Design Manager HV Substation Project

Location: Carlisle, CA1
Day Rate: Circa £400 per day
Contract: Initial contract until 8 November 2026, with potential extension
Working Pattern: Minimum 3 days per week on site
IR35 Status: Inside IR35

We are recruiting an experienced Design Manager to support a major high-voltage substation project in Carlisle.
You will be responsible for the end-to-end coordination and assurance of design activities, ensuring all design outputs are delivered safely, on time, to the required quality and in accordance with client specifications.

### Key Responsibilities

Develop, maintain and monitor the project design programme

Coordinate design activities with planning, procurement and construction teams

Lead multidisciplinary design reviews and technical coordination meetings

Ensure designs meet relevant client, industry and CDM requirements

Manage technical assurance submissions, hold points and gateway approvals

Maintain design change registers and manage early warnings and compensation events

Identify the impact of design changes on cost, programme and project risk

Manage RFIs, technical queries and design communications

Liaise with clients, designers, subcontractors and site delivery teams

Identify and manage temporary and permanent works design risks

Support tender and pre-construction activity where required

Promote lessons learned, standardisation and continuous improvement
### Essential Experience

At least 8 years’ experience in design management or a closely related role
Experience working on HV substation projects
Previous experience within the UK electricity transmission sector
Strong understanding of design assurance and technical governance
Experience managing multidisciplinary design teams and complex projects
Knowledge of NEC change-control processes, including early warnings and compensation events
Strong internal and external stakeholder management experience
Familiarity with National Grid processes, standards or assurance requirements
### Desirable

Degree in engineering, project management, construction management or a related discipline
National Grid substation authorisation or relevant persons status
Experience working to UK energy transmission and distribution specifications
Membership of a relevant professional body

Candidates must be able to attend the Carlisle site for a minimum of three days each week.
Please apply with an up-to-date CV outlining your HV substation and design management experience