Overhead Line Technical Lead (Energy)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is looking for a Technical Lead for the Overhead Line design team in Manchester. In this role, you will lead engineering activities while ensuring compliance with client requirements and industry standards. Your responsibility includes managing the design function, mentoring engineers, and providing technical oversight across all project phases.

The ideal candidate will have senior-level experience in OHL design, a minimum BEng in Electrical Engineering, and expertise in 132-400kV transmission. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within the UK Transmission sector.

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in OHL design & leadership.
• Strong expertise in 132-400kV transmission line design.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng, IET) or working towards chartership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the OHL design function and develop technical standards.
• Provide technical oversight across all project phases.
• Build and mentor a high-performing team of engineers.

Skills

OHL design leadership

Electrical Engineering

PLS CADD and Tower design software

UK Transmission regulations

Education

BEng in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Job Summary

As the Technical Lead of the Overhead Line (OHL) design team, you will lead engineering activities and provide technical support and design across the Transmission portfolio. You will act as the technical authority for OHL design, ensuring safe, compliant, and high‑quality engineering solutions aligned with client requirements, regulatory standards and industry best practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Lead and develop the OHL design function.
  • Define technical standards, best practices and long‑term capability requirements.
  • Promote safety‑by‑design, quality assurance and compliance with UK/EU legislation and industry standards (ENA, BS, IEC).
  • Align design resources with business strategy and project demand.
  • Support resource planning and recruitment.
• Technical Authority
  • Set direction for OHL design including Basic & Detailed design packages.
  • Approve design deliverables to ensure technical integrity, constructability, and compliance with utility standards.
• Project Delivery & Governance
  • Provide technical oversight across all project phases: concept, FEED, detailed design, construction and commissioning.
  • Drive consistency, quality and risk management across design packages.
  • Support tendering activities including bid preparation, estimating and scope definition.
• People Leadership
  • Build, lead and mentor a high‑performing team of engineers and technical specialists.
  • Define career pathways, training programmes, standardisation of design activities, and performance expectations.
  • Enable effective collaboration with HV Plant, Civil, HV Cable, P&C, DNO and project management teams.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Represent the organisation as a senior technical authority in client, regulator and partner meetings.
  • Work with external design houses, suppliers and contractors to optimise technical solutions.
  • Manage client feedback to support continuous improvement and strong commercial relationships.

Professional Experience and Skills

• Senior‑level experience in OHL design & leadership within the UK Transmission sectors.
• Strong expertise in OHL engineering transmission and/or distribution line design – Particularly from 132 - 400kV.
• Strong expertise in PLS CADD and Tower design software, exposure to Auto CAD and drawing packages.
• In‑depth understanding of UK utility technical standards, grid codes and regulatory frameworks.

Qualifications

• Minimum BEng in Electrical Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng, IET) or working towards chartership.
• Experience working with UK Transmission Operators.

Preferred Qualifications

• OHL CDAE/LCDAE in UK National Grid Projects.
• BP141 Authorisation in OHL.
• Understanding / Experience in EirGrid, SSE requirements / Projects.

Legal Statement

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.