Overhead Line Technical Lead (Energy)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work policy

Flexible working arrangements

Training & Chartership support

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland seeks a Technical Lead for the Overhead Line design team. You will lead engineering activities, provide technical authority, and ensure safe, compliant, high‑quality solutions aligned with client requirements and industry standards.

The role combines strategic direction, team development and stakeholder engagement across UK&I Transmission Operators. A core part of the position is to ensure capability, governance and quality controls to deliver complex cable transmission

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience working with PLS CADD and Auto CAD drawing packages.
• In-depth understanding of UK utility technical standards and grid codes.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across OHL design and related portfolios from concept to commissioning.
• Set direction for design packages, ensuring technical integrity, constructability and compliance with utility standards.
• Drive quality, risk management and governance across design deliverables.
• Engage with stakeholders across UK&I Transmission Operators and external design houses.

Job description

Job Description

As the Technical Lead of the Overhead Line (OHL) design team, you will lead the engineering activities and are responsible for 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. The role combines technical leadership, strategic direction, team development, and engagement with key stakeholders across UK&I Transmission Operators. A core requirement of the role is to ensure the organisation has the right capability, capacity, governance and quality controls in place to deliver complex cable transmission projects to program, to budget and to standards.

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.

What We Will Be Looking For

• 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.

Preferences

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

Benefits

Work‑life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work‑life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

EEO 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.