Design Lead - Main Plant

iberdrola; Cambuslang; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Excellent benefits

Hybrid working

Job summary

SP Energy Networks is seeking a Design Lead for the Main Plant in Cambuslang, Scotland. You will lead a team of engineers delivering transmission infrastructure from feasibility through detailed design, covering AIS/GIS switchgear and transformers at 33kV to 400kV.

You will provide technical leadership, ensure adherence to standards and regulatory requirements, manage budgets, and drive continuous improvement across the Main Plant engineering function. A Chartered Engineer status is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in main plant design and delivery of transmission infrastructure.
• Proven leadership and people management in an engineering environment.
• Knowledge of substation equipment from 33kV to 400kV and related design standards.
• Familiarity with CDM Regulations and tender assessment processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of design engineers, providing technical guidance and mentoring.
• Oversee pre-contract design development and project delivery activities for switchgear and substation equipment.
• Assess feasibility, budgets, schedules and regulatory compliance for new projects.
• Coordinate main plant drawings and technical specifications for construction and procurement.
• Provide technical tender assessments and reporting recommendations to clients.
• Support development of national and international standards and best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Design Lead - Main Plant

Location: Cambuslang, Scotland

Salary: £63,200 - £79,000 plus bonus and excellent benefits

Flexible Hybrid Working

Closing Date: 31st August 2026

With significant investment planned across SP Energy Networks' transmission network, the Core Projects Main Plant Engineering team will play a critical role in delivering the infrastructure required to support the transition to a low‑carbon energy system.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a team of Engineers responsible for developing and delivering engineering solutions for transmission networks, substations and associated plant equipment from feasibility through to detailed design.

As Main Plant Design Lead, you will be at the forefront of delivering innovative engineering solutions for transmission projects across the network. You will provide technical leadership for complex projects involving AIS & GIS switchgear, transformers and associated substation equipment operating at voltages from 33kV to 400kV, helping shape the future of the UK's transmission infrastructure.

Working closely with project development, delivery and engineering teams, you will support the successful delivery of major capital investment programmes, provide expert technical guidance and contribute to the development of engineering standards, innovation and continuous improvement initiatives across the business.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and manage a team of professional Design Engineers and Senior Design Engineers, providing technical guidance, mentoring and support.


• Advise on the development of pre‑contract designs and project delivery activities, leading and supporting the technical aspects of switchgear, transformers and all other associated substation equipment.


• Assess engineering documentation, project feasibility and compliance with client requirements, supporting the preparation of accurate budgets for new projects.


• Advise on construction and outage programmes as required in relation to the main plant engineering.


• Oversee and undertake both basic and detailed engineering specifications and designs for main plant and substation projects.


• Provide technical assessments of tender submissions and reporting recommendations to the client.


• Define main plant and ancillary apparatus requirements for inclusion within System Construction Authorisation (SCA), Project Technical Specifications and BETTA documentation.


• Coordinate the preparation and review of substation plant drawings and technical specifications for construction and procurement activities.


• Control and manage technical correspondence and drawings issued to Project Development and Project Delivery teams.


• Ensure all substation designs and equipment comply with current legislation, company policies, industry standards and operational requirements.


• Delegate and oversee the technical resolution of main plant issues arising during site works and construction activities.


• Lead the technical tender assessment of main plant equipment and materials (including suppliers).


• Provide technical support and expert advice to Project Development and Project Delivery teams on the design, construction and operation of power system substations and associated equipment.


• Lead training needs assessments for new products or similar and the development and delivery of technical, operational and safety packages for such products.


• Support the Main Plant Design Manager in the development of national and international standards, industry guidance and regulatory requirements relating to main plant.


• Contribute to training needs assessment for new products or similar and the development and delivery of technical, operational and safety packages for such products


• Attend internal and external meetings and deputise for the Main Plant Design Manager when required.

What you'll bring

• Extensive experience in Main Plant/Primary design and delivery of electricity transmission infrastructure projects.


• Degree qualification in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience.


• Proven leadership and people management experience within an engineering environment.


• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.


• Expert knowledge of substation and plant engineering for transmission networks from 33kV to 400kV.


• Knowledge of Transmission Operator safety, technical and regulatory requirements.


• Experience of technical governance, engineering assurance and tender assessment processes.


• Proven understanding of CDM Regulations and Designer Risk Assessment requirements.


• Ability to develop innovative engineering solutions and drive continuous improvement.


• Chartered Engineer status or a desire to work towards professional registration would be advantageous.

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 Scottish Power, we believe it's