Associate Director - Power Engineering

HDR; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in the UK is seeking an Associate Director to lead high-voltage electrical design initiatives. This role requires extensive experience in power engineering and substation design, offering opportunities to innovate and mentor while shaping the future of energy. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background, proven leadership skills, and the ability to manage significant projects and client relationships.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of experience in electrical engineering design.
• Experience in high-voltage switchyard and substation projects.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex engineering projects with strategic direction.
• Act as senior technical authority for electrical design up to 765kV.
• Establish strong client relationships for repeat business.

Skills

Power engineering

Substation design

Leadership

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Power System Studies software

Job description

Overview

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

About the Role

Join HDR’s vibrant team and work with high-profile clients, including leading utilities and global tech giants, on ground-breaking projects like data centres and low-carbon power solutions. As an Associate Director, you will be at the forefront of transforming power infrastructure, with the chance to lead, innovate, and leave a lasting impact.

Our Glasgow office is our UK power hub and operates like an innovative startup within the framework of HDR's global presence of over 12,000 employees. You’ll be part of a small, rapidly growing team with the opportunity to influence the direction of local operations in a supportive and entrepreneurial environment. While our team in Glasgow is intimate and dynamic, you will have the full backing and support of HDR’s well-established 600+ employee power team in the US, providing a wealth of resources, expertise, and collaboration opportunities to ensure you succeed and thrive in your role.

As part of our 100% employee-owned organization, you’ll have endless opportunities to excel, grow, and achieve your career goals. You will leverage your broad technical expertise to guide multi-disciplinary teams in developing detailed designs and specifications, taking projects from concept to completion across a diverse range of initiatives.

This role offers you the chance to lead teams, mentor and inspire the next generation of engineers while shaping a growing team of substation specialists. By building strong connections with industry experts and Project Managers, you’ll drive innovative solutions and contribute to delivering outstanding projects, making your mark in a field that’s critical to the future of energy.

About You

We are seeking a dynamic and technically skilled Associate Director with a strong background in power engineering and substation design to play a key leadership role in our growing Power & Energy business.

Responsibilities

In the role of Senior Project Manager Engineering, we'll count on you:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the delivery of complex engineering projects, setting standards for technical excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction across the business.
• Define and deliver business plans for your discipline or regional team, including revenue, profitability, and growth targets, ensuring alignment with company strategy and objectives.
• Lead the development and delivery of multiple projects and frameworks, from concept to detailed design, ensuring they meet client expectations, achieve commercial success, and uphold company quality standards.
• Act as a senior technical authority for high-voltage electrical design up to 765kV, providing expert guidance, oversight, and peer review across multiple projects and teams.
• Establish and nurture strong, long-term client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor to key clients and stakeholders, and driving repeat business through exceptional service and technical leadership.
• Oversee and influence major bids, proposals, and tender strategies, including fee negotiations, scope definition, and risk assessment, ensuring commercially successful outcomes.
• Champion innovation in design and delivery, embedding sustainability, digital engineering, and emerging technologies into project approaches and company standards.
• Drive performance, engagement, and development within your team by setting clear objectives, mentoring senior staff, and ensuring robust succession planning to build future leadership capability.
• Provide governance and assurance for project delivery, ensuring all work complies with relevant legislation, regulations, and internal Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001, 14001) and Health & Safety procedures.
• Collaborate closely with other Associate Directors and Directors to deliver strategic initiatives, shape company-wide policy, and continuously improve business processes and project outcomes.
• Represent the business externally through professional institutions, industry forums, and technical working groups, promoting the company’s expertise and contributing to industry best practice.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering; a Master’s degree is highly desirable.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years’ experience in electrical engineering design, with significant exposure to high-voltage switchyard and substation projects up to 765kV.
• Deep understanding of electrical, civil, and structural aspects of substation design and broad familiarity with IEC, IEEE, ANSI, and other relevant standards.
• Proven record in leading large, multidisciplinary design teams, managing multi-million-pound projects or frameworks from concept to completion.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in budget setting, financial management, risk assessment, and contract negotiation.
• Demonstrated success in client relationship management, business development, and securing new work through tenders, frameworks, or strategic partnerships.
• Recognised as a technical authority in one or more specialist areas (e.g., HV protection, power system studies, grid connection, or earthing).
• Proficient in Power System Studies software (e.g., DigSILENT, IPSA, ETAP) and capable of providing high-level guidance to technical teams.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to inspire high performance and foster a collaborative culture across teams and disciplines.
• Commitment to upholding safety, sustainability, and quality standards in all aspects of design and delivery.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.