Senior OHL Design Engineer

Freedom Group; Perth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is on the lookout for a Senior Overhead Line Design Engineer to join their dynamic Electrical Services Design Team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on technically complex overhead line projects that contribute to the UK's Net Zero targets. You will lead the design and development of high-voltage infrastructure, ensuring compliance with national standards while mentoring junior engineers. With a focus on innovation and quality, this position promises a rewarding career path in a supportive environment that values progression and personal development.

Benefits

Pension with employer contribution

Sick Pay

Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days

Private Medical Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible benefits including Dental Insurance

Gym Memberships

Travel Insurance

Tax Free Bikes

Qualifications

• Strong experience in OHL design and delivery within the power transmission industry.
• In-depth understanding of UK OHL design standards and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of OHL projects ensuring compliance with safety standards.
• Produce OHL design cost estimates and resource plans in response to tender requirements.

Skills

OHL design

Project management

Technical communication

Budgetary control

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PLS-CADD

PLS-POLE

PLS-TOWER

AutoCAD 3D

MicroStation

Job description

Perth - (Hybrid, Office, Site)
Permanent - Full Time
Competitive Salary + Car/ Car Allowance + Flexible Benefits

Summary

Freedom is seeking a Senior Overhead Line (OHL) Design Engineer to join our Electrical Services Design Team. Based in either Leeds or Stowmarket, you'll be involved in delivering technically complex OHL new build and refurbishment projects that support the UK’s Net Zero targets. Our work spans the entire energy system—generation, transmission, distribution, and storage.

This role requires strong technical expertise in OHL systems and experience in guiding multi-disciplinary teams. You will be instrumental in the design and successful delivery of high-voltage infrastructure, ensuring compliance with national standards and project requirements.

• Lead the design and development of OHL projects (11kV–400kV), ensuring compliance with technical and safety standards.
• Develop technical solutions and provide guidance on all aspects of OHL design including conductor sizing, insulator selection, lightning protection, structure and foundation design.
• Review and approve specifications, drawings, and calculations for accuracy and compliance.
• Produce OHL design cost estimates, resource plans, and delivery programmes in response to tender requirements.
• Undertake Construction Design Studies (CDS) for installation and construction methodologies.
• Define scope and manage site surveys, including topographical, profiling, geotechnical, and steelwork assessments.
• Liaise with clients, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure quality and timely delivery.
• Provide technical support to tenders and offer mentoring/training to junior engineers.
• Work within Freedom/NGB’s quality assurance framework or established project methodologies.
• Attend site visits, inspections, and stakeholder meetings as required.

What We’re Looking For

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Strong experience in OHL design and delivery within the power transmission and distribution industry.
• In-depth understanding of UK OHL design standards and regulations.
• Proficiency in producing technical designs, calculations, reports, and drawings.
• Experience with design software including PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, and PLS-TOWER.
• Solid knowledge of CDM 2015 and ESQCR regulations.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD 3D; experience with MicroStation is desirable.
• Strong project management and budgetary control experience.
• Clear communication skills with the ability to translate technical information to varied audiences.
• Experience with NEC or similar construction contract forms.
• Chartered Engineer status (or working towards chartership) is strongly encouraged.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

We are always evolving our benefits to ensure we're attracting and retaining great people. Some of what you can expect includes:

• Pension with a leading provider and employer contribution
• Sick Pay
• Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days
• Private Medical Insurance
• Free 24/7 365 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and well-being (including counselling sessions and legal advice)
• Flexible benefits to suit from Dental Insurance, Gym Memberships, Give As You Earn, Travel Insurance, Tax Free Bikes

Next Steps

As a business, we’re on a journey to build on our culture where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. This starts with recruitment and how we bring people into the organisation.

We’ll do our best to outline the recruitment process to you ahead of time with plenty of notice. If you require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.

About Us

Freedom are part of the NG Bailey Group, one of the leading independent engineering and services businesses in the UK. Founded in 1921, with a turnover of £500m and 3000 employees, we are proud of our history of developing great people through our investment in training.

You will be working as part of a team where we are committed to creating a culture where we treat each other fairly and with respect, recognising everyone as an individual.

Progression is something we value and we will make sure that when you join us you have a clearly defined development path, supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support to enable you to be the best you can be.