Overview

We are looking for a Civil Design Engineer Manager to lead, grow, and develop our civil engineering capability for HV Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and renewable EPC projects. This role goes beyond design management; it is an opportunity to build a best-in-class civil design function from the ground up, set technical standards for the organisation, and mentor a team of engineers and designers. You will shape how we deliver civil works across our portfolio to ensure solutions are safe, cost-effective, and future-ready.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Development

• Team Leadership & Development. Recruit, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary civil design team (engineers, CAD/BIM technicians). Establish training and development plans to upskill the team in BESS-specific civil design and EPC project delivery. Act as the technical coach for junior engineers, providing guidance on design principles, software, and industry best practice. Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that emphasises knowledge sharing and innovation.
• Define civil engineering design standards, workflows, and QA/QC processes for consistent delivery across projects.

Design & Delivery

• Lead the civil design function for HV BESS and renewable EPC projects, including site layout and master planning (battery containers, transformers, access roads).
• Foundations and plinths for battery enclosures, switchgear, and fencing.
• Drainage design and surface water management (SuDS compliance).
• Cable trenching and ducting layouts for HV/LV infrastructure.
• Access road and hardstanding design for construction and O&M activities.
• Earthworks and grading plans to optimise cut/fill balance.
• Review and approve civil design packages produced internally or by external consultants.
• Drive innovation in design solutions to improve constructability, reduce cost, and minimise environmental impact.

Process & Systems

• Implement and manage Procore (or equivalent) workflows for civil design review, version control, and approvals.
• Standardise design templates, checklists, and deliverable formats for consistent quality across projects.
• Champion digital tools such as BIM/Civil 3D to improve efficiency and collaboration.

Stakeholder & Project Coordination

• Work closely with electrical and mechanical engineering managers to deliver fully coordinated multidisciplinary designs.
• Support procurement teams in preparing tender documents and evaluating civil contractors.
• Provide technical support during construction, resolving design queries and approving field changes.

Compliance, Quality & Safety

• Ensure all designs meet UK regulatory requirements, Eurocodes, BS standards, and CDM regulations.
• Lead design risk assessments and constructability reviews.
• Promote a strong safety culture in all aspects of design and delivery.

First 12 Months Objectives

• Build the Civil Design Team: Recruit and onboard key civil engineers, CAD technicians, and support staff; define clear roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines within the team.
• Establish Standards & Processes: Develop and implement civil design standards, workflows, and QA/QC checklists; introduce consistent design review and approval processes using Procore; create template deliverables for layouts, foundations, and drainage designs.
• Deliver Civil Design for Early-Stage Projects: Prepare civil design for integration with electrical design; deliver civil design packages for at least 30 MW of BESS projects within budget and programme; lead constructability reviews and support procurement for early EPC contracts.
• Strengthen Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Formalise integration workflows with electrical and mechanical design teams; implement BIM or Civil 3D-based coordination across disciplines.
• Develop Team Capability & Culture: Launch training plans for junior engineers and designers; foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability.
• Strategic Planning & Innovation: Identify opportunities for cost optimisation in civil works (earthworks, foundations, drainage); propose innovative approaches to improve sustainability and reduce project risk.

Qualifications and Capabilities

• Essential:
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng, MICE or MIStructE) or on a fast-track to chartership.
• 8+ years of civil design experience, ideally in HV substations, BESS, or renewable infrastructure.
• Proven track record building, managing, or significantly growing a technical team.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and people development skills.
• Proficiency with civil design software (Civil 3D, AutoCAD, STAAD, Tekla, etc.).
• Solid understanding of EPC project delivery, multidisciplinary coordination, and design assurance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Full driving licence and ability to drive to project site locations UK wide, if necessary.
• Desirable:
• Experience developing in-house design capability from scratch or transitioning from consultant-led design.
• Familiarity with Procore, BIM workflows, and digital collaboration platforms.
• Knowledge of UK DNO/TSO civil design specifications.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• The opportunity to build and shape a civil design team in a fast-growing renewable energy business.
• A leadership role with influence across the full EPC project lifecycle.
• Support for professional development, chartership, and leadership training.
• A collaborative culture where innovation and initiative are encouraged.