CAD Designer

Pontoon; Greater London; Remote; GBP 30,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

Pontoon is seeking a CAD Designer for homebased work to support the optioneering and concept development phase of electricity transmission and distribution projects. This role focuses on rapid concept layouts, GA drawings, and visualisations to compare options and support regulatory submissions, including Ofgem.

You will collaborate with engineers, planners, land teams and project developers to refine options, create 3D visuals, and ensure outputs meet industry standards at concept level.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in AutoCAD and CAD software used in the UK power sector.
• Experience developing concept substation layouts for AIS and GIS.
• Understanding of transmission and distribution infrastructure.
• Ability to iteratively develop design solutions with limited information.
• Background in optioneering, feasibility studies, Front End engineering, or project development activities.
• Familiarity with 3D tools such as Bentley Substation, Revit, Civil 3D.

Responsibilities

• Develop concept CAD layouts and feasibility designs for AIS and GIS substations.
• Produce high-level optioneering drawings for sites, corridors, and equipment.
• Support evaluation of land parcels with layout comparisons.
• Generate GA layouts, site concepts, and indicative cable routing.
• Collaborate with engineers, planners, land teams, and project development teams.
• Create visuals, 3D models, and rendered images for stakeholder engagement and Ofgem submissions.
• Ensure outputs align with standards and client requirements at concept level.
• Contribute to technical reports and regulatory submissions with clear design outputs.

Skills

AutoCAD

3D Modelling

Concept design

UK power sector knowledge

Team collaboration

Tools

Bentley Substation

Revit

Civil 3D

AutoCAD Plant 3D

Job description

Job Title: CAD Designer

Location: Homebased

Contract Type: 6 months - Part time (2.5 days)

Our client, a forward-thinking organisation in the utilities sector, is seeking a talented CAD Designer to support the Optioneering and Concept Development phase of exciting electricity transmission and distribution projects. This is an excellent opportunity for an innovative individual who thrives in a dynamic environment and is eager to contribute to impactful projects.

Role Purpose
As a CAD Designer, the primary focus will be on rapidly developing concept layouts, feasibility designs, and visual representations that assist in identifying, comparing, and refining infrastructure options across various sites and land parcels. This role is vital in delivering high-quality concept design outputs that support strategic decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory submissions, particularly for Ofgem.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop concept CAD layouts and feasibility designs for new and modified electricity substations, including Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) and Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) solutions.
• Produce high-level optioneering drawings to assess the viability of multiple sites, corridors, access arrangements, and equipment configurations.
• Support the evaluation of various land parcels by creating and comparing potential substation layouts, cable interfaces, and infrastructure footprints.
• Generate General Arrangement (GA) layouts, site concepts, primary equipment arrangements, and indicative cable routing solutions.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, planners, land teams, and project development teams to rapidly test and refine potential options.
• Create visualisations, 3D models, and rendered images of shortlisted options to enhance stakeholder engagement and facilitate regulatory submissions.
• Ensure all outputs align with applicable industry standards, utility specifications, and client requirements while maintaining a concept-level focus.
• Contribute to technical reports, feasibility assessments, and Ofgem submissions through clear and professional design outputs.

Skills & Experience

• Strong proficiency in AutoCAD and other CAD software used in the UK power sector.
• Experience in developing concept substation layouts for AIS and GIS technologies.
• A solid understanding of transmission and distribution infrastructure, including substations, cable systems, and associated civil requirements.
• Ability to swiftly develop and iterate multiple design solutions with limited information.
• Background in supporting optioneering, feasibility studies, Front End engineering, or project development activities.
• Familiarity with 3D modelling and visualisation tools such as Bentley Substation, Revit, Civil 3D, AutoCAD Plant 3D, or similar is desirable.
• Understanding of land constraints, operational requirements, and constructability considerations affecting substation development.

Typical Outputs

• Concept substation layouts (AIS and GIS)
• Site feasibility and optioneering drawings
• Comparative option layouts across multiple land parcels
• Indicative cable routing and connection concepts
• Concept General Arrangement (GA) drawings
• Strategic development and regulatory submission graphics
• 3D models and visualisations of preferred options
• Images and rendered views for stakeholder engagement and Ofgem submissions

Success Measures
Success in this role will be defined by the ability to enable project teams to swiftly identify, compare, and communicate technically credible options. This includes providing robust visual evidence to support investment decisions, regulatory approvals, and the selection of preferred development solutions. The emphasis will be on speed, creativity, feasibility assessment, and option comparison rather than detailed engineering design for construction.

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity to showcase your CAD design skills in a vibrant and impactful environment, our client would love to hear from you!

We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention.