Closing Date: 28 February 2026

As a Development Engineer, you will support major infrastructure projects through the early development lifecycle—from initial concept and site strategy formation through to financial sanction—before handover to project delivery teams. You will play a pivotal role in progressing nationally significant projects, including those essential to the UK’s decarbonisation strategy and future electricity transmission needs.

You will lead multi‑disciplinary investment teams, oversee optioneering and engineering development, and ensure that planned solutions are technically robust, cost‑efficient, safe, and aligned with stakeholder, client, and regulatory expectations. This role includes involvement in a major strategic reinforcement between Cumbria and Gateshead, upgrading the existing 275 kV Route to a 400 kV double circuit, including working on a Development Consent Order (DCO).

The project requires sensitive design and routing due to proximity to World Heritage Sites, national parks, and National Landscapes. You will support the early design stages of substation and transmission‑line development, acting in a consultancy-style capacity rather than design assurance, with occasional travel for key meetings.

Key Responsibilities

Project Development & Leadership

  • Lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary project teams, securing timely input from stakeholders and ensuring alignment on investment option selection and design development.
  • Appoint and manage internal and external engineering, environmental, consultant, and stakeholder groups.
  • Guide the project through setup, optioneering, FEED development, and early-stage engineering, ensuring readiness for financial sanction.
  • Support regulatory and governance processes including cost estimation, programme risk mitigation, innovation reviews, and type registration activities.

Technical & Engineering Responsibilities

  • Develop optimal, least-cost, efficient, and safe engineering solutions in line with CDM regulations and SHESQ priorities.
  • Provide technical feasibility assessments and steer the work of design consultants, facilitating engineering workshops, design reviews, hazard assessments, and risk reviews.
  • Support early substation and transmission design, ensuring compatibility with operational requirements, maintenance needs, and existing asset information.
  • Contribute to the design and routing of new overhead line infrastructure in sensitive environments, ensuring compliance with environmental and heritage constraints.
  • Monitor contractor activities to ensure adherence to SHES, CDM, environmental legislation, and National Grid engineering standards.

Consenting, Planning & External Interfaces

  • Support development consent and planning processes (including DCO), providing technical input, documentation support, and coordination with environmental consultants.
  • Liaise with third‑party stakeholders including other utilities, local authorities, regulatory bodies, and community representatives.
  • Contribute to the development of site strategies incorporating asset health, customer connection needs, and future system requirements.

Project Governance & Delivery Preparation

  • Prepare scope of works documentation and support tender evaluations.
  • Act as the Client’s Delegated Representative and, where appropriate, the Principal Designer.
  • Undertake additional duties as assigned by the Lead Project Manager to support delivery of the strategic reinforcement.

Experience Requirements

Interpersonal & Leadership

  • Strong stakeholder management experience, both internal and external.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams.
  • Customer‑centric approach and strong communication and business-writing skills.
  • Experience in supervisory, managerial, or team‑lead roles.

Technical & Specialist Experience

  • Proficient knowledge of the GB Electricity Transmission System, including OHLs, substations, and underground cables.
  • Experience with early‑stage development of high-voltage transmission projects.
  • Working knowledge and application of CDM, safety in design, and SHESQ requirements.
  • Understanding of the DCO consenting process and associated regulatory mechanisms.
  • Familiarity with business governance processes, risk management, and project controls.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree (or equivalent experience) in an engineering discipline.
  • Proven experience managing complex stakeholder relationships.
  • Proficiency in CDM, health & safety, and environmental legislation.
  • Right to Work in the UK.

Desirable

  • NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent.
  • Membership of IET, IAM, or progress toward Chartered status.

Location

Home based, with the option of working from Omnia offices (Stafford, Stockton Heath, Northallerton), as per project requirements. Must be willing to travel anywhere throughout the UK.

Working Hours

Full time.

Package

  • Competitive Salary, plus discretionary bonus.
  • Working hours of 40 hours per week. All overtime payable or time off in lieu (your choice) should you work more than this.
  • 22 days' holiday, plus bank holidays.
  • Private medical insurance.
  • Workplace pension.
  • Death in service.
  • Company car scheme.

To Apply

Please email a CV and covering letter to .