Lead Design Engineer

Established in 1994, OCU Group is one of the fastest growing utility engineering contractors in the UK, with a long successful track record in delivering customer-focused civil engineering solutions.

Working directly with many of the country’s leading blue-chip power, water, telecoms and rail clients, we are looking for the very best talent to join our growing team.

We pride ourselves on empowering our employees and offering opportunities for them to take control of their own personal development and career progression in a supportive environment.

We believe that being successful is a choice.

We choose to be successful.

We are OCU, ‘One Company United’.

OCU leads the way in end-to-end infrastructure engineering in the utilities, digital, and energy markets, specialising in safely and efficiently delivering complex client requirements. Our breadth of capabilities and depth of operational capacity, paired with our cutting-edge technology, ensure that we are not just part of the market; we are leading it.

Working directly with many of the country’s leading power, energy transition, water, telecoms and digital clients, we are looking for the very best talent to join our growing team.

Are you ready to lead multi-disciplinary engineering design across nationally significant power infrastructure projects? We’re looking for a Lead Design Engineer to join our team, supporting the delivery of HV (11kV to 132kV) substation and circuit projects within a major Distribution Network Operator (DNO) framework.

As Lead Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the coordination and leadership of internal and external design teams across all design disciplines – including electrical, civil, protection, and cable system design. You’ll ensure that project designs are delivered safely, on time, and in accordance with industry standards and DNO specifications from feasibility through to detailed design.

This is a leadership role requiring close collaboration with DNO stakeholders, project managers, engineers, and sub-consultants to drive technical excellence, design integration, and efficient delivery.

At OCU, safety isn't just a policy — it's one of the core values that drives everything we do. As a Lead Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in upholding our commitment to safety by ensuring that every project delivered reflects our dedication to creating secure, responsible, and sustainable solutions for our clients and our people.

We believe growth is earned through delivery—by consistently exceeding expectations, driving innovation, and creating value for our clients. As our new Lead Design Engineer, you’ll be at the heart of that mission, delivering multiple projects that fuel our expansion and deepen our impact.

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (or related discipline).
• Chartered Engineer status or actively working towards chartership.
• Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary design teams on HV infrastructure or substation projects (11kV to 132kV).
• Understanding of DNO design processes, policies, and approval pathways.
• Familiarity with relevant design software and tools for electrical engineering.

• Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate and guide design teams.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills across engineering disciplines and stakeholder groups.
• Well-organised, with the ability to manage multiple designs simultaneously to tight deadlines.
• A solution-focused mindset with a track record of delivering technically robust and commercially efficient designs.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and technical excellence.

At OCU, we offer a range of benefits including flexible working arrangements, community volunteering days, and ongoing personal development and training, because we believe in striving to be better everyday.

We have an open door culture, and promote open communication, transparency and inclusiveness, creating a truly collaborative and productive work environment.

Joining OCU means you will have a voice, the opportunity to make a…