Civil Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE)
BH-555049
Posted: 10/11/2026
- Outside
- England North West Manchester
- Contract
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Power Generation, T&D
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T&D
Civil Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE) HVDC Interconnector Project | UK | Freelance Contract
We're supporting a major UK transmission project and are seeking an experienced Civil Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE) to provide technical assurance, governance and approval of civil, structural and building engineering designs across a large-scale HVDC Interconnector development.
This flagship project includes
The Role As the Civil CDAE, you will act as the Contractor's senior technical authority, ensuring all civil and structural designs are compliant, coordinated and approved in line with National Grid NG/ET/SR188 requirements.
You will oversee design assurance activities, review and approve design packages, sign off DCAARs and work closely with National Grid stakeholders to drive technical excellence throughout the project lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.
We're supporting a major UK transmission project and are seeking an experienced Civil Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE) to provide technical assurance, governance and approval of civil, structural and building engineering designs across a large-scale HVDC Interconnector development.
This flagship project includes
The Role As the Civil CDAE, you will act as the Contractor's senior technical authority, ensuring all civil and structural designs are compliant, coordinated and approved in line with National Grid NG/ET/SR188 requirements.
You will oversee design assurance activities, review and approve design packages, sign off DCAARs and work closely with National Grid stakeholders to drive technical excellence throughout the project lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Review and approve civil, structural and building engineering design packages.
- Sign off Design Compliance Audit Assurance Reports (DCAARs).
- Ensure compliance with National Grid standards and project specifications.
- Verify independent design checks and certification requirements.
- Participate in design reviews, hazard reviews and technical assurance activities.
- Manage multidisciplinary design interfaces across civil, structural, geotechnical, building services and HV equipment scopes.
- Review and approve design changes whilst maintaining full technical governance and traceability.
- Act as the key technical interface with National Grid Design Assurance Engineers.
- Existing National Grid Civil CDAE Authorisation (Full or Limited), or
- Significant experience within transmission/substation design assurance and the capability to attain CDAE accreditation.
- Degree qualified in Civil, Structural or related Engineering discipline.
- Strong background in design management and technical governance.
- Experience within electricity transmission, substations, HVDC or major infrastructure projects.
- Excellent understanding of CDM Regulations and design risk management.
- Earthworks
- Drainage
- Roads & access
- Foundations & piling
- Buildings & structures
- Cable routes & trenches
- Retaining structures
- Substation infrastructure
- Work on one of the UK's most significant HVDC transmission projects.
- High-profile role providing technical leadership and design assurance.
- Long-term project pipeline.
- Opportunity for authorised CDAEs or senior engineers seeking to achieve National Grid accreditation.
With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.