Head of Engineering - Overhead Lines

Job Description

Overview

Let's secure the future of energy.

The Power Energy Systems (PES) Practice of AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Head of Engineering - Overhead Lines to join our team in the UK. We are looking for an energetic and experienced engineering leader who can both lead as a technical expert in the design of overhead line design projects, ranging from concept through to detailed design delivery, and drive business results. We’re committed to providing industry-leading engineering solutions right through the project lifecycle, from feasibility to commissioning, with value added through client-side support as well as the construction phase. Our team is currently delivering work across the Transmission and Distribution sector in the UK, as well as supporting other energy and infrastructure business sectors. By providing technical leadership across the organisation you’ll drive results, by contributing to functional strategy, influencing senior stakeholders, and leading within the OHL group and multidisciplinary project teams, to deliver measurable outcomes. In this role, you will set direction for complex, high-impact projects and initiatives, anticipate business and regulatory challenges or changes, and develop innovative solutions and offerings that move the business forward. Become part of a team where every voice matters, and together we can tackle our clients’ toughest challenges. We foster a diverse and inclusive environment where world-class talent thrives without boundaries.

For us, collaboration isn’t a buzzword.  We value the different perspectives our people bring and recognise everyone for their contributions equally. We also know that different people have different priorities, which is why we’re here to support you with whatever you need. Being a Head of Engineering with us involves UK-wide travel. We offer hybrid working which involves three days per week travelling/office-based. This position can be based at any of our key locations: Epsom, London, Bristol, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, or Glasgow. Other locations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Your role

The Head of Engineering for OHL will be accountable for engineering design and management, leading a team to deliver high-quality solutions while ensuring compliance with project and company requirements.  This is a senior appointment where the candidate will report to the Engineering Delivery Manager. The successful candidate would have the following responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership across OHL design projects, typically up to 400 kV, acting as the recognised expert and technical authority within the PES Practice and the wider AtkinsRéalis business.
• Develop the OHL delivery strategy and provide technical assurance across a growing portfolio of front-end and detailed design projects, ensuring robust engineering governance and the consistent application of best practice.
• Influence practice-wide initiatives and drive continuous improvement in processes, services and technical practices to enhance delivery performance and technical quality.
• Build trusted relationships and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including clients, operational teams, project teams and external partners, both from AtkinsRéalis offices and at client sites.
• Oversee technical input to bid proposals, defining delivery strategies and working with cross-functional teams to prepare high-quality, compliant and competitive submissions, while identifying opportunities for cross-selling and business growth.
• Grow, develop and lead the OHL engineering capability within the UK T&D sector, supporting talent development, succession planning and the long-term strength of the discipline.
• Anticipate emerging business, regulatory and technology challenges, identifying risks and opportunities early and advising senior leadership on strategic responses.
• Provide strategic oversight across complex multidisciplinary projects, ensuring technical excellence, safe delivery and alignment with client and practice objectives, while acting as the escalation point for the most complex technical matters.

About you 

You have a proven track record of leading others to produce complex designs and drawings to applicable engineering codes and standards. You are comfortable working in new and changing environments and have a desire to contribute to the success of the business. You are comfortable liaising with stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally. Key skills and attributes include the following: 

• Degree-qualified civil or structural engineer, ideally with a Master’s degree (MEng/MSc) or equivalent.
• Chartered Engineer status and membership of a relevant professional institution such as the IET, ICE or equivalent.
• Proven leadership in the delivery of FEED and detailed design for EHV OHL projects, typically across the 33–400 kV range, including route and profile design, sag and tension studies, conductor selection, and clearance assessment.
• Strong knowledge of UK design standards, transmission owner requirements, and applicable ENA, IEC and BS EN codes, together with client-specific engineering assurance and approval processes.
• Proficiency in industry-standard software such as PLS-CADD, PLS-Tower and associated analytical or digital engineering tools.
• Extensive experience in OHL uprating, refurbishment, reconductoring and life-extension projects, alongside the delivery of new-build transmission infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of tower spotting, load development, and the interfaces between line design, tower design, foundations, geotechnics and construction.
• Experience incorporating constructability, installation sequencing, outage constraints and temporary works considerations into OHL design development.
• Ability to integrate survey, LiDAR, GIS and other digital data sources into OHL design, and to drive digital engineering improvements across the discipline.
• Awareness of multidisciplinary interfaces including substations, cable systems, earthing, electrical clearances, crossings and operational safety requirements.
• Proven experience leading technical assurance activities, including design reviews, hazard reviews, risk assessments, checking and approval processes, and the resolution of complex technical issues.
• Working knowledge of OHL structures, mechanical loading, structural utilisation and statutory clearance requirements.
• Strong focus on safety, regulatory and environmental compliance, including experience of discharging Principal Designer duties under CDM 2015.
• Demonstrable ability to secure technically compliant deliverables through robust design assurance, early issue identification and effective problem solving.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior clients and collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary and international teams.
• Commercially astute, with the ability to build trusted client relationships, support bids, develop others and champion continuous improvement across the discipline.
• CDAE / TP141 experience would be advantageous, but is not essential.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Rewards and benefits – Careers at AtkinsRéalis

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

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Worker Type

Job Type

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.