Lead Design Engineer

ESP Utilities Group; Leatherhead; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ESP Utilities Group in Leatherhead, Surrey, is seeking an ambitious Design Engineering Lead to drive solutions for customers and developers. You will head a team across Gas, Water and Electric networks, ensure safety and design standards, and collaborate with ESP departments and external stakeholders.

The role emphasises coaching, process improvements, and strong customer liaison to deliver efficient network design and asset management.

Qualifications

• LV/HV network design experience with IT-based design tools.
• Proficiency in WinDebut and IPSA software.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Design Engineers across Gas, Water and Electric.
• Ensure compliance with design, construction and safety standards.
• Liaise with customers on network design issues and ESP policies.
• Manage connections on ESP networks and assess reinforcement needs.
• Coach and mentor junior engineers and drive process improvements.
• Track KPIs and contribute to daily performance reviews.

Skills

LV/HV design

2D CAD

MS Office

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Customer service

Problem solving

Tools

WinDebut

IPSA

Job description

This role has a hybrid working model. You must be happy to work in our Leatherhead, Surrey office at least 2 days a week

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.

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.