HV Design Lead

Matchtech; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking an HV Design Integration Lead to join a power distribution team in the UK. The role covers locations including Birmingham, Ringwood and Widnes, with travel to client offices and project sites as required to deliver high‑voltage design across substations.

You will lead multidisciplinary design and coordination, review calculations and documentation, ensure safety and compliance, and act as a technical interface with clients and Tier‑1 contractors while supporting bids and

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering.
• Chartered status or equivalent proven competence.
• Significant HV design experience, especially substations.
• Experience with DNOs, Tier 1 contractors or consultancies.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary design and bid activities.
• Strong safety, quality and governance mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead HV electrical design activities with a focus on Primary or P&C for substations.
• Produce, review, and coordinate calculations, reports, and design documentation.
• Ensure designs are safe, compliant, and aligned with project requirements.
• Support mobilisation and coordination across interfaces with other disciplines.
• Act as technical interface with clients and stakeholders.
• Contribute to in-house capability development and mentoring.

Skills

HV electrical design

Substations design

Engineering leadership

Multidisciplinary coordination

Stakeholder management

Bid support

Safety & compliance

Microsoft Office Suite

Engineering systems

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Chartered status (CEng / IEng)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Engineering systems

Job description

HV Lead Engineer

Our client is seeking an HV Design Integration Lead to join their team in the power distribution sector. This permanent role involves various locations including Birmingham, Ringwood, and Widnes and requires significant travel to client offices, project sites, and other regional locations as needed to fulfil business requirements and client needs.

The HV Design Integration Lead will be integral in strengthening the in-house high voltage electrical design capability, with a focus on technical delivery, multidisciplinary coordination, and engineering leadership. The role will focus on either Protection and Control design leadership or strong Primary design engineering. The successful candidate will be expected to provide pragmatic and technically credible leadership, ensuring safety, quality, compliance, and coordination across electrical design activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or undertake HV electrical design activities with a focus on Primary design or Protection and Control design for substations.
• Produce, review, and coordinate calculations, reports, design philosophies, layouts, schematics, schedules, and supporting technical documentation.
• Ensure designs are safe, compliant, buildable, and aligned with project requirements and programme assumptions.
• Apply sound engineering judgement to resolve technical issues and support timely decision-making on complex schemes.

Multidisciplinary Coordination and Supply Chain Management

• Coordinate the wider electrical design scope effectively, even where specialist support is used.
• Manage interfaces between Primary, Protection and Control, and secondary electrical disciplines.
• Support mobilisation activities by understanding technical scope, deliverables, information requirements, and quality expectations.

Technical Assurance, Quality and Governance

• Ensure the quality, consistency, and technical integrity of HV electrical design outputs.
• Carry out or support checking, review, and sign-off activities in line with NERS requirements and relevant standards.
• Develop and improve electrical design procedures, templates, and quality assurance arrangements.
• Identify and help mitigate technical risks without compromising safety or compliance.

Stakeholder Interface and Growth

• Act as a credible technical interface with clients, DNOs, Tier 1 contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Support bids, tenders, and early-stage technical discussions with practical delivery strategies.
• Contribute to the development of an in-house electrical design capability.

Capability Development and Leadership

• Support the selection, onboarding, mentoring, and development of future electrical design staff.
• Help transition electrical capability from third-party reliance to controlled in-house delivery.
• Share lessons learned and good practice across the business.
• Act with professionalism, accountability, and collaborative leadership.

Job Requirements

Educational Background

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering or another appropriate technical discipline.
• Chartered status (CEng, IEng, or equivalent) with an appropriate professional institution, or demonstrable equivalent competence through experience.

Experience

• Significant experience in HV electrical design, particularly substations and related infrastructure.
• Demonstrable capability in either Primary design or Protection and Control design leadership.
• Experience of working with or for DNOs, Tier 1 contractors, and engineering consultancies.
• Experience of producing, reviewing, or approving electrical engineering outputs in regulated environments.
• Experience of supporting bids, tenders, and early-stage technical discussions.
• Experience of coordinating multidisciplinary design inputs.

Skills / Attributes

• Strong technical judgement with a commitment to safety, compliance, and quality.
• Ability to balance technical delivery with checking and coordination responsibilities.
• Calm, credible, and pragmatic with sound decision-making capabilities.
• Commercial awareness and focus on valuable engineering activities.
• Collaborative and confident in working with internal teams and stakeholders.
• Strong organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant engineering systems.