Engineering Design Director – Substations & Innovation

LGBT Jobs; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 77,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus up to 20%

Electric car or car allowance

Private medical insurance

Pension scheme with employer matching

Life assurance 4x salary

Sharesave scheme

On-site parking

Flexible working

Job summary

National Grid Electricity Distribution is seeking a Head of Engineering Design to lead a 90+ engineering team across Bristol, Cardiff, Tipton and Castle Donington. The role focuses on safe, compliant, cost‑effective design solutions for EHV assets and complex networks, with regular travel across licence areas.

You will drive improvements in design quality, productivity and delivery while coordinating with Major Projects and Engineering Policy to shape the network of tomorrow.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in electrical engineering design and leading large technical teams.
• Track record of delivering operational and strategic improvements.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across multiple functions.
• Experience with NEC contracts and Design & Build delivery models.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of 90+ engineering professionals across multiple locations.
• Set objectives and performance measures aligned to major projects and wider goals.
• Ensure timely delivery of high‑quality EHV designs and related assets.
• Maintain governance and assurance ensuring designs comply with policies and CDM.
• Develop outsourcing models to build resilience for future growth.
• Collaborate with other teams to ensure standards and policies are met.
• Drive design throughput, productivity and efficiency through standardisation and automation.
• Shape the future structure of the Engineering Design function.

Skills

Leadership

Electrical engineering

Stakeholder management

Change leadership

Design & Build knowledge

Job description

National Grid Electricity Distribution is seeking a Head of Engineering Design to lead a 90+ engineering team across Bristol, Cardiff, Tipton and Castle Donington. The role focuses on safe, compliant, cost‑effective design solutions for EHV assets and complex networks, with regular travel across licence areas.

You will drive improvements in design quality, productivity and delivery while coordinating with Major Projects and Engineering Policy to shape the network of tomorrow.