Design Lead

Design Lead (Engineering Project Manager)

SP Energy Networks (SPEN), part of the ScottishPower Group, are investing £12 billion to upgrade and expand the electricity transmission network across Central and Southern Scotland from 2026 to 2031 as part of RIIO-T3 Business Plan. This exciting investment plan aims to connect up to 19GW of clean energy, create over 11,000 jobs, and accelerate the UK's journey to Net Zero by 2035.

As a result, we are excited to welcome a new Design Lead (Engineering Project Manager) to our Core Projects team. This position reports to the Engineering Project Design Manager, the postholder will be responsible for leading a team of professional Engineering Project Managers and Project Engineers who develop and coordinate engineering solutions from feasibility to detailed engineering designs for transmission networks (132kV and above) in Civil/Plant/P&C/OHL/Cables and other equipment.

This will include providing the necessary basic and detailed engineering specifications and designs for projects, innovation, effective technical support, advice, site liaison and input throughout the lifecycle of the project.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading and managing a group of professional Engineering Project Managers and Project Engineers who are responsible for coordinating basic and detailed engineering specifications and designs for civils/main plant/P&C/OHL/Cables and other equipment.
• Responsible for coordinating recruitment & induction to Engineering Project Managers and Project Engineers.
• Ensure engineering team is working efficiently and effectively according to Engineering Key Performance Indicators.
• Responsible for coordinating basic and detailed engineering specifications and designs for civils/main plant/P&C/OHL/Cables and other equipment on big scale and priority projects.
• Assess engineering documentation, feasibility and compliance with SPT requirements and support the preparation of accurate budgets for projects.
• Coordination/Preparation/Review of design drawings and specifications for construction/procurement on big scale and priority projects.
• Management of external design contractors, consultants and surveyors.
• Advice on construction and outage programmes where required in relation to Civil/Plant/P&C/OHL/Cables and other equipment on big scale and priority projects.
• Define engineering requirements for input to System Construction Authorization (SCA), Project Technical Specifications and BETTA documentation on big scale and priority projects.
• Ensure designs, equipment and construction practices are in accordance with current legislation, policies and operational requirements.
• Liaise across multi-disciplinary engineering teams to provide end to end integrated solution.
• Responsible for providing technical assessment on design, construction and operation areas on tender submissions and reporting recommendations to professional Engineering Project Managers, Project Engineers and projects team.
• Tender assessment of engineering (including suppliers), support to project management on the assessment of bids. Perform all duties with and promote internally and externally a strong emphasis on health, safety, quality and environmental compliance and continuous improvement.
• Drive industry best practice and technological advances within the project team/department.
• Lead engineering improvement meetings and make recommendations to Engineering Manager on improvements to the engineering processes and deliverables.
• Act as an interface point between the Project delivery management teams and the engineering teams.

What You'll Bring

• Achieved, or working towards, Chartered Engineer status.
• Proven people management and leadership skills.
• Excellent influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven experience in a responsible position and knowledge in one or more of the following areas from 33kV to 400kV: Switchgear/Transformers/Transmission and distribution system design, Civil design, Main Plant design, Protection & Control design and/or OHL and cables design.
• Experience in Electricity Network Construction Projects
• Good inter-personal and communication skills and the ability to form effective working relationships with other individuals, departments and businesses.
• Knowledge of health & safety requirements and compliance

As minimum, you will demonstrate:

• Masters Civil or Structural Engineering qualification and/or postgraduate qualification or Engineering degree or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in delivering engineering solutions and designs for high value and complex Engineering projects.
• Communicate with and influence senior managers.
• Writing clear and concise reports and documents covering technical subjects.

What's In It For You

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy a number of other benefits. With our pension scheme, we'll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%.

At ScottishPower, we believe it's the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family's wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action – our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world – today and tomorrow. That's why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave
• Holiday purchase – perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave
• Share Incentive Plan and Sharesave Scheme
• Payroll giving and charity matched funding
• Technology Vouchers – save more and spread the cost of your technology purposes
• Count us in – pledge to reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change
• Electric Vehicle Schemes – to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and public transport season ticket loans
• Options to purchase dental insurance, private medical insurance, health cash plan and annual health assessments
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Access to Savesmart financial wellbeing support
• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why SP Energy Networks

SP Energy Networks is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world's largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses through Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and in the North West of England. We operate over 4000km of cables and lines that make-up the transmission network – connecting infrastructure like wind farms into the electricity system. It's a role that puts us right at the heart of Scotland's ambition to be Net Zero by 2044. And we're taking it very seriously. We're investing >£5.5 billion into our transmission network, directly supporting the rapid growth needed in renewable energy. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you'll fit right in.

We are committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to careers@scottishpower.com.

Mobility

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country. If/when required, the Company will support the employee with the necessary Immigration requirements.

Advert will close at 23:59 GMT the day before Job Posting End Date below

April-8-2026