren)

• Prepare and maintain associated documentation: drawing registers (plannenlijst), terminal lists (klemmenlijst), structural steel lists (staalbouwlijst)

• Integrate interface requirements from adjacent disciplines into design deliverables: power links (Powerlinks), civil works (Civil Works)

• Conduct design studies autonomously for assigned projects — from concept design through final execution documentation — in accordance with the client's norms, standards, and methodologies

• Assist the Project Engineer during feasibility studies and pre-study phases

Quality, planning, and collaboration

• Ensure design quality and consistency by using approved equipment and validated methods — all designs must comply with applicable Belgian and the client standards

• Ensure coherence of individual design outputs with those of other disciplines working on the same project

• Develop and maintain a personal study planning aligned with the team leader's project schedule — report progress to team leader and project manager

• Work in a project team in close collaboration with the Project Leader, Project Engineer, and fellow designers — fulfilling a strong supporting function

• Provide ad-hoc support to the Project Leader or Project Engineer during the construction phase when questions arise regarding issued design documentation

At more senior levels (based on experience)

• Conduct quality control reviews of design outputs produced by colleague designers

• Train and mentor new colleagues joining the team

• Participate in working groups to identify and propose process improvement opportunities

• Coordinate with and oversee external design offices: follow up deliverables, review quality, validate outputs against the client specifications

Training programme

The client Engineering provides a comprehensive 4-month structured training programme for incoming designers who are new to HV substation design. The programme is delivered entirely in Dutch and covers:

• Introduction to high-voltage substation components, layouts, and operational principles

• Training in the client's proprietary and standard design tools (CAD/3D tools, drawing management systems)

• Practical design exercises of increasing complexity — culminating in a full project walkthrough covering all phases of a representative HV substation project

• Site visits to operational HV substations and active construction sites — providing direct exposure to the physical context of the design work

Completion of the training programme is a prerequisite for performing the role on live projects and for accessing the telework arrangement. The programme is mandatory for all incoming designers regardless of prior experience level.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor (HBO / graduaat) or A2 diploma in electrical engineering, electromechanics, automation, civil engineering, or engineering technology — or equivalent by experience in an HV electrical design environment

Technical skills

Must-have:

• Basic electricity knowledge: understanding of HV electrical systems, protection principles, and switchgear — sufficient to interpret and produce HV substation drawings

• CAD 3D experience: proficiency in at least one major CAD platform (AutoCAD, MicroStation, CATIA, Revit, or equivalent) The client uses specific tools but cross-trains from standard CAD backgrounds

• MS Office proficiency

Nice-to-have:

• Prior experience in HV substation design or electrical installation design — allows faster ramp-up through the 4-month training programme

• Familiarity with Belgian or European HV standards and technical norms

• Experience interfacing with civil works or structural disciplines (multi-discipline project environments)

Languages

• Dutch: excellent – mandatory. The training programme, all design documentation, and team working language are in Dutch. Profiles without excellent Dutch cannot be accepted.

• French: asset – relevant for the Brussels bilingual context and for collaboration with French-speaking project stakeholders

• English: working knowledge – useful for technical standard references and international tool documentation

Profile

• Technically rigorous and detail-oriented: design errors in HV infrastructure have real safety and project consequences — precision is non-negotiable

• Pro-active and solution-oriented: takes initiative in identifying issues and proposing resolutions rather than waiting for direction

• Strong team player: the role is embedded in a multi-discipline project team — communication, responsiveness, and collaborative attitude are essential

• Customer-oriented: the design output directly enables Project Leaders and site teams — keeping their needs in mind drives quality

• Assertive communicator: able to flag design issues, propose alternatives, and defend design choices clearly