Senior Overhead Line Design Engineer - Great Grid Upgrade

About Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world. Arup delivers transmission and distribution design projects globally. In the UK, we work across the full project lifecycle, from initial concepts through to detailed design, supporting a wide range of clients including established asset owners and new market entrants such as interconnectors and private wire schemes. As part of this, Arup has formed a joint venture with AECOM as a design and consenting partner for National Grid’s Great Grid Partnership. Over the coming decade, this programme will play a key role in modernising the UK’s electricity network, enabling the connection of renewable energy and supporting the transition to net zero. These projects form part of the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) programme, helping to strengthen the UK’s energy infrastructure and deliver a more resilient, low‑carbon network for the future. Roles are available across multiple UK office locations.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Senior Overhead Line (OHL) Design Engineer to join our growing transmission and distribution team. This role is suited to engineers with proven experience in overhead line design who are ready to take on increased responsibility in project delivery and technical leadership. You will lead and deliver OHL design packages across a range of voltage levels (typically 33kV–400kV+), working within multidisciplinary teams on major infrastructure projects including the Great Grid Partnership. You will play a key role in shaping technical solutions, supporting junior engineers, and ensuring high-quality, compliant design outputs.

• Lead the preparation and checking of feasibility studies, design reports, and technical documentation.
• Deliver and oversee detailed OHL design activities including routing, profiling, and design calculations.
• Produce and review drawings, models, and digital design outputs using relevant CAD and specialist tools.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders to deliver integrated design solutions.
• Support the management of project deliverables to programme, budget, and quality requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior engineers.
• Contribute to continuous improvement, innovation, and digital design approaches within the team.

Is this role right for you?

We are interested in candidates with demonstrated experience in overhead line design and a strong understanding of transmission and distribution projects. You are likely to have experience in:

• OHL design principles across EHV systems (33kV–400kV+).
• Tools such as PLS-CADD and other industry‑standard design software.
• Sag & tension calculations, line profiling, and routing optimisation.
• Structural concepts relating to towers, foundations, and line components.
• Engineering design delivery within consultancy or contractor environments.
• Technical checking and assurance of design outputs.

You will also demonstrate:

• The ability to take ownership of technical deliverables and contribute to project leadership.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage clients and stakeholders.
• A collaborative approach and willingness to support team development.

We are looking for:

• A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Chartered or working towards within 12 months.
• Experience in overhead line design within transmission and distribution.
• Progression towards professional qualification (e.g. working towards or recently achieved chartership).
• Strong technical, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• The ability to work independently while contributing to a wider team.
• Experience in consultancy or major infrastructure projects is highly desirable.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do. We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts. We also provide Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Accident Insurance and Income Protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and individual needs.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application and for the duration of employment. Any offer made will be subject to satisfactory proof of immigration status.