Lead Engineer - Civils

Lead Engineer - Civils

Edinburgh Park

Salary from £60,800 to £76,000 per annum plus excellent benefits

Flexible Hybrid Working

Closing Date: 10 June 2026

SP Energy Networks (SPEN) will be delivering over £10 bn of investment in the GB electricity grid over the next 5 years, contributing to the UK’s target of Net Zero. A major part of this is the delivery of the western Link 2 HVDC link in joint venture with National Grid.

SPEN are currently recruiting a Lead Engineer (Civils) to join the Western Link 2 (WL2) project team to oversee the Engineering Design function for Civils. The postholder will be responsible for developing and delivering Civil and Structural engineering solutions, from feasibility to detailed engineering design of WL2 and leading the Civil Engineering assessment of the contract bids for the Western Link 2 and other portfolio of projects across all relevant network interfaces.

Within this role, the Lead Engineer manages projects of greater value and complexity, coaching and mentoring peers and developing less experienced staff within the department or project team. This will include promoting innovation, offering effective technical support and advice, coaching and input throughout the lifecycle of a portfolio of other projects.

• Manages and is responsible for civil engineering scope of works from concept to completion, providing technical direction, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with engineering standards and regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for the development of pre‑contract design and delivery of project by leading the technical aspects of civil and structural engineering design works e.g. access roads, concrete foundations, piling, retaining structures, steelwork and buildings, etc.
• Perform all duties with and promote internally and externally a strong emphasis on health, safety, quality and environmental compliance, sustainability and continuous improvement.
• Responsible for providing technical assessment, and review of the tender submissions, and detailed designs and reporting recommendations to Engineering Section Head.
• Review and approve engineering documentation, feasibility and compliance with client requirements.
• Recommend and review construction techniques, sequence of works and input to construction programme of works where required in relation to civil/structural works.
• Identify and review industry‑leading or innovative solutions to reduce whole life carbon.
• Ensure civil engineering designs and specifications are developed in accordance with current legislation, policies, operational requirements, PAS 2080 and BS 8001 philosophy.
• Lead the technical resolution of site or construction issues, analyse common faults and prevent re‑occurrence.
• Represent SPT nationally and internationally on working groups, seminars and industry forums or similar and be seen as a specialist/expert within the field of Transmission HVDC Civil Engineering.
• Act as the key technical interface with EPC and OEM contractors.
• Support Engineering Section Heads in the development of national and international standards or other regulatory matters related to civil or structural engineering to reflect the requirements of SPT and clients.

• Preferably a Chartered Engineer or working towards.
• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering discipline.
• Proven significant experience and knowledge in a responsible position in civil or structural engineering design works for electrical network transmission projects.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to form effective working relationships with other individuals, departments and businesses.
• Ability to implement, apply and promote CDM and Health & Safety best practice in a design environment.
• Working knowledge or previous experience in use of multi‑discipline BIM.
• The ability to plan and engineer conflicting requirements and meet challenging deadlines.
• To provide on‑site technical solutions to unforeseen engineering problems that mitigate programme slippage.
• Proven experience/expert knowledge in civil or structural design for the construction of electrical transmission networks at…