HV Critical Systems Director in Manchester

Your new role

As our new Technical Director - Critical Systems , you will play a pivotal role in leading and developing Ramboll's electrical design capability across the Industrial, Healthcare, Government, Marine, and infrastructure sectors .

You will provide specialist expertise in High Voltage (HV) systems up to 33 kV , Low Voltage (LV) networks, and critical power systems including UPS and standby generation . You will also guide clients in improving resilience, redundancy, and reliability , while supporting the decarbonisation and electrification of private networks.

Your work will cover the full lifecycle of private power distribution systems, from concept and feasibility studies through detailed design, commissioning, and operational optimisation.

Key areas of focus

• Design and specification of HV substations up to 33 kV, including switchgear selection, transformer sizing, protection coordination, and earthing system design .
• Production and review of single-line diagrams (SLDs) and network protection studies , ensuring compliance with ENA, IEC, and BS standards .
• Technical leadership for resilient electrical systems , incorporating redundancy topologies (N+1, 2N) and mitigation of single points of failure .
• Guidance on private HV network connections to Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), including G99/G100 compliance , load flow analysis , and fault level management .
• Supporting clients in future-proofing their electrical infrastructure for low-carbon technologies such as battery storage, renewable integration, and electric vehicle charging.
• Leading technical assurance and governance to maintain the highest standards of quality across all electrical deliverables.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Act as the UK electrical subject matter expert for all Critical Systems projects up to 33 kV.
• Lead concept, feasibility, and detailed designs for HV and LV power distribution systems in mission-critical and industrial environments.
• Develop and review equipment specifications , protection philosophies , and earthing and bonding designs .
• Undertake and review network modelling and analysis , including: Protection coordination studies
• Short-circuit and fault level calculations
• Load flow and power quality studies
• Arc flash hazard analysis and mitigation strategies
• Use and oversee studies using ETAP, Trimble, or equivalent power system analysis software .
• Provide technical due diligence and assurance on electrical infrastructure projects.
• Support energy resilience and decarbonisation planning , integrating renewables and backup systems within client estates.
• Collaborate with other Ramboll disciplines to deliver integrated, sustainable, and technically robust solutions.

Your new team

You will join a skilled, multi-disciplinary technical team working alongside project managers and engineers across multiple offices and regions. You'll be the go-to authority on HV systems and resilient electrical design , supporting colleagues in delivering technically excellent and sustainable outcomes for clients.

Our team's mission is to improve the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of electrical infrastructure while supporting the UK's net-zero transition . We work across the project lifecycle - from feasibility studies through to detailed design, commissioning, and operational optimisation .

About you

From the moment you start at Ramboll, we'll support your professional development and continued learning through access to our global networks and technical communities.

For this role, success will come from a combination of deep technical expertise , leadership capability , and commercial awareness .

Qualifications and skills that will set you up for success

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline, with experience in HV and LV design.
• Proven experience in private HV networks up to 33 kV , including substation design, switchgear specification, and protection coordination.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, ideally with the IET .
• Proficiency in power system analysis software such as ETAP, Trimble or equivalent .
• Demonstrated capability in protection studies, fault analysis, load flow, and arc flash assessments .
• Strong understanding of resilience and redundancy architectures (N+1, 2N) and their application to critical systems.
• Experience with DNO interfaces , G99 compliance , and relevant ENA standards .
• Knowledge of low-carbon and energy transition technologies , including battery energy storage systems (BESS) and renewable integration.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to tr