Electrical Engineering Recruitment

Electrical, controls and power engineers for industry, networks and buildings

Electrical engineers are needed everywhere

Electrical engineers are needed in almost every part of the Scottish economy. Grid reinforcement to connect new wind generation is driving large transmission and distribution programmes in the north and south of the country. Manufacturers need controls and automation engineers to keep production lines running, and the construction sector needs electrical design and building services engineers for commercial, public and residential projects.

That breadth creates competition for the same people. An electrical engineer with high voltage experience or a strong controls background can choose between utilities, contractors, manufacturers and consultancies, and employers who move slowly tend to lose candidates to those who do not.

Electrical engineer testing wiring in a control panel

The roles employers find hardest to fill

The roles employers find hardest to fill include HV and protection engineers, PLC and SCADA engineers, electrical design engineers who work to BS 7671 and the relevant industry standards, and electrical maintenance engineers for industrial sites.

Newer areas are adding to the pressure. Battery storage, electric vehicle charging and heat pump installation all need electrical engineers, often drawn from the same pool as traditional industry, and smaller employers especially value candidates with both electrical and mechanical skills.

In industry, much of the demand is for engineers who can bridge electrical and controls work, diagnosing faults on drives, motor control centres and PLC-controlled equipment. On the networks, it is for engineers who can plan, supervise and commission substation and cable work to the standards the network operators set.

View engineering jobs
Robotic arm in a manufacturing facility

Electrical engineering roles we recruit

  • Electrical design engineers
  • HV, protection and commissioning engineers
  • PLC, SCADA, controls and automation engineers
  • Instrumentation and control engineers
  • Electrical maintenance engineers
  • Electrical project engineers and project managers
  • Building services and M&E engineers

Browse current vacancies on our engineering jobs board.

Where the work is

Electrical roles follow industry and the grid. Glasgow and Edinburgh have the largest numbers of contractors and consultancies, Perth is a centre for power networks, and Inverness and the Highlands are seeing major transmission investment. Every area we cover is on our engineering recruitment locations page.

Related sectors

Electrical engineers move between energy and renewables, construction and building services and manufacturing and industrial employers more than almost any other discipline.

Next steps

Need an electrical or controls engineer? Find out how we work with hiring managers or speak to us directly. Electrical engineers can view live engineering jobs in Scotland, and the full list of engineering sectors is on our sectors page.

How we recruit electrical engineers

Voltage and authorisation

The difference between low and high voltage experience, or between being authorised and being competent, matters. We establish each candidate's voltage levels, authorisations and qualifications before they are put forward.

Controls platforms

Controls engineers are rarely interchangeable. We match on the PLC and SCADA platforms a candidate has programmed and commissioned, and on whether they have worked on process, packaging or building systems.

Moving at the right pace

Good electrical engineers have options. We keep interview processes tight and give candidates clear feedback, which helps you secure the person you want before a competing offer lands.

Electrical engineering engineering salaries in Scotland

Salary ranges in Scotland for the key engineering roles in this sector, from our Scottish Engineering Salary Guide 2026.

RoleSalary range in ScotlandWhat pays at the top of the range
Electrical Engineer£40,000 to £80,000Power systems, grid and renewables; senior marine electrical
Controls Engineer£50,000 to £75,000HV protection and control; nuclear EC&I
Automation Engineer£50,000 to £65,000Siemens and Rockwell PLC design and commissioning
Maintenance Engineer£40,000 to £65,000Multi-skilled with food, drink or bottling hall experience, often on shifts
Project Engineer£45,000 to £85,000HV transmission; distillery and other capital projects

Basic salary for permanent roles, 2026. See the full salary guide for all 17 roles.

Recent engineering placements

Design Engineer, West of Scotland Fabrication Business How we placed a Design Engineer with an established fabrication and machining business in the west of Scotland, in 4 weeks. Maintenance Engineer, Central Belt Food Manufacturer How we placed a Maintenance Engineer with a Central Belt food manufacturer running high-volume production and packing lines, in 3 weeks. Estimating Engineer, Specialist Engineered Products Manufacturer How we placed an Estimating Engineer with a Central Belt manufacturer of specialist engineered products for marine, defence and energy projects, in 6 weeks.

See all case studies

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to fill an engineering vacancy?

Most engineering assignments take 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how complex the role is. Recent examples include a Maintenance Engineer placed in 3 weeks and a Quality Manager placed in 6 weeks. We give you an honest view of the likely timescale when we take the brief.

How do you screen engineering candidates?

Every engineer is interviewed by phone and on a Teams video call before you see a CV. Each CV comes with a written summary of the engineer's background, why they are looking and their salary expectations, so you only see people with the right skills, experience and motivation.

What are your fees and terms?

We agree terms for each assignment rather than publishing a standard rate, because the right structure depends on the role and how you want to hire. Terms include a free candidate replacement guarantee. Call 01698 464 099 to discuss your vacancy.

Which engineering roles do you recruit?

Quality, design, manufacturing, maintenance, estimating, project, electrical, mechanical, process, automation, civil and structural engineers, along with engineering managers and directors.

Which areas of Scotland do you cover?

All of Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Stirling, Falkirk, Perth, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Fife, West Lothian and Renfrewshire, from our office at Strathclyde Business Park, Bellshill.

How long has Engineering Recruit Scotland been running?

Engineering Recruit Scotland was set up in 2020. Our directors have spent 25 years recruiting engineers for employers across Scotland.

Tell us about your vacancy

Send us the details and a senior consultant will call you back to talk through the role, the market and how quickly we can find the right engineer.

Prefer to talk it through? Call 01698 464 099.

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Need to hire an engineer?

Call us or tell us about your vacancy, and we will give you an honest view of how quickly we can help.

Tell us about your vacancy Call 01698 464 099