Associate Director Overhead Lines (OHL)

Jacobs; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Competitive benefits

Well-being support

Job summary

A global engineering firm in Birmingham seeks an Associate Director Overhead Lines to lead high-profile power projects. The role requires strong technical expertise in overhead lines and leadership capabilities. You will work in a hybrid model, ensuring a balance between office and remote work, supporting a culture of collaboration and well-being.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in overhead line design within UK transmission and distribution environments.
• Degree in Engineering or equivalent is essential.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed engineering drawings and design documentation.
• Oversee technical activities including line routing and structural analysis.
• Lead and mentor a team of design engineers on transmission line solutions.

Skills

OHL design experience (132kV–400kV)

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Ability to manage competing priorities

Proficiency in PLS‑CADD

Education

Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil or Electrical)

Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership

Tools

AutoCAD

Microstation

PLS‑CADD

PLS‑Tower

PLS‑Pole

Job description

Jacobs – Birmingham (United Kingdom)

2 weeks ago – Join our team as Associate Director Overhead Lines (OHL)

Your impact

Jacobs is playing a leading role in the global energy transition. As our UK and Continental Europe team expands, we are seeking an Associate Director Overhead Lines (OHL) to support a range of high‑profile projects across our Power & Energy portfolio. Projects include high‑voltage AIS and GIS substations, transmission assets, HV overhead lines, HVDC interconnectors and energy storage systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop detailed engineering drawings, specifications and design documentation using PLS‑CADD, AutoCAD and Microstation.
• Oversee technical activities including line routing, sag‑tension calculations, structural analysis, conductor selection, clearance reports and design documentation.
• Prepare and review proposals and reports detailing project scope, timelines, budgets and resource allocations.
• Engage regularly in client‑facing design reviews and technical workshops.
• Lead and mentor a team of specialist design engineers working on overhead transmission line solutions.
• Identify and manage project risks to ensure successful delivery.
• Promote a strong safety culture.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, stakeholders and clients to drive project success.
• Ensure all designs are appropriately reviewed and approved in line with best practice and by an appropriately qualified individual.
• Collaborate with the resource manager to expand the team.
• Improve and implement efficient design processes within the existing team.
• Ensure designs are sustainable and support environmental and planning aspects of the works.
• Deal with any issues arising from construction teams.
• Ensure drawings and specification documents contain sufficient, accurate information for construction of the works.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Proven experience in OHL design (132kV–400kV), ideally within UK transmission and distribution environments.
• Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil or Electrical) or equivalent.
• Chartered Engineer (IET) or working towards chartership.
• Familiarity with National Grid and DNO standards and processes.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical workstreams and contribute to strategic project delivery.
• Proficiency in industry‑standard software such as PLS‑CADD, PLS‑Tower, PLS‑Pole and AutoDesk tools.

Why Join Jacobs?

Jacobs places safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging at the heart of its business. You’ll benefit from flexible working arrangements, competitive benefits, well‑being support and a global culture of caring. We champion mental health, equality, diversity and inclusion and offer a range of employee networks and volunteering opportunities.

As a disability confident employer, we interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working or who may not meet all listed requirements.

We value collaboration and believe in‑person interactions are essential. Our hybrid working policy allows you to split your work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations.

If you require support or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact Careers Support.

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