Lead Design Engineer

ESP Utilities Group Ltd; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ESP Utilities Group Ltd in Surrey is seeking a Lead Design Engineer (Electric) to lead a skilled team in LV/HV network design and QA across multiple asset classes. The role emphasizes strong leadership, design excellence, and customer-focused problem solving.

Hybrid working model with 3 days in the Surrey office and 2 days from home. You will drive design standards, liaise with customers and manage critical projects to sustain ESP's growth and network reliability.

Qualifications

• LV & HV electricity network design experience.
• 2D CAD drawing proficiency.
• Proficient with MS Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to lead and mentor team members.
• Strong customer service orientation and problem-solving skills.
• Stakeholder management across multiple functions and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of Design Engineers across Gas, Water, Electric (where applicable).
• Ensure design, construction, and safety standards compliance.
• Liaise with customers on network design issues per ESP policies.
• Handle connections on ESP networks and evaluate reinforcement needs.
• Maintain health & safety and asset management procedures.
• Provide coaching and performance feedback within the Design Team.

Skills

LV/HV network design

Leadership & mentoring

Customer service

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

2D CAD drawing

Tools

WinDebut

IPSA

MS Office

Job description

Lead Design Engineer (Electric)

ESP is seeking an ambitious, forward-thinking, and innovative individual with strong electric engineering design knowledge who can bring solutions to the needs of our customers and developers. You will have the ability to lead team members and take the lead on strategic projects. You will have strong knowledge of HV (and preferably) EHV networks.

This role has a hybrid working model of 3 days a week in our Surrey office & 2 days from home.

Role Purpose

Our Design Team enable the safe adoption of distribution networks by ensuring that ESP specifications are met. This team of Design Engineers is responsible for reviewing expanding network demand and maintaining a high standard of our asset register which is vital to ESP's continued growth.

The interaction and collaboration within the direct team and wider functions within ESP's Operations department is another key aspect of the role. Additionally, effective liaison with other ESP departments and external stakeholders.

This role will be part of a focused team that is committed to ensuring the safe adoption of electric, gas and water networks and who strive to fulfil their wider responsibilities to the highest possible standard.

Key Responsibilities

The following key responsibilities apply to the role:

• Manage a team of Design Engineers, across all full classes (Gas, Water, Electric)


• Ensuring compliance with design, construction, and safety standards as appropriate. Adhering to the ESP assurance process.


• Liaison with customers over network design issues to ensure compliance with ESP design and construction policies and standards.


• Management of applications for connections on to the upstream operator's network associated with ESP managed networks.


• Manage applications made by other network operator's or customers for connections on to ESP networks including evaluation of any network reinforcement requirements.


• Manage the relationship between ESP and all upstream parties for capacity and demand negotiations.


• Ensuring that the requirements of the ESPUG's Health and Safety Policy are met.


• Ensuring that the requirements of the ESPUG's Asset Management System are met.


• Participation in reviews and updates of the current operational procedures and technical standards.


• Assessing the need for land rights on projects and collaborating with customers to identify solutions to minimise need to initiate legal proceedings.


• Acting as a role model within the Design Team and demonstrating coaching and mentoring for team members who are developing their careers within the industry.


• Taking ownership of process improvement opportunities; ensuring to analyse current state and determine the most suitable improvements that could be implemented to support efficiency gains and improvements in customer service.


• Act as an escalation point for customer feedback and complaints when support is needed by junior team members, and it is not necessary to elevate as far as the Design Manager.


• Contributing performance data in daily team meetings to help keep track of KPIs against the SLAs that are in place and offer feedback on what needs to be done to maintain or improve performance as needed.


• Accurately recording & tracking projects across all electric workstreams using team trackers and systems.


• Being accountable for your personal development by collaborating with your manager to ensure relevant objectives are in place, and that every effort is made to ensure these are achieved, in addition to attending all relevant training required to fulfil responsibilities.

Skills Needed

• LV & HV electricity network design experience with the ability to use IT based design software i.e., WinDebut, IPSA


• Good understanding of 2D CAD drawing.


• Full working knowledge of Microsoft Office.


• Flexible and adaptable approach to working.


• A natural ability to lead and motivate others.


• A strong focus on delivering first-class customer service.


• A positive and innovative approach to problem solving.


• Evidence of building trust and respect amongst stakeholders of varying seniority.