Principal Designer / Design Manager (Energy)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work policy

Wellbeing programmes

Inclusive culture

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Principal Designer in the Networks Engineering team to lead safe delivery of HV and EHV substation projects, providing CDM leadership and design governance from concept through construction.

You will oversee multi-disciplinary design teams, manage design risk, review specifications, and ensure compliance with regulations, client requirements, and budget objectives across 11kV to 132kV assets.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Electrical Engineering with HV/EHV experience.
• Proven experience as Principal Designer under the CDM regulations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary design teams through lifecycle stages.
• Strong knowledge of HV/EHV substations including AIS and GIS (11kV–132kV).
• Experience designing substations, reinforcement, refurbishment and retrofit projects.
• Ability to review and assure designs to meet regulatory, technical and client requirements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Undertake the statutory role of CDM Principal Designer for HV/EHV projects.
• Lead and coordinate the project design phase with multidisciplinary teams.
• Oversee development and review of technical specifications for substation work.
• Ensure design solutions are robust, buildable, maintainable and compliant.
• Manage the design risk process and communicate health and safety risks.
• Review designs to ensure compliance with legislation, standards and client specs.
• Prepare pre-construction information and support Health and Safety File development.
• Chair design review meetings, hazard workshops and stakeholder sessions.
• Provide design governance and assurance meeting quality and contract requirements.
• Support project delivery during construction with design leadership and changes.
• Monitor design performance against programme, quality, safety and commercial objectives.
• Develop relationships with clients, suppliers and internal teams as a trusted advisor on CDM and design management.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Communication

Design governance

CDM

HV/EHV design

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Job description

Overview

WSP offers a global scale, landmark projects, and a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can embrace curiosity and shape a unique career while contributing to projects that matter.

Role

The Networks Engineering team supports the UK’s largest electricity transmission and distribution organisations. As a Principal Designer you will lead the safe and successful delivery of HV and EHV substation projects, providing CDM leadership and design governance from concept through construction.

Responsibilities

• Undertake the statutory role of CDM Principal Designer for HV and EHV projects, ensuring compliance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.
• Lead and coordinate the project design phase, managing multidisciplinary design teams, suppliers, contractors and stakeholders for safe, coordinated and compliant delivery.
• Oversee the development and review of technical specifications and design deliverables for substation upgrades and new build projects from 11kV to 132kV.
• Ensure design solutions are technically robust, buildable, maintainable, and aligned with project requirements, programme objectives and budget constraints.
• Manage the design risk process, facilitating the identification, assessment, elimination, reduction and communication of foreseeable health, safety and operational risks.
• Review and challenge designs from internal teams, clients and suppliers to ensure compliance with legislation, standards and client specifications.
• Prepare, maintain and coordinate pre‑construction information and support the development of the Health and Safety File in accordance with CDM requirements.
• Chair and facilitate design review meetings, hazard workshops and stakeholder engagement sessions for effective communication and resolution of design issues.
• Provide design governance and assurance, ensuring outputs meet quality standards and contractual, regulatory and client requirements.
• Support project delivery during construction by providing design leadership, managing design changes and ensuring residual risks are assessed and communicated.
• Monitor and drive design performance against programme, quality, safety and commercial objectives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers and internal teams, acting as a trusted advisor on CDM and design management matters.

Qualifications

• Degree, HNC or equivalent in Electrical Engineering with significant experience in HV and EHV infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience undertaking the role of Principal Designer under the CDM Regulations.
• Demonstrable experience leading multidisciplinary design teams through all stages of the project design lifecycle.
• Strong technical knowledge of HV and EHV substations, including AIS and GIS installations from 11kV to 132kV.
• Experience managing the design of new substations, network reinforcement schemes, refurbishment and retrofit projects.
• Thorough understanding of relevant engineering standards, legislation and technical policies for HV and EHV substations.
• Experience facilitating design risk reviews, hazard identification workshops and ensuring risks are eliminated or reduced.
• Ability to review, challenge and assure designs to ensure compliance with legislative, regulatory, technical and client requirements.
• Experience engaging with clients, contractors, suppliers, regulatory bodies and stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
• Strong understanding of substation plant specifications, protection and control systems, cable systems and associated equipment.
• Experience preparing or reviewing cost estimates, design programmes and managing design deliverables to meet quality, commercial and programme objectives.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, coordinate and motivate project teams.

Benefits

Work‑life balance: hybrid working policy allows two days from home per week and collaboration in modern UK offices.

Inclusivity & Belonging: WSP embraces applicants from varied backgrounds and supports a culture of inclusion and belonging throughout the organisation.

Health & Wellbeing: Thrive programme, Virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, Gymflex scheme, and a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex Your Time: “WSP My Hour” gives one hour each day for personal activities, with time‑make‑up flexibility. Part‑time and flexible working arrangements, and the option to purchase additional leave or use bank holiday entitlement are also available.

Equal Opportunity

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.