Overview
Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world. As a Grade 7 Associate Substation Civil Design Lead, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high quality civil and structural design for substation assets across major transmission programmes. This role blends hands‑on design leadership with coordination, assurance and mentoring responsibilities – ideal for an experienced civil engineer progressing into broader leadership within the UK Great Grid Partnership. Similar opportunities are available globally.
Key Responsibilities
* Leadership & Strategy
Provide day‑to‑day technical leadership for civil and structural design activities across substation work packages. Support the development and reinforcement of best practice civil engineering methodologies, processes, and templates across the programme. Champion GGP Charter behaviours and foster a collaborative working environment across disciplines.
* Project Delivery
Lead the production of civil and structural design deliverables — including drawings, calculations, reports, and models — ensuring compliance with project requirements, standards and assurance processes. Manage and coordinate the integration of civil design with electrical, structural, geotechnical, and other disciplines to ensure spatially optimised and constructible solutions. Support and conduct design reviews, providing technical input and supporting sign‑off at relevant assurance gates. Identify design risks, issues and opportunities, escalating them promptly and contributing to lessons learned processes.
* Team & Capability Development
Mentor and support junior engineers and designers, contributing to capability uplift and a high performing team culture. Promote knowledge sharing activities across design package teams and the wider programme, supporting continuous improvement in civils delivery.
* Stakeholder Engagement
Represent civil engineering in multidisciplinary meetings, client discussions and internal coordination forums. Support the Technical Project Lead and Package Design Lead in client updates, technical clarifications and integration workshops.
* Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Ensure all civil design work aligns with relevant health, safety and wellbeing requirements. Embed safe‑by‑design principles and contribute to risk mitigation across design and delivery.
Qualifications
* Essential
• Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (or related discipline).
• Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng MICE preferred).
• Strong experience in civil design for substations, converter stations or similar energy infrastructure — including access, drainage, foundations and spatial layout planning.
• Experience delivering civil design within multidisciplinary design environments.
• Proficiency in civil design tools such as AutoCAD or Civil 3D.
• Experience coordinating civil design in complex infrastructure programmes.
* Desirable
• CDAE accreditation or familiarity with GGP assurance frameworks.
• Experience with National Grid or other TSO/DNO standards, assurance processes, temporary works and construction logistics.
• Experience developing or applying standardised design processes, templates and typical details.
• Ability to use digital tools or automation (Civil 3D, AutoCAD scripting, Dynamo, Python) to streamline design workflows.
• Familiarity with BIM/CDE environments and data‑driven design.
• Enthusiasm for continuous improvement, efficiency and modern digital engineering methods.
What We Offer
We provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do. We also provide private medical insurance, life assurance, accident insurance and income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.
Equal Opportunity and Inclusion
Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas – this drives our excellence.
Application Process
We have a preferred supplier list of trusted recruitment agencies and do not acknowledge unsolicited CVs or introductions from agencies not on the list. To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/arup-careers-uk-application-process. Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process. Contact rebecca.davies@arup.com if you need assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process.
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