Senior Design Engineer - CAD (Civils)

SP MANWEB PLC; Prenton; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

36 days annual leave

Share Incentive Plan

Private medical insurance

Pension with company match

Job summary

SP Energy Networks is hiring a Senior Design Engineer (CAD Technician) based in Prenton, with hybrid and flexible working. The role focuses on civil/structural drawings for substations across the 132kV network and supports BIM workflows and digital engineering initiatives.

The candidate should have an HNC in Civil Engineering or Eng Tech, 7+ years of experience, strong AutoCAD skills, and a driving licence. Benefits include a comprehensive package and 37-hour week schedule.

Qualifications

• Essential HNC in Civil Engineering or Eng Tech qualification.
• Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD, including the use of XREFs.
• A sound understanding of construction methods and forms of civil engineering construction.
• Extensive experience producing civil and structural drawings (min 7 years).

Responsibilities

• Producing and maintaining civil and structural layouts, general arrangement drawings, sections and detailed drawings.
• Preparing concrete reinforcement drawings and schedules.
• Liaising with civil engineers to develop integrated design solutions.
• Reviewing and checking drawings.
• Ensuring quality and accuracy of outputs.
• Managing drawing registers, revisions and document control.
• Mentoring junior CAD Technicians and Designers.
• Supporting BIM workflows and digital engineering initiatives.

Skills

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

BIM software

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Driving licence

Education

HNC in Civil Engineering or Eng Tech

Tools

Civil 3D

BIM software

Job description

Senior Design Engineer – CAD (Civils)

Location: Prenton, Merseyside with hybrid and flexible working. Salary: £55,000 - £68,750 plus excellent benefits package. Contract Type: Permanent | 37 hours per week. Closing Date: 21st September 2026.

Create a better future, quicker! At SP Energy Networks, we're playing a central role in delivering the UK's transition to Net Zero. As we continue to invest in our electricity network, we're undertaking a significant programme of infrastructure projects to improve network resilience, increase capacity, and support the communities and businesses we serve. We are looking for a Senior Design Engineer (CAD Technician) to join our SP Manweb team based in Prenton. Reporting into the Civil Engineering Design team, you will be responsible for preparing civil and structural engineering drawings for new substations and modifications to existing assets across our 132kV network. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to major network investment projects while helping to drive innovation and best practice in digital engineering and design.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Senior Design Engineer, your responsibilities will include:

• Producing and maintaining civil and structural layouts, general arrangement drawings, sections and detailed drawings.
• Preparing concrete reinforcement drawings and schedules.
• Liaising with civil engineers and other disciplines to develop coordinated and integrated design solutions.
• Reviewing and checking drawings completed by other team members.
• Ensuring the quality, consistency and accuracy of all technical outputs.
• Managing drawing registers, revisions and document control processes.
• Providing technical guidance and mentoring to junior CAD Technicians and Designers.
• Supporting the implementation and ongoing development of BIM workflows as necessary, standards and digital engineering initiatives.
• Contributing to continuous improvement activities across the design function.

What You’ll Bring

Essential HNC in Civil Engineering or Eng Tech qualification. Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD, including the use of XREFs. A sound understanding of construction methods and common forms of civil engineering construction. Extensive experience producing civil and structural engineering drawings, with minimum 7 years' experience. Excellent attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality technical drawings. Strong communication and collaboration skills. Good numeracy and computer skills. Proven problem-solving ability. Ability to work effectively within a team environment and meet project deadlines. Full UK driving licence. Desirable Experience working within the electrical transmission or distribution industry. Experience using Civil 3D and other BIM software.

What We Look For

• A proactive and collaborative approach.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• A commitment to continuous improvement.
• The ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining quality standards.
• Enthusiasm for digital innovation and modern engineering practices.

What’s in it for you

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy several other benefits. With our pension scheme, we’ll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%. At Scottish Power, we believe it's the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family's wellbeing, save for your future, and take personal steps for climate action – our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world – today and tomorrow. That's why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave
• Holiday purchase – perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave
• Share Incentive Plan and Sharesave Scheme
• Payroll giving and charity matched funding
• Technology Vouchers – save more and spread the cost of your technology purposes
• Count us in – pledge to reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change
• Electric Vehicle Schemes – to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and public transport season ticket loans
• Options to purchase dental insurance, private medical insurance, health cash plan and annual health assessments
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Access to 'nudge' financial wellbeing support
• Plus, shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why SP Energy Networks

SP Energy Networks is part of ScottishPower and of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world's largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses through Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and in the North West of England. We have 30,000 substations (1 for every 100 customers), 40,000km overhead lines (that's once around the globe!) and 65,000km underground cables. It's a role that puts us right at the heart of ScottishPower's ambition to be Net Zero by 2035. And we're taking it very seriously. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation. Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you'll fit right in.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose

We are committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to [e-mail].

Mobility

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country. If/when required, the Company will support the employee with the necessary Immigration requirements.

IMPORTANT Advert will close at 23:59 GMT the day before Job Posting End Date below September‑21‑2026

We are one of the main energy companies in the world, a leader in renewables, which champions the energy transition towards a low-emissions economy. We supply energy to nearly 100 million people in dozens of countries and develops its renewable, network and commercial activities in Europe (Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and Greece), the United States, Brazil and Australia and maintains markets such as Japan and Poland, among others, as growth platforms.