Lead Electric Design Engineer

ESP Utilities Group; Leatherhead; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ESP Utilities Group in Leatherhead, Surrey, is seeking an ambitious Design Engineering Leader to manage a team across Gas, Water, and Electric networks. The role focuses on safe adoption of electric, gas, and water networks and liaises with customers and upstream operators to ensure policy compliance.

The role requires strong LV/HV design knowledge, leadership skills, and a collaborative approach to improve design processes and customer service.

Qualifications

• LV & HV electricity network design experience with ability to use WinDebut and IPSA.
• Good understanding of 2D CAD drawing.
• Full working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to working.
• Natural ability to lead and motivate others.
• Strong focus on delivering first-class customer service.
• Positive and innovative approach to problem solving.
• Evidence of building trust and respect amongst stakeholders of varying seniority.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of Design Engineers across Gas, Water, and Electric classes.
• Ensure design, construction, and safety standards compliance; adhere to ESP assurance process.
• Liaise with customers on network design issues to ensure policy compliance.
• Manage connections on ESP-managed networks with upstream operator.
• Evaluate reinforcement needs and manage external connection requests.
• Oversee capacity and demand negotiations with upstream parties.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety Policy and Asset Management System.
• Contribute to updating operational procedures and technical standards.
• Identify land rights needs and collaborate to minimise legal proceedings.
• Support coaching and mentoring within the Design Team.
• Drive process improvements to boost efficiency and service quality.
• Be escalation point for customer feedback when needed.
• Share performance data in daily meetings and track KPIs.
• Record and track projects across all electric workstreams.
• Pursue personal development with manager and complete relevant training.

Skills

Electrical design

Team leadership

2D CAD

Office suite

Customer service

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Tools

WinDebut

IPSA

2D CAD software

Job description

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. You must be happy to work in our Leatherhead, Surrey office at least 2 days a week

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 escalte 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.