Associate Director Overhead Lines (OHL)

JACOBS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Well-being benefits

Volunteering programs

Job summary

A global engineering leader is seeking an Associate Director Overhead Lines (OHL) in Greater London. This role involves overseeing engineering projects related to high voltage systems and managing a team of design engineers. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in OHL design, strong communication skills, and the ability to lead technical initiatives. The company promotes a hybrid working environment and values inclusion and well-being in the workplace.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in OHL design (132kV–400kV) within UK environments.
• Familiarity with National Grid and DNO standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop engineering drawings and specifications.
• Oversee technical activities and project risks.
• Lead and mentor a team of design engineers.
• Regularly engage 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 and collaboration across teams.

Skills

OHL design experience

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Ability to manage priorities

Leadership of technical workstreams

Education

Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil or Electrical)

Chartered Engineer (IET) or working towards chartership

Tools

PLS‑CADD

AutoCAD

Microstation

PLS‑Tower

PLS‑Pole

Job description

At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

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

Key Responsibilities

• Develop detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and design documentation using software tools such as PLS‑CADD, AutoCAD and Microstation
• Oversee technical activities, line routing, sag‑tension calculations, structure analysis, conductor selection, clearance reports, and design documentation
• Prepare and review proposals and reports detailing project scope, timelines, budgets, and resource allocations
• Regularly engage 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
• Work with the resource manager to expand the team
• Work with the existing team to improve/implement efficient design processes
• Work with the wider team to ensure designs are sustainable and support environmental and planning aspects of the works
• Deal with any issues arising from the construction teams
• Ensure that the 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
• Proficient in industry‑standard software such as PLS‑CADD, PLS‑Tower, PLS‑Pole, and AutoDesk tools

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximise your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https://www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.

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

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.