Associate Director – Lead Contractor Design Approval Engineer in Leeds

Let's secure the future of energy. AtkinsRéalis specialises in all aspects of Transmission and Distribution engineering within the UK and internationally. We provide industry-leading design and engineering solutions across the Transmission and Distribution sector, including substations, overhead lines, underground and subsea cable systems, offshore wind, solar, BESS and HVDC interconnectors.

We are seeking Lead Contractor Design Approval Engineers (LCDAEs) with the competence, judgement and experience to provide formal design approval in accordance with National Grid procedures, relevant technical standards and UK Construction (Design and Management) Regulations. Become part of a team where every voice matters, and together we can tackle our clients’ toughest challenges. We foster a diverse and inclusive environment where world-class talent thrives without boundaries. For us, collaboration is not a buzzword. We value the different perspectives our people bring and recognise everyone for their contributions equally. We also know that different people have different priorities, which is why we’re here to support you with whatever you need.

We offer hybrid working, which involves travel/office-based working 3 days per week. This position can be based at any of our key locations: Epsom, London, Bristol, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, or Glasgow. Other locations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Your role: You will provide senior technical leadership and independent design assurance on Transmission and Distribution projects, acting as LCDAE for nominated schemes, disciplines or asset areas. You will confirm that design deliverables are properly developed, checked, reviewed and approved in line with National Grid procedures, relevant standards, CDM Regulations and AtkinsRéalis governance requirements.

• Act as LCDAE for allocated projects, providing assurance that designs are developed, checked and reviewed by competent persons and comply with applicable National Grid procedures, AtkinsRéalis engineering standards, safety legislation and project governance arrangements.
• Lead or contribute to interdisciplinary design reviews, hazard reviews, technical risk reviews and approval meetings, ensuring decisions, assumptions, departures, concessions and residual risks are recorded and closed out.
• Review and approve key deliverables, including calculations, specifications, drawings, design risk assessments, technical submissions and assurance evidence.
• Ensure design risks are identified, assessed, mitigated and communicated in accordance with CDM Regulations, demonstrating how hazards have been eliminated, reduced or controlled.
• Work collaboratively with project managers, design managers, CDAEs, engineers, construction teams, clients, asset owners, suppliers and other stakeholders to resolve technical issues and support timely design acceptance.
• Provide clear technical direction, assurance comments and approval conditions, ensuring comments are proportionate, traceable and closed out before design release or construction implementation.
• Support continuous improvement of design assurance processes, approval workflows, technical standards and quality arrangements across the practice.
• Mentor CDAEs, design engineers and reviewers, strengthening technical capability, assurance consistency and succession planning for approval roles.
• Act as a senior point of escalation for complex design assurance matters, supporting safe, compliant and commercially balanced outcomes.

About you: You will bring recognised technical authority, sound engineering judgement and demonstrable competence to act as an LCDAE on complex Transmission and Distribution projects. You will be confident providing formal approval, constructive challenge and clear technical leadership, helping teams deliver safe, compliant, practical and high-quality design solutions.

• Degree qualified in electrical engineering, civil engineering or another relevant engineering discipline, with Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional registration.
• Demonstrable competence to act as an LCDAE in accordance with National Grid procedures, including formal design approval for nominated disciplines, assets or project areas.
• Significant experience in the design, review, checking, assurance or delivery of Transmission and Distribution infrastructure across one or more relevant asset areas.
• Strong understanding of CDM Regulations, UK safety legislation, technical standards, client procedures, engineering specifications, design risk management and quality requirements.
• Ability to review and approve complex technical deliverables, including calculations, drawings, specifications, design risk assessments, technical submissions, departures, concessions and interface information.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to provide technical direction, challenge constructively, resolve issues and influence project teams, clients, contractors and asset owners.
• Experience mentoring engineers, CDAEs and reviewers, supporting capability development, assurance consistency and succession planning for design approval roles.

Desirable skills and experience include:

• A Master’s degree, specialist technical qualification or membership of a relevant professional institution such as the IET, ICE or IMechE.
• Experience contributing technical authority input to bids, proposals, mobilisation activities, framework opportunities or governance reviews.
• Awareness of constructability, operability, maintainability, sustainability, environmental legislation, waste management and whole-life asset performance.

Rewards & benefits: Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Additional information: This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.