Design Lead

NY STATE ELECTRIC & GAS; Blantyre; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 15%

Single Cover Healthcare

Hybrid working

Pension scheme with 10% employer match

Job summary

SP Energy Networks is recruiting a Design Lead to oversee civil and structural design for transmission substations. You will guide EPC contractor designs from feasibility to construction, ensuring compliance with CDM and safety standards, while mentoring junior engineers and coordinating across interfaces.

The role offers a hybrid work model in Scotland, with a starting salary of £63,200 to £79,000 and up to 15% annual bonus plus single cover healthcare. Closing Date: 22/11/2026.

Qualifications

• The role requires strong leadership and stakeholder management within civil/structural engineering.
• Experience in transmission/EPC environments is essential.
• Knowledge of CDM, health and safety standards is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical review and assurance of EPC contractor civil and structural designs, calculations, models and reports.
• Lead civil and structural engineering activities from feasibility through detailed design and construction.
• Prepare and approve technical specifications and tender documentation.
• Act as the technical interface with EPC contractors, coordinating design deliverables and interfaces.
• Provide specialist civil and structural advice to Project Development and Delivery teams.
• Ensure designs meet legislation, CDM requirements, standards and operational needs.
• Promote innovative engineering solutions, including BIM to improve sustainability and delivery.
• Lead and develop Graduate, Design and Senior Design Engineers.
• Support engineering standards, processes and regulatory activities.
• Represent the Civil Engineering team at project, industry and stakeholder meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Civil engineering

Structural engineering

Education

Degree-level engineering qualification (BSc/BEng/MSc)

Chartered Engineer status

Job description

Design Lead - Civil

Blantyre

Salary starting from £63,200 to £79,000

Plus up to 15% annual bonus and Single Cover Healthcare

Permanent/Hybrid

Closing Date: 22/11/2026

Help us create a better future, quicker!

With SP Energy Networks investing over £5bn in transmission projects across central and southern Scotland by 2030, our Strategic Projects team will play a key role in delivering the infrastructure needed to support Scottish and UK net zero ambitions.

We're recruiting a Design Lead to join the SP Transmission Strategic Projects team. Reporting to the Principal Civil Engineer, you'll lead the technical review and assurance of civil and structural designs for transmission substations, working closely with EPC contractors from feasibility through detailed design and construction.

What you’ll be doing

You'll provide expert technical guidance, manage key engineering interfaces and drive innovative, safe and sustainable solutions across our transmission network at voltages from 132kV to 400kV. The role also includes line management responsibility within the Civil Engineering team.

• Lead technical review and assurance of EPC contractor civil and structural designs, calculations, models and reports.


• Lead civil and structural engineering activities from feasibility and tender development through detailed design and construction.


• Prepare and approve technical specifications and tender documentation.


• Act as the technical interface with EPC contractors, coordinating design deliverables and engineering interfaces.


• Provide specialist civil and structural advice to Project Development and Delivery teams.


• Ensure designs meet legislation, CDM requirements, technical standards and operational requirements.


• Promote innovative engineering solutions, including BIM, to improve sustainability, reduce whole-life carbon and accelerate delivery.


• Lead and develop Graduate, Design and Senior Design Engineers.


• Support engineering standards, processes, competency development and regulatory activities.


• Represent the Civil Engineering team at project, industry and stakeholder meetings.

What You'll Bring

• Strong civil and structural engineering experience within transmission, electrical infrastructure or a comparable EPC environment.


• Experience designing or reviewing earthworks, platforms, drainage, foundations, structures and buildings.


• Strong understanding of CDM, health and safety, and engineering design standards.


• Experience delivering multiple large and complex infrastructure projects.


• Ability to manage competing priorities and make sound engineering decisions in complex environments.


• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.

Minimum Criteria

• Degree-level engineering qualification such as BSc/BEng/MSc, or equivalent relevant experience.


• Significant civil and structural engineering experience within an EPC or major infrastructure environment.


• Proven experience of civil and structural design for electrical transmission infrastructure, ideally up to 400kV.


• Knowledge of Transmission Operator technical, health and safety, and compliance requirements.


• Chartered Engineer status.

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 t