Offshore Substation Topside Layout Design Lead

Job Description

Overview

Shape the future of offshore energy.

We are seeking a Design & Engineering Manager (EM) to lead the delivery of Offshore Substation Topside projects across concept, FEED and detailed design phases. This is a senior leadership role at the heart of offshore wind project execution, where you will drive engineering excellence, integration, and delivery performance for complex, multidisciplinary topside platforms.

You will play a critical role in enabling the energy transition by leading the design and integration of HV substations offshore, ensuring safe, efficient, and buildable solutions aligned with client and project requirements.

Your role

Engineering Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end engineering delivery of offshore substation topsides (OSS), from concept through FEED to detailed design.
• Act as the single point of accountability for engineering scope, quality, and technical assurance.
• Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams (structural, electrical, process, layout, safety, etc.).
• Ensure delivery in line with programme, budget, and project KPIs.

Topside Design & Integration

Oversee the design and integration of:

• Primary and secondary steel structures (deck, modules, support frames).
• HV/MV electrical equipment layouts and interfaces.
• Weight control and centre of gravity management.
• Lifting, transportation, and installation strategies.
• Drive modularisation strategies to optimise fabrication and offshore installation.
• Ensure alignment between topside, jacket/foundation, and export systems.

Technical Governance & Assurance

• Maintain compliance with codes, standards (DNV, IEC, ISO) and project specifications.
• Lead design reviews, HAZIDs, HAZOPs, and constructability assessments.
• Ensure all engineering deliverables are checked, approved, and fit for purpose.

Stakeholder & Commercial Interface

• Act as the primary engineering interface with clients, fabricators, certifying bodies, and installation contractors.
• Support procurement activities, including technical bid evaluations and vendor management.
• Contribute to commercial strategy, risk management, and change control.

Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing engineering team.
• Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support development of digital engineering and advanced analysis capabilities.

About you

• You are a highly experienced offshore engineering leader with strong topside expertise and delivery mindset.
• Proven experience delivering Offshore Substation Topside (OSS) design within offshore wind projects.
• Strong background in structural engineering (primary or secondary steel for topsides or similar offshore facilities).
• Experience in multidisciplinary integration, especially structural–electrical interfaces.
• Demonstrated experience leading FEED and detailed design phases.
• Strong knowledge of offshore design standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience with fabrication, transport & installation (T&I) considerations.

Technical Expertise

Deep understanding of:

• Structural systems for offshore platforms.
• Load cases including wave, wind, lifting, and transportation.
• Weight management and constructability.
• Familiarity with engineering tools such as: SESAM, SACS, STAAD, ANSYS.
• Understanding of HV substation systems integration is highly desirable.

Leadership & Professional Skills

• Chartered Engineer (or equivalent) preferred.
• Strong leadership and team management experience.
• Excellent stakeholder communication and client-facing skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, fast-paced project environments.

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

Employee

Job Type

Regular

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.