Design Manager

Location:

Northwest / North Wales (On-site / Hybrid)

Duration: 12+ Month Contract

Rate:
Competitive Daily Rate (Inside IR35)

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Senior Design Manager with specialist substation expertise to join a tier‑one engineering leader on their prestigious National Grid contract. In this role, you will take strategic lead over the design function for major, high‑voltage electrical infrastructure schemes across the Northwest and North Wales regions. This is a secure, long‑term contract position with a minimum 12‑month duration.

As Senior Design Manager, you will take full ownership of the design lifecycle from early contractor involvement (ECI) through to construction and final handover, ensuring all solutions meet stringent client standards.

Your day‑to‑day will involve:

• Design Leadership:
  Managing, mentoring, and coordinating multi‑disciplinary design teams and specialist consultants across civil, structural, and electrical engineering.
• Substation Delivery:
  Overseeing the engineering and design process specifically tailored to high‑voltage substations, transformers, and associated grid connection infrastructure.
• Programme & Risk:
  Driving the design programme to meet critical framework milestones, mitigating design risks, and ensuring optimal site buildability.
• Value Engineering:
  Interrogating technical solutions to optimise asset performance, minimise environmental impact, and drive cost‑saving efficiencies.
• Stakeholder Management:
  Acting as the primary design interface between internal delivery teams, the client's engineering representatives, and the wider supply chain.

• Substation Expertise:
  Extensive, proven experience working as a Design Manager or Senior Design Manager on National Grid or major high‑voltage substation projects is essential.
• Tier‑1 Contractor Foundation: A robust track record of delivering multi‑million‑pound engineering design packages within a main contractor, joint venture, or major utility framework.
• Technical Background: A degree or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Civil, or Structural Engineering, backed by strong technical literacy in power infrastructure.
• Commercial Awareness:
  Clear understanding of how design influences procurement, construction staging, and commercial contract frameworks (NEC).
• Location Ready:
  Commutable to the Northwest / North Wales regions for required on‑site reviews and collaborative client design workshops.

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.