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