- Location: Ireland
- Voltage Levels: LV, MV, HV and EHV, including 38kV-400kV
- Sector: Power Infrastructure, Grid Connections and Renewable Energy
- Employment Type: Permanent
Overhead Lines Design Engineer - Transmission, Distribution & Renewables
- Location: Ireland
- Voltage Levels: LV, MV, HV and EHV, including 38kV-400kV
- Sector: Power Infrastructure, Grid Connections and Renewable Energy
- Employer: Leading HV Contractor
- Employment Type: Permanent
Why Join?
- Join a leading HV contractor delivering critical grid infrastructure across Ireland.
- Work on overhead line projects spanning LV through to EHV networks.
- Support major wind, solar and battery storage grid connections.
- Gain exposure to the complete project lifecycle, from route development through commissioning.
- Work alongside experienced multidisciplinary design and project delivery teams.
- Access long-term career development and professional accreditation support.
- Benefit from a competitive salary and benefits package.
- Join a strong pipeline of transmission, distribution and renewable energy projects.
Overhead Lines Design Engineer Opportunity
A leading HV contractor is seeking an experienced Overhead Lines Design Engineer to join its engineering team in Ireland. The successful candidate will support the design and delivery of overhead line infrastructure across LV, MV, HV and EHV transmission and distribution networks.
The position will cover new-build overhead lines, network upgrades, line diversions, refurbishments and grid connections for wind farms, solar farms and Battery Energy Storage Systems. The Overhead Lines Design Engineer will support projects from initial route assessment and concept design through planning, tender, construction, commissioning and final handover.
This is an excellent opportunity to work on major ESB Networks and EirGrid projects while contributing to the continued development of Ireland's grid and renewable energy infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities of the Overhead Line Design Engineer
Design and Engineering
- Prepare overhead line designs for LV, MV, HV and EHV power infrastructure projects.
- Produce route assessments, design calculations, drawings, specifications and technical reports.
- Undertake pole and tower spotting, line profiling, sag and tension calculations and conductor selection.
- Complete conductor clearance, blowout, uplift and mechanical loading assessments.
- Produce plan and profile drawings, route alignment drawings, structure schedules and crossing schedules.
- Develop detailed design packages suitable for planning, tender, construction and as-built stages.
- Use topographical, LiDAR and survey data to develop accurate overhead line models.
- Review project specifications, technical standards, Employer's Requirements and client documentation.
- Support the selection of poles, towers, conductors, insulators, earth wires, OPGW and associated line hardware.
- Coordinate overhead line interfaces with substations, underground cables and telecommunications systems.
- Support renewable energy grid connection projects, including wind, solar and battery storage developments.
- Identify design risks and value-engineering opportunities while maintaining safety, quality and operational requirements.
Project Delivery
- Support overhead line projects throughout the full lifecycle, from concept and planning through construction, commissioning and handover.
- Coordinate design activities to ensure programme milestones and project deliverables are achieved.
- Manage design changes, technical queries and requests for information.
- Attend design reviews and participate in project meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
- Review supplier drawings, material submissions and technical documentation.
- Provide technical support to construction and commissioning teams.
- Assist with the resolution of design issues arising during project delivery.
- Review red-line drawings and support the production of final as-built documentation.
- Identify scope changes and potential variations, advising project management and commercial teams accordingly.
Stakeholder Management
- Liaise with clients, utility providers, local authorities, landowners and other project stakeholders.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across Civil, Structural, Power Systems, Environmental, Survey and Planning disciplines.
- Participate in route walkovers, constructability reviews and technical workshops.
- Communicate design requirements and constraints clearly to project stakeholders.
- Assist with tender and bid submissions by providing technical design input, resource estimates and cost-related information.
Compliance and Quality
- Ensure overhead line designs comply with applicable:
- ESB Networks standards.
- EirGrid standards.
- IEC standards.
- ENA Engineering Recommendations.
- Irish and European legislation and regulations.
- Adhere to company Quality, Health and Safety and Environmental Management Systems.
- Support compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 requirements.
- Ensure appropriate design checks, reviews and approvals are completed before formal issue.
- Maintain accurate design records, calculations and supporting technical documentation.
- Promote a strong safety-first culture throughout the overhead line design process.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the design function.
- Maintain awareness of industry developments, new technologies and overhead line design innovations.
Construction and Site Support
- Undertake site visits, route walkovers and surveys as required.
- Provide technical support to construction teams throughout project delivery.
- Review construction work packs and technical submissions before site activities commence.
- Participate in site meetings, inspections and design reviews.
- Respond to site queries and support the resolution of construction-related design issues.
- Verify that completed works meet the approved design intent and project requirements.
- Support line stringing, inspection, testing, commissioning and energisation activities where required.
Necessary Requirements of the Overhead Line Design Engineer
- Degree in Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or a related discipline.
- At least three years' experience in overhead line design, utility infrastructure or power engineering projects.
- Experience designing overhead line networks within transmission or distribution environments.
- Experience producing technical drawings, engineering calculations, specifications and design reports.
- Strong understanding of overhead line design principles, including pole and tower spotting, sag-tension calculations, conductor selection and statutory clearances.
- Knowledge of renewable energy infrastructure and grid connection projects.
- Understanding of ESB Networks, EirGrid or comparable utility design requirements.
- Ability to interpret topographical surveys, LiDAR data, route information and geotechnical reports.
- Strong technical problem-solving and analytical capabilities.
- Excellent communication, coordination and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple design deliverables and project priorities.
- Full clean driving licence.
- Full working rights in Ireland.
Desirable Experience
- Experience delivering grid connections for:
- Wind farms.
- Solar farms.
- Battery Energy Storage Systems.
- Working knowledge of PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, TOWER or equivalent overhead line design software.
- Familiarity with AutoCAD, MicroStation or comparable design platforms.
- Experience designing overhead lines at 38kV, 110kV, 220kV or 400kV.
- Experience with new-build lines, network uprating, line diversions and refurbishment projects.
- Knowledge of planning, consenting and land access processes for utility infrastructure.
- Experience supporting overhead line construction, stringing, inspection and energisation activities.
- Previous experience working on ESB Networks or EirGrid projects.
- Chartered Engineer status or progression towards professional accreditation with Engineers Ireland.