Grid & Primary Design Manager

This Design Manager position requires a senior level design individual with specific 33kV to 132kV substation design experience. Some hybrid working is available, with part of the week working from our client's Northeast office, the rest working from home.

Our client wishes to appoint a Grid & Primary Design Manager to enable them to fully deliver their schemes and contracts. They seek an innovative, passionate and industry experienced professional to work on multiple projects from initial concept and feasibility through to procurement specification, construction and commissioning. We are looking for a talented professional to lead a multi-faceted design team working on critical grid and primary substation projects.

Our client is responsible for the construction, maintenance, upkeep, renewal, refurbishment and repair of electricity transmission and distribution networks, assets and systems. This includes substations, overhead lines, underground cables, and all associated plant and equipment such as switchgear and transformers.

The Role

• To manage, and oversee, all aspects of design (from outline to detail) during the project lifecycle including design, planning, approval, construction, commissioning and handover.
• 33kV and up to 132kV design and development of Grid and Primary substations experience.
• Approve pre-manufacturing drawings and ensure compliance with specifications.
• Sign off/authorise protection studies and ensure systems are secure and reliable.
• Sign off/authorise design of block cable diagrams, set files, and key line diagrams.
• Working closely with the Project Managers, Construction Managers (and Engineers) and Design Team to ensure that all 132/33kV projects achieve their objectives on time, including cost and quality at each key milestone stage, and meet the agreed program requirements.
• To ensure business processes and systems are aligned to obtain maximum performance, and that all projects are managed using appropriate company systems.
• Must establish and maintain a flexible and adaptable approach to change, being able to respond rapidly and develop creative solutions.
• Responsible for providing accurate information for a range of projects under your control.
• Develop project designs within agreed dates.
• Manage project designs within agreed budgets and programmes.
• Willingness to travel and participate in site meetings when necessary.
• Liaise, manage and approve 3rd party design resource inputs into projects.
• Manage a team of multi-faceted Design Engineers possessing various levels of experience.

The Person

• Possess an HNC or equivalent qualification.
• Applicants should hold a full UK driving licence and be willing to travel if required.
• Ability to identify and allocate technical elements of projects to the members of the team and third party providers by possessing the technical experience to dissect a project.
• Be the customer focal point for technical aspects of projects.
• Expertise in overall design management of 33kV to 132kV UG or OHL projects.
• Expertise in primary substation design (11kV to 132 kV including plant specification).
• Awareness and understanding of major plant items (Transformers and Circuit Breakers etc.).
• Sign off of Protection & Control designs, including specifications for plant and equipment.
• Experienced with electrical engineering design and practices.
• Possess good knowledge of an electricity distribution business in a lead role.
• Experience of CDM regulations relating to utility projects.
• Experience in planning and designing of 132kV substations and 132kV private connections.
• Competency in assisting with procurement and approving pre-manufacturing drawings.
• Ability to design and draw block cable diagrams, set files, and key line diagrams.
• Working knowledge and experience of ETAP and DigSilent (or similar), along with AutoCAD.
• To hold (or ability to obtain) Sub Station Access Authorisation.

A highly attractive remuneration package is on offer for this Grid & Primary Design Manager, coupled with career progression, along with challenging variety, security and longevity of work.