Lead Smart Buildings Designer

The Mission We are transforming how complex, large-scale infrastructure is designed, built, and operated. By moving beyond traditional "siloed" building systems, we are creating intelligent, highly connected environments that optimize safety, energy performance, and the user experience. As a Lead Smart Buildings Designer, you will architect the digital and physical systems that make next-generation estates responsive, sustainable, and future-ready. The Role This is a senior design position focused on the "brain" of the building. You will lead the integration of intelligent systems across the full project lifecycle, translating a high-level digital vision into deliverable, standardized, and secure architectures. Key Responsibilities: • Design Ownership: Define functional requirements and performance specifications for BMS, EMS, SCADA, and IoT integration platforms across RIBA stages. • System Interoperability: Architect solutions using open protocols (BACnet, Modbus, OPC UA, MQTT) to integrate building hardware with Digital Twins, BIM/CDE, and enterprise data platforms. • Cyber-Resilient OT: Develop secure reference architectures for Operational Technology (OT), focusing on network segmentation, identity, and monitoring aligned to modern cyber baselines. • Standardization & Modularity: Embed principles of repeatable components and modularity to enable rapid, scalable deployment across a national programme. • Sustainability Outcomes: Specify advanced metering and fault detection & diagnostics (FDD) to drive net-zero goals and lifecycle performance. • Testing & Readiness: Define Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and Soft Landings plans to ensure a safe transition to operations and measurable benefits realization. Who You Are You are a technical leader with a track record of delivering complex systems in critical or highly regulated environments. Essential Experience: • Systems Integration: Significant experience designing smart building/OT systems on complex campuses or critical infrastructure. • Technical Mastery: Practical knowledge of open protocols and system interoperability. • Cyber Security: Understanding of OT/ICS security, including network segmentation and secure remote access. • Design Standards: Experience producing high-quality design artefacts, including interface control documents and cybersecurity design notes. • Project Delivery: Proven track record of delivering through RIBA design stages to commissioning and handover. Desirable Skills: • Knowledge of BIM/ISO 19650, COBie, and Common Data Environments. • Exposure to Net Zero frameworks and building performance evaluation. • Familiarity with ISA/IEC 62443 principles for industrial cybersecurity. • Professional membership of CIBSE, IET, or IHEEM; Chartered Engineer (CEng) status is an advantage.