Associate Power Engineer

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking an Associate Electrical Engineer in the UK to lead HV switchyard and substation design projects up to 765 kV. You will guide detailed design, coordinate across disciplines, and mentor a growing team. The role emphasises safety, quality, and client relationship skills.

You will work within HDR’s power team, collaborating with Project Managers to deliver complex projects from concept through to construction, while upholding rigorous QA and CDM standards.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in technical design for HV switchyards and substations up to 765 kV
• Experience with IEC, IEEE, and ANSI design standards
• Proven ability to lead electrical design across all project stages
• Strong stakeholder and client relationship skills
• Experience in multi-disciplinary teams and project delivery

Responsibilities

• Lead project and package delivery by defining technical requirements and scopes
• Drive projects from concept to detailed design with regular reviews
• Ensure high technical standards and quality through design reviews
• Foster client relationships and promote repeat business
• Support business development and opportunities
• Lead and mentor substation design team
• Oversee progress, manage design variations, and assist budget control
• Champion QA systems and CDM safety compliance
• Uphold ISO 9001 and 14001 standards
• Ensure designs meet safety requirements and company standards

Skills

Electrical design leadership

Power system studies

Stakeholder coordination

Client relationship management

Team collaboration

Standards knowledge

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer status (preferred)

Tools

DigSILENT

IPSA

ETAP

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

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 multi‑disciplinary 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.

Location

Primary Location: United Kingdom, England, Manchester

Other Locations: United Kingdom, Scotland, Glasgow & United Kingdom, England, London

Employment Information

Schedule: Full‑time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Substation Engineering

Job Posting Date: Jul 14 2026

EEO Statement

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.