Senior Development Engineer in Bellshill

OnPath Energy is one of the UK’s leading land-based renewable energy developers, committed to powering a sustainable future. We develop and operate onshore wind projects across the UK, managing every stage from site identification and planning to construction and operation. We already operate twelve wind farms delivering clean electricity to thousands of homes and businesses. Through our “OnPath Together” approach, we place people and planet into the heart of everything we do- building long-term partnerships, supporting biodiversity, and investing in community initiatives.

Join us and play a part in creating a greener future, together.

Senior Development Engineer

Location: Bellshill

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time

Package: Competitive package

Overall objectives

The Senior Development Engineer plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering OnPath Energy’s portfolio of onshore wind, solar and battery energy storage projects across the UK.

Reporting to the Head of Technical, the role provides technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle, from opportunity identification and project feasibility through development, consenting, pre-construction and delivery. The postholder will combine engineering expertise, commercial awareness and strategic thinking to unlock project value, manage technical risks and support investment decisions that contribute directly to the UK’s energy transition.

Working collaboratively across Development, Planning, Grid, Construction and Commercial teams, the Senior Development Engineer will influence project outcomes, manage specialist consultants and help create technically robust, commercially attractive and deliverable renewable energy projects. This is an opportunity to play a leading role in developing nationally significant clean energy infrastructure while helping shape technical best practice within a growing and ambitious renewable energy business.

Key duties & responsibilities

Initial project assessment – Working with the Business Development Team identify and secure profitable and deliverable development opportunities through to Key Review B, including:

• Providing technical assistance and advice to the Business Development and Project teams including, where agreed, providing initial outline site designs considering and highlighting design opportunity and constraints (e.g. access/transport, topography, aviation, flooding, ground conditions, telecom links, yield etc)
• Actively participate in project reviews to advise on the interpretation of technical information and assessment of risk, including provision of technical reports for Key Review stages A and B where applicable.
• Appointment and project management of expert 3rd party technical consultants where required to enhance the technical advice on prospects or projects.Interpretation and incorporation of consultants’ output within the wider project team.

Project development – Provide support to the Projects teams for the development of projects through to pre-construction stage, this service to include:

• Ensuring all technical risks are managed and successfully resolved in line with the project and business objectives
• Enabling best commercial value through site design in line with the project and business objectives.
• Deliver all necessary technical approvals and consents in line with agreed project programmes.
• Attending public exhibitions and providing technical input to public consultations.
• Participation in project reviews to advise on the interpretation of technical information.
• Work closely with the OnPath planning team in review and submission of planning application technical chapters and appendices.
• Appointment and project management of expert 3rd party technical consultants where required to enhance the technical advice on prospects or projects.Interpretation and incorporation of consultants’ output within the wider project team.
• General management of technical project budgets, preparation of forecasts and cashflows, programmes and cost estimates etc.

Project Delivery – Across a diverse portfolio of projects

• Liaise with the internal and external delivery team to resolve outstanding technical issues. Including liaising and facilitating interfaces between equipment suppliers, contractors, consultants and local authorities.
• Ensure all technical matters are resolved sufficient to allow financial close on time and on budget.
• Provide engineering expertise as required for the construction phase including during the tender process for equipment and contractors, commercial and contract negotiations, financial close due diligence and any other relevant aspects arising during the construction phase.

General technical

• Produce non-project specific technical reports, as required.
• Comply with all Health and Safety guidance and legislation (internal and external) in carrying out duties and responsibilities at any location.
• Develop and maintain internal technical team data databases and tools.
• Liaise with and support construction team with technical topics during construction phase.
• Support procurement with H&S and contractor assessment processes in relation to consultants, contractors, and sub-contractors.

Technical expertise

• Undertake preliminary desk top studies for Wind Farms, Solar & BESS Sites.
• Identify potential geotechnical/civil constraints and possible mitigation measures.
• Carry out initial swept path analysis for abnormal loads.
• Produce preliminary 2D site designs and working constraints in AutoCAD and GIS to give an understanding of site conditions.
• Support the wider team with identification and review of constraints and mitigation measures as well as providing advice on third party deliverables on projects such as: desk studies, mining reports, slope/rock stability, landslide assessments, foundations and borrow pit assessments, analysis of geospatial data etc.
• Review of consultants’ site investigation (SI) designs, scoping and tendering processes ensuring all work is undertaken to industry standards and contractually sound, including ensuring final factual and interpretative reporting is of sufficient quality and sufficient for BOP tenders.
• Develop initial drainage concepts and review detailed designs (designed by external consultants). This involves consulting with EA, SEPA and other statutory consultees where necessary.
• Public highway improvement concepts and the review of detailed designs (designed by consultants) to facilitate site access and the successful delivery of major components including road authority consultation and road construction consent submissions.
• Knowledge and ability to apply DMRB and Local Road Standards in order to assess or develop access solutions.
• Knowledge of mitigation solutions for abnormal load deliveries on structures (e.g. bridges, culverts), likely inspection requirements, Section 96/278 processes including liaison with local authorities and other stakeholders.

Working environment

The position is based at OnPath Energy’s Scottish office in Strathclyde Business Park, with travel to head office in Rainton Bridge and project sites.

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential:

• Degree in geotechnical or civil engineering or closely related engineering discipline.
• Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership application in the next 1-2 years.
• Experience within the renewable energy/engineering industry.
• Knowledge of renewable energy technologies.
• Knowledge of industry H&S safety policies and CDM.
• Experience of design and build contracts and NEC (or equivalent).
• Experience of public engagement initiatives.
• Proven experience of dealing with local authorities and statutory stakeholders.
• Commercial and supply chain (technology and consultant) awareness and appointment process.
• Experience writing engineering risk management reports/registers.
• Ability to produce robust budget estimates for project cashflows.
• Understanding and track record of working to the relevant industry core values.
• Full UK driving license.

Personal qualities/competencies

• Ability to work strategically, and able to manage day-to-day details.
• Proven track record of managing work programmes to critical deadlines, showcasing flexibility in adapting to changing priorities.
• Strong influencing skills, persuading third parties to think progressively in a rules-dominated industry, building alignment, and understanding, and effectively managing expectations of all internal stakeholders regarding project deliverability and risks.
• Proven ability to partner with internal customers, partners and stakeholders in a manner that results in mutually positive outcomes and credibility.
• Effective communication and influencing skills: concise report writing, the ability to communicate and persuade individuals as to the merits of a particular transaction.
• Ability to role model actions and behaviours consistent with the company values.
• Good judgement, showing logical decision making, and strong attention to detail.
• Resilience, with the ability to operate in a dynamic, challenging environment.
• A collaborative team player who works effectively under pressure and delivers high quality outcomes in line with deadlines.
• Proactive, with an enthusiastic attitude towards addressing the technical challenges facing OnPath Energy.
• Capable of independent thought and prepared to challenge current practice operating with a ‘growth’ mindset.
• Experience of leading, mentoring or developing colleagues, or the potential and ambition to take on future people leadership responsibilities.