Engineering Design Manager

Leading Engineering Consultancy | Energy Sector | Manchester-based | Hybrid Working | Long-term Contract | Outside IR35 | Competitive Rate

The Opportunity

We're recruiting an Engineering Design Manager to manage design delivery and engineering coordination on a major National Grid 400kV substation EPC project. You'll oversee design team briefing, subcontractor design packages, design assurance and technical approvals, reporting to the Transmission Design Lead.

Contract Details: Outside IR35 | Competitive daily/monthly rate | Hybrid working (2-3 days office-based in Manchester) | Remaining days remote | Long-term contract

This role requires extensive, recent experience on National Grid substation projects and in-depth knowledge of National Grid's Supplier Requirements and Technical Specifications. You'll manage design delivery across M&E elements, coordinate with 3rd parties and novated design teams, and ensure all deliverables meet customer specifications, safety requirements and contractual obligations.

What You'll Be Doing

Design Management & Coordination

• Manage and brief the design team across M&E elements and packages
• Manage subcontractor design packages and technical approvals
• Coordinate with 3rd parties and novated design teams, ensuring they meet specifications and quality standards
• Assess competence and resources of incumbent design teams and external parties
• Ensure effective design team coordination and collaboration across all disciplines

Design Deliverables & Programming

• Lead development and management of the design deliverables programme
• Establish and maintain clear schedules for design deliverables
• Lead gate review activities, ensuring timely and appropriate sign-off at each project gate
• Coordinate production of design data, reports and documentation essential to project and contractual requirements
• Report progress against design deliverables programme to project management and principal design manager

Technical Assurance & Standards

• Provide technical guidance on design buildability to design and construction teams
• Manage design assurance processes ensuring compliance with company procedures and systems
• Ensure all designs comply with National Grid requirements and UK legislation and standards
• Support the Safety by Design & Engineering forum, representing the business stream
• Maintain relentless focus on safety by design throughout all deliverables

Stakeholder & External Liaison

• Liaise with statutory bodies and authorities including town planning, building control and utility services
• Support change control processes
• Lead value engineering activities
• Engage with clients and stakeholders on design matters and approvals

Project Integration & Improvement

• Support BIM protocols, data management and collaboration during delivery
• Support BIM requirements during bid stage, ensuring supply chain awareness
• Consider application of Lean construction techniques to reduce waste and optimise delivery
• Contribute to Risk and Value Management processes
• Capture learning and best practice for sharing across the business

About You

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in relevant engineering discipline (Electrical or Electronic Engineering)
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status with a relevant professional body
• Minimum 20+ years' engineering experience in energy sector or similar infrastructure environments
• MUST HAVE: Extensive knowledge of National Grid Supplier Requirements and Technical Specifications
• MUST HAVE: Recent experience on National Grid substation projects
• In-depth knowledge of UK legislation and standards for high-voltage electrical infrastructure
• Strong understanding of:
  • 400kV substation design and construction
  • EPC project delivery and design management
  • Design assurance and quality control processes
  • BIM protocols and integrated design management
  • Safety by design principles
• Awareness of risk identification, quantification and management and HSE requirements
• Strong communication skills — confident engaging with colleagues, clients and stakeholders
• Safety and risk management focused — work with safety and risk at the forefront
• Customer focused — commitment to meeting National Grid specifications and requirements
• Highly motivated — takes ownership of design delivery and coordination

Desirable

• Experience with other utility company substation projects (ESO, DNOs)
• Knowledge of transmission system requirements and constraints
• Experience implementing BIM on large infrastructure projects
• Familiarity with Lean construction principles
• Track record of leading value engineering on major projects