Director Overhead Lines (OHL)

Jacobs; Stafford; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Associate Director Overhead Lines to lead high‑profile HV/LV overhead line projects across the UK. You will drive design accuracy using PLS-CADD, AutoCAD, and MicroStation while mentoring a team of engineers and coordinating with clients and internal teams.

The role requires extensive OHL experience (132kV-400kV) in UK environments, strong communication, and chartership progress. You will contribute to safety, efficiency, and sustainability across the portfolio.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil or Electrical) or equivalent.
• Chartered Engineer (IET) or working towards chartership.
• Working as CDAE and TP141 authorisation.
• Familiarity with National Grid and DNO standards and processes.
• Proven OHL design experience (132kV-400kV) within UK environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed engineering drawings, specs, and design docs using PLS-CADD, AutoCAD, and Microstation.
• Manage and lead HV/EHV Overhead Line designs through all project stages.
• Prepare and review proposals and reports detailing scope, timelines, budgets, and resources.
• Lead client-facing design reviews and technical workshops.
• Mentor a team of design engineers on overhead transmission line solutions.
• Identify and manage project risks to ensure delivery and safety culture.
• Build relationships with internal teams, stakeholders, and clients for project success.
• Ensure designs are reviewed and approved by qualified individuals; expand and improve processes.

Skills

Leadership

Client engagement

Team mentoring

Communication

Risk management

Safety culture

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical, Civil or Electrical) or equivalent

Chartered Engineer (IET) or working towards chartership

CDAE and TP141 authorisation

Familiarity with National Grid and DNO standards

OHL design experience (132kV-400kV) in UK

Tools

PLS-CADD

AutoCAD

MicroStation

PLS-Tower

PLS-Pole

AutoDesk tools

Job description

Director Overhead Lines (OHL) Jacobs is playing a leading role in the global energy transition. As our UK and Continental Europe team continues to expand, we are seeking a Senior 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
• Manage and lead HV/EHV Overhead Line designs at all project stages
• Preparing and reviewing proposals and reports detailing project scope, timelines, budgets, and resource allocations
• Regularly engaging in client-facing design reviews and technical workshops.
• Leading and mentoring a team of specialist design engineers working on overhead transmission line solutions
• Identifying and manage project risks to ensure successful delivery
• Promoting a strong safety culture
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal teams, stakeholders, and clients to drive project success
• Ensuring 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
• 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
• Working as CDAE and TP141 authorisation
• 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

Exeter Devon United Kingdom Manchester Greater Manchester United Kingdom Leeds West Yorkshire United Kingdom Birmingham West Midlands United Kingdom Belfast Antrim United Kingdom Wokingham Berkshire United Kingdom London Greater London United Kingdom London Greater London United Kingdom Electrical Energy

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 maximize 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 .

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