Senior HV/LV Authorising Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 27, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 20, 2026.
Closing date: 04/12/2026
About Barhale
Who are Barhale?
Barhale is a business founded on family values, having been established by our Chairman, Dennis Curran, in 1980. We are one of the largest privately owned civil engineering and infrastructure specialists in the UK, with over 40 years of experience in providing design, civil engineering and maintenance services working across multiple sectors, including:
- Water
- Transport
- Built environment
- Energy
We operate as a tier one partner for blue chip, regulated and private clients, working as part of large frameworks, joint ventures and alliances, as well as on individual standalone projects, developing long-term relationships based on delivering to the Barhale values which have been integral to our business since their inception in 1985.
Our direct delivery model is at the core of everything we do, as we believe that people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we robustly source, train and retain all our own frontline delivery teams as well as management and support services. We employ over 1,200 employees nationwide.
We possess a range of specialist skills to support our civil engineering and infrastructure activities, including:
- Tunnelling
- MEICA
- Temporary and permanent design
- Steel-fabrication
- Signs (design and fabrication)
- Health & safety equipment and products, including PPE
Company Website:
Company Showcase Video:
Why join Barhale?
- As Gold Investors in People, we are committed to a high standard of people practices, creating an inclusive environment and ensuring cultural alignment to business strategy, ethos and philosophies.
- Job security, long-term secured work through various frameworks and large infrastructure schemes
- A broad range of civil engineering, mechanical and electrical schemes across some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects and clients
- Strong career progression as demonstrated by our track record in promoting from within, as we believe this is a key driver of our success
Senior HV/LV Authorising Engineer
The Role
The role of Senior HV/LV (High Voltage/Low Voltage) Authorising Engineer is to lead the development of HV capability across the region. The appointment would provide the technical leadership needed to develop an HV Senior Authorised Person (SAP) team and the electrical safety arrangements to support our water industry.
Working with the regional MEICA, HSE and Quality teams and regional management, the successful candidate would develop Barhale’s HV electrical safety rules and procedures, establish a training and assessment plan, and provide independent electrical safety oversight across HV and LV activities.
You will maintain project governance in accordance with Thames Water F25 Appendix 9, providing Authorising Engineering support and oversight across Southern Region Projects from design to delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop the HV SAP team through training plans, mentoring, competence assessments and recommendations for appointment
- Strengthen and maintain HV/LV electrical safety rules, procedures, authorisation registers, training records and audit arrangements
- Provide technical oversight of switching schedules, isolation and earthing, safety documentation, testing and energisation
- Establish clear operational boundaries and safety document arrangements for work interfacing with client assets, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and other third-party systems
- Support project teams with electrical safety planning, design and commissioning reviews
- Assess specialist subcontractors’ electrical competence, safety arrangements and quality, and monitor their performance during delivery
- Keep Barhale’s electrical procedures aligned with relevant legislation, standards and industry practice, and support National Electricity Registration Scheme (NERS) documentation for audits and accreditation
- Work closely with Regional and Contract Managers and the Recruitment Team to forecast, plan and secure the personnel and resources needed to support the sustainable growth of the department
- Help develop commissioning sequences, test record sheets and overall Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) process
- Establish and audit safe isolation, locking and proving-dead arrangements for LV and HV equipment
- Carry out electrical safety inspections, record findings, agree corrective actions, verify closure and intervene to stop unsafe activities while escalating unresolved risks as required
- Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of project-specific emergency response plans, including clearly defined responsibilities, communication protocols, and emergency drills, in collaboration with site management and HSE teams
- Provide technical support when investigating electrical incidents, near misses, isolation failures and unauthorised operations and translate findings into improvements to procedures, training and briefings
- Maintain project governance in accordance with applicable electrical safety and client requirements, providing Authorising Engineer support and oversight across projects from design through to delivery
Essential:
- Substantial practical experience with both HV and LV systems, including previous written authorisation to switch at 11 kV
- Track record as an Authorising Engineer, including assessing HV SAP competence and making appointment recommendations under recognised electrical safety rules
- Recognised HV SAP and Authorising Engineer competence and training supported by relevant operational background
- Strong knowledge of switching schedules, isolation and earthing, permits to work, sanctions for test, limitations of access and competence management
- Ability to provide independent electrical safety oversight through strong technical judgement and effective communication, fostering positive engagement with project delivery teams
Desireable:
- Capability of switching and authorising up to 33 kV
- Comparable water industry experience, with a strong understanding of electrical safety governance frameworks, permit-to-work systems, and client-specific authorisation requirements
- An electrical engineering degree or equivalent and professional registration
Caring and investing in you
Our values have been embedded at Barhale for over 40 years, and they are our guiding principles regarding how we care and invest in people. Our values are our commitment to being a people-centric company.
As a Gold Investors in People company and a Sunday Times 100 Best Company to Work For, we are committed to investing in people. We are passionate about creating a working environment where people are supported throughout their careers, where people can enjoy security and be part of a company that cares about them.
From the moment you join us, your well-being and career aspirations will be supported by.
- Competitive salary
- Company Pension
- Life Assurance
- Private Medical
- 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days
- 8 hours volunteering
- Employee Assistance Programme to support your mental, physiological and financial wellbeing
- Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice
- Company car/green car scheme/car allowance/Van (dependent on position)
- Leadership & management training and coaching
- Regular line management engagement and appraisal to support your career progression
- Development supported by internal and externally delivered training
- Continuous service awards