Senior development engineer, Civils

Overview

Are you a Chartered Engineer, or an aspiring Chartered Engineer with a degree in civil engineering or similar engineering discipline? OnPath Energy is looking for a dynamic senior development engineer with a passion for renewable energy and technical excellence to support the development and delivery of renewable energy development projects.

You’ll play a key role in shaping site designs, managing technical risks, and guiding projects from concept to construction. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence sustainable energy solutions, support an extremely talented team, and work at the forefront of the UK’s green energy transition.

Working environment

The position is based at OnPath Energy’s head office in Rainton Bridge, with travel to the Scottish office and project sites.

Key duties & responsibilities

• Initial project assessment – Helping the Business Development Team identify and secure profitable and deliverable development opportunities through to Key Review B, including:

• Providing technical assistance and advice to the Business Development and Project teams including, where agreed, providing initial outline site designs considering and highlighting design opportunity and constraints (e.g. access/transport, topography, aviation, flooding, ground conditions, telecom links, yield etc)
  • Participation in project reviews to advise on the interpretation of technical information and assessment of risk, including provision of technical reports for Key Review stages A and B where applicable.
  • Appointment and project management of expert 3^rd party technical consultants where required to enhance the technical advice on prospects or projects.  Interpretation and incorporation of consultants’ output within the wider project team.

• Project development – Provide support to the Projects teams, where directed by the HOT, to ensure satisfactory support for the development of projects through to pre-construction stage, this service to include: –

• Ensuring best commercial value is achieved through site design in line with the project and business objectives.
  • Deliver all necessary technical approvals and consents in line with agreed project programmes.
  • Attending public exhibitions and providing technical input to public consultations.
  • Participation in project reviews to advise on the interpretation of technical information.
  • Work closely with the OnPath planning team in review and submission of planning application technical chapters and appendices.
  • Appointment and project management of expert 3^rd party technical consultants where required to enhance the technical advice on prospects or projects.  Interpretation and incorporation of consultants’ output within the wider project team.
  • Ensuring all technical risks are managed and successfully resolved in line with the project and business objectives.
  • General management of technical project budgets, preparation of forecasts and cashflows, programmes and cost estimates etc.

• Project Delivery– On specific agreed projects
  
  • Liaise with the internal and external delivery team to resolve outstanding technical issues. This could include liaising and facilitating interfaces between equipment suppliers, contractors, consultants and local authorities.
  • Ensure all technical matters are resolved sufficient to allow financial close, on time and on budget.
  • Provide engineering support as required for the construction phase including during the tender process for equipment and contractors, commercial and contract negotiations, financial close due diligence and any other relevant aspects arising during the construction phase.

• General Technical 

• Attend monthly management, technical review and other project meetings as required.
  • Attend conferences and/or working groups as requested.
  • Produce non-project specific technical reports, as required.
  • All external work to be instructed in line with Company policies and best practice industry standards and relevant legislation.
  • Comply with all Health and Safety guidance and legislation (internal and external) in carrying out duties and responsibilities at any location. 
  • Develop and maintain internal technical team data databases and tools.  
  • Liaise with and support construction team with technical topics during construction phase. 
  • Support procurement with H&S and PQQ processes in relation to consultants, contractors, and sub-contractors.  

• Technical Expertise

• Undertake preliminary desk top studies for Wind Farms, Solar & BESS Sites.
  • Identify potential civil constraints and possible mitigation measures.
  • Carry out initial swept path analysis for abnormal loads.
  • Produce preliminary pre KRB 2D site designs and working constraints in AutoCAD and GIS to give an understanding of site conditions.
  • Support the wider team with identification and review of constraints and mitigation measures as well as providing advice on third party deliverables on projects such as: desk studies, mining reports, slope/rock stability, landslide assessments, foundations and borrow pit assessments, analysis of geospatial data etc.
  • Review of consultants’ site investigation (SI) designs, scoping and tendering processes ensuring all work is undertaken to industry standards and contractually sound, including ensuring final factual and interpretative reporting is of sufficient quality and sufficient for BOP tenders.  
  • Develop initial drainage concepts and review detailed designs (designed by external consultants).  This involves consulting with EA, SEPA and other Statutory Consultees where necessary. 
  • Public highway improvement concepts and the review of detailed designs (designed by consultants) to facilitate site access and the successful delivery of major components including road authority consultation and road construction consent submissions.  
  • Knowledge and ability to apply DMRB and Local Road Standards in order to assess or develop access solutions. 
  • Knowledge of mitigation solutions to mitigate impact of abnormal load deliveries on structures (e.g. bridges, culverts), likely inspection requirements, Section 96/278 processes including liaison with local authorities and other stakeholders.

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

ESSENTIAL:

• Degree in civil engineering or closely related engineering discipline.
• Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership application in the next 1-2 years.
• Experience within the renewable energy/engineering industry.
• Knowledge of renewable energy technologies.
• Knowledge of industry H&S safety policies and CDM.
• Experience of design and build contracts and NEC (or equivalent).
• Experience of public engagement initiatives.
• Proven experience of dealing with local authorities and statutory stakeholders. 
• Commercial and supply chain (technology and consultant) awareness and appointment process.
• Experience writing engineering risk management reports/registers.
• Ability to produce robust budget estimates for project cashflows.
• Understanding and track record of working to the relevant industry core values.
• Full UK driving license.

PERSONAL QUALITIES/COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to work strategically, and able to manage day-to-day details.
• Proven track record of managing work programmes to critical deadlines, showcasing flexibility in adapting to changing priorities.
• Strong influencing skills, persuading third parties to think progressively in a rules-dominated industry, building alignment, and understanding, and effectively managing expectations of all internal stakeholders regarding project deliverability and risks.
• Proven ability to partner with internal customers, partners and stakeholders in a manner that results in mutually positive outcomes and credibility.
• Effective communication and influencing skills: concise report writing, the ability to communicate and persuade individuals as to the merits of a particular transaction.
• Ability to role model actions and behaviours consistent with the company values.
• Good judgement, showing logical decision making, and strong attention to detail.
• Resilience, with the ability to operate in a dynamic, challenging environment.
• A collaborative team player who works effectively under pressure and delivers high quality outcomes in line with deadlines.
• Proactive, with an enthusiastic attitude towards addressing the technical challenges facing OnPath Energy. 
• Capable of independent thought and prepared to challenge current practice operating with a ‘growth’ mindset.