Associate - Power

HDR; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking an Associate Electrical Engineer to join our UK power team in Manchester. You will lead multidisciplinary design and specification activities for high‑voltage substations up to 765 kV, guiding projects from concept to completion with a strong emphasis on safety and quality.

You’ll collaborate with clients and project managers across the HDR network, shaping technically robust, deliverable designs while mentoring junior engineers and driving continuous improvement within our

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required; a Master’s degree is highly desirable.
• Chartered status is preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years in technical design for HV switchyards and substations up to 765 kV.
• Experience with IEC/IEEE/ANSI design standards and cross‑discipline coordination.
• Proven ability to lead design across all project stages.

Responsibilities

• Lead management of project and package delivery with client briefs, technical requirements, and scopes of work.
• Drive projects from concept to detailed design with regular design reviews.
• Ensure design standards and quality through in‑house reviews and checks.
• Foster client relationships and promote repeat business.
• Contribute to business development by identifying opportunities.
• Inspire and lead teams, set objectives, and coach staff.
• Oversee progress, manage design variations, and support budget control.
• Champion QA systems and regulatory compliance.
• Promote safety and ensure designs meet CDM standards.
• Uphold ISO 9001 and 14001 quality management.

Skills

Leadership & people management

Stakeholder coordination

High‑voltage design

Power system engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree (desirable)

Tools

DigSILENT IPSA ETAP (Power System Studies)

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

About The Role

Join HDR’s vibrant team and work with high-profile clients, including leading utilities and global tech giants, on groundbreaking projects like data centres and low‑carbon power solutions. As an Associate Electrical Engineer, you will be at the forefront of transforming power infrastructure, with the chance to lead, innovate, and leave a lasting impact.

Our Glasgow office is our UK power hub and operates like an innovative startup within the framework of HDR's global presence of over 12,000 employees. You’ll be part of a small, rapidly growing team with the opportunity to influence the direction of local operations in a supportive and entrepreneurial environment. While our team in Glasgow is intimate and dynamic, you will have the full backing and support of HDR’s well‑established 600+ employee power team in the US, providing a wealth of resources, expertise, and collaboration opportunities to ensure you succeed and thrive in your role.

As part of our 100% employee‑owned organization, you’ll have endless opportunities to excel, grow, and achieve your career goals. You will leverage your broad technical expertise to guide multidisciplinary teams in developing detailed designs and specifications, taking projects from concept to completion across a diverse range of initiatives.

This role offers you the chance to lead teams, mentor and inspire the next generation of engineers while shaping a growing team of substation specialists. By building strong connections with industry experts and Project Managers, you’ll drive innovative solutions and contribute to delivering outstanding projects, making your mark in a field that’s critical to the future of energy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the management of project and package delivery by establishing client briefs, defining technical requirements, and developing comprehensive scopes of work, including cost planning and agreeing on deliverables such as reports, specifications, and drawings for all projects within the team.
• Drive engineering projects from concept to detailed design, ensuring alignment with design briefs and meeting deadlines through regular design reviews and collaboration with engineers.
• Ensure all design projects and reports meet high technical standards and consistent quality, conducting regular in‑house design reviews and quality checks.
• Foster strong client relationships and consistently deliver high levels of satisfaction to encourage repeat business, managing expectations and promoting a collaborative team approach.
• Contribute to business development by identifying new opportunities and actively participating in company presentations to expand our market reach.
• Inspire and lead your team to build a high‑performing, cohesive group, setting clear objectives, monitoring progress, and coaching staff to maximize their potential.
• Oversee project progress, manage design variations, and support financial budget control, collaborating with the Project Lead on larger projects to ensure success.
• Champion the implementation of robust QA systems and procedures, ensuring project compliance and excellence in delivery.
• Promote a culture of safety by adhering to Company Health and Safety standards and ensuring designs comply with CDM regulations.
• Uphold the Quality Management System standards ISO 9001 and 14001, ensuring all projects are delivered to these benchmarks.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required; a Master’s degree is highly desirable.
• Chartered status is preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years in technical design, focusing on high‑voltage electrical switchyard and substation projects up to 765 kV, demonstrating strong knowledge of physical, electrical, civil, and structural design components, and familiarity with IEC, IEEE, ANSI, and other key design and equipment standards.
• Proven ability to build strong, positive relationships within project teams and with clients, enhancing collaboration and project success.
• Lead the management of electrical design across all stages of the project, ensuring alignment with client needs and project goals.
• Skilled in coordinating design efforts across multiple stakeholders and disciplines, fostering a cohesive and integrated approach.
• Extensive expertise in critical systems power engineering, including advanced knowledge of earthing, HV and LV protection systems, and various levels of resilience.
• Experience in Power System Studies (DigSILENT, IPSA, ETAP or similar).
• Competent in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, enabling effective communication and documentation.
• Consistently project a positive, professional attitude, fostering a productive and engaging work environment.
• Strong team player with a collaborative mindset, able to work effectively within a team and contribute to cooperative project delivery.

Primary Location: United Kingdom-England-Manchester
Other Locations: United Kingdom-Scotland-Glasgow, United Kingdom-England-London
Industry: Power
Schedule: Full‑time
Employee Status: Regular
BusinessClass: Substation Engineering
Job Posting: Jul 14, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.