Design Manager
About the job
Are you looking for a career where you can develop and grow? Perhaps you are ready for the next step? A real chance to define your career the way you want?
With previous working technical experience as either an Electrical or Civil Engineer, the Design Manager will be responsible for the management of multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring compliance with industry standards, codes, and client requirements.
Collaborating with cross-functional teams, you will manage the successful planning, design, and implementation of various Substation based engineering projects predominantly within the regulated DNO market at voltages between 11-132kV.
The Design Manager's responsibilities include:
- Team Leadership – Direct line management of a team of approximately 10 Electrical designers and technicians.
- Project Design Leadership – Management of design works for projects in development, detailed design and technical support during construction stages.
- Commercial & Programme – Management and prioritisation of works for the team
- Environmental – Ensure designs are considerate of environmental factors and that key business advisors are involved in the design reviews on individual projects.
- Safety – Ensure safety by design, operational compliance and design governance is carried out in line with the OCU Group policies and procedures.
Experience you need to be considered?
- Proven experience as a Project Manager, preferably in managing large-scale
- Bachelor's degree in Civil or Electrical Engineering or a related field.
- Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership.
- Proven experience in civil or electrical engineering design, with a focus on infrastructure projects.
- Proficiency in relevant design software and tools.
As a person, we would love it if:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to analyse complex problems, make data-driven decisions, and develop innovative solutions to achieve project objectives.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
What happens next?
If the above sounds like you, then please apply for the role. If you are suitable, I will contact you to provide more details like salary, package, benefits and some more information about the company. If you love what you hear, we have a real simple interview process.
- Our first stage consists of a video call with our hiring manager - An opportunity for you both to find out more about each other.
- An in person meeting to see where you will be working.
That's it! Your bright future with us begins.
Company Information:
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.
- Division
- OCU Energy
- Locations
- Borehamwood, Iver, Reading
- Employment type
- Full-time
- Employment Status
- PAYE/Staff

Our People, our Culture, our Values
As a business, we pride ourselves on operating a ‘People First’ culture, striving to constantly deliver on our 5 core company values.
1. We Care about Safety - It is our goal for everyone working on our behalf to go home healthy and safe at the end of each and every day.
2. We lead with Integrity - Integrity is central to everything we do. Without it, we wouldn’t have the relationships with our clients, nor would we have built an enviable reputation within the industry.
3. We strive to be Better everyday - We take pride in everything we do. This involves a meticulous approach to our work, endeavouring to make each day better than the last.
4. We make a Positive Impact - We want to make the places we work in better; leaving a lasting infrastructure and social legacy. We believe in proactivity to maximise impact.
5. We Deliver to Grow - The successful delivery of frameworks and contracts feeds our ability to grow strategically and strengthen OCU to expand the business and capabilities even further.
About OCU
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’.
Design Manager
Loading application form
Already working at OCU?
Let’s recruit together and find your next colleague.