Senior Design Manager - Electrical - Power

Laing O'Rourke group; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure firm is seeking a Senior Electrical Design Manager to oversee design management for high-voltage substations in Birmingham. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring compliance and safety while engaging with clients and stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have experience in electrical design and substation delivery, alongside strong communication skills. Flexible working is offered as part of a diverse and inclusive team dedicated to shaping a sustainable energy future.

Benefits

Opportunities for personal growth

Flexible working

Access to Technical Leadership Framework

Qualifications

• Experienced Design Manager or Senior Engineer with a strong grounding in electrical design and substation delivery (132kV–400kV).
• Familiar with multi-stakeholder design processes and exposure to National Grid or distribution infrastructure.
• Based within easy reach of Birmingham.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate design of high-voltage substation packages.
• Drive collaboration and quality across multi-disciplinary design teams.
• Oversee design assurance, risk management and constructability reviews.
• Provide technical leadership through the detailed design phase.
• Represent the company at design coordination meetings.

Skills

Electrical design

Substation delivery

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Job description

Senior Electrical Design Manager – Extra High Voltage / EHV / Substations

📍 Based from Birmingham | Regular travel to Stafford & Chesterfield

At Laing O'Rourke, we're rethinking the way energy infrastructure is delivered — combining engineering excellence, modern methods of construction and digital design to help power the UK's energy transition.

We're looking for an experienced Senior Design Manager (Electrical) to lead the design management of the HV packages for Chesterfield Substation, one of several major schemes being delivered as part of our Electricity Design & Engineering Unit (EDEU) portfolio.

What you'll do:

• Lead and coordinate the design of high‑voltage substation packages, managing interfaces between GE‑V (delivery partner) and WSP (lead design consultant).

• Drive collaboration and quality across multi‑disciplinary design teams – primarily based in Stafford and Birmingham – ensuring alignment with programme, client and regulatory requirements.

• Oversee design assurance, risk management and constructability reviews, ensuring that the design is safe, compliant and ready for smooth transition into construction.

• Provide technical leadership through the detailed design phase, supporting delivery as the project moves to site in mid‑2026.

• Represent Laing O'Rourke at design coordination meetings, technical reviews and client discussions.

Who you are:

• An experienced Design Manager or Senior Engineer with a strong grounding in electrical design and substation delivery (132kV–400kV).

• Comfortable leading complex multi‑stakeholder design processes – ideally with exposure to National Grid, transmission or distribution infrastructure.

• Confident engaging with design consultants, OEMs and clients, with excellent coordination and communication skills.

• Based within easy reach of Birmingham, with flexibility to visit Stafford and Chesterfield (both around 1 hour away).

Why Laing O'Rourke:

Join a business that's delivering the infrastructure critical to the UK's energy future. You'll work alongside passionate engineers and project leaders shaping the next generation of sustainable power solutions.

We offer a culture built on care, courage and integrity, with opportunities for personal growth, flexible working, and access to world‑class development through our Technical Leadership Framework.

Inclusion matters:

We are a Disability Confident Level 3 employer and proud to be building an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Apply now to be part of the team powering the UK's energy future.

#LI-KW1