Director Protection & Control (P&C) - UK Grid Network

Jacobs; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UK free single medical cover

Family-friendly benefits

Paid volunteering time

Flexible hybrid working model

Matched funding for volunteering

Charitable donations

Hybrid working model

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UK is seeking a Director Protection & Control to lead strategic projects in energy and infrastructure. Candidates should have an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, commercial acumen, and proven leadership in high-voltage installations. This role offers significant responsibilities and a competitive compensation package including hybrid work options and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Recognised authority in P&C engineering for high-voltage installations (132kV–400kV).
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in bid strategy.
• Proven leadership across large-scale infrastructure programmes.
• CDAE designation with National Grid is required.
• Proven authority in P&C for high‑voltage installations (132kV–400kV).

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the strategic direction of Jacobs’ P&C capability.
• Provide executive leadership on design workstreams for clients.
• Oversee technical assurance and quality control across P&C projects.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding and development of P&C engineering talent.
• Drive team billability, utilization and performance metrics.
• Lead major bids with technical strategy and client engagement.
• Develop and maintain strategic client relationships and market positioning.
• Represent Jacobs in industry bodies to influence standards.
• Oversee interface design, protection schemes and settings coordination.
• Chair design reviews, hazard reviews and technical governance meetings.
• Ensure CDM compliance and proactively manage technical risks.
• Support succession planning and capability growth across P&C.

Skills

Leadership

Client engagement

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer through the IET

TP141 Authorisation (Protection & Control)

National Grid Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE)

HV protection & control for 132kV–400kV installations

Job description

Director Protection & Control (P&C) - UK Grid Network

Join to apply for the Director Protection & Control (P&C) - UK Grid Network role at Jacobs

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 a Director - Protection & Control to support a range of high‑profile projects across our Power & Energy portfolio. This includes high voltage AIS and GIS substations, transmission system assets, HVDC interconnectors, and energy storage systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead the strategic direction of Jacobs’ Protection & Control capability across the UK and Europe
• Provide executive leadership on FEED and detailed design workstreams for National Grid and DNO clients
• Oversee technical assurance, quality control, and delivery excellence across all P&C projects
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and development of engineering talent to support growth and delivery
• Drive team billability, utilisation, and performance metrics aligned with business objectives
• Lead and support major bids, including technical strategy, resource alignment, and client engagement
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key clients, supporting business development and market positioning
• Represent Jacobs in industry bodies and forums, influencing standards and best practices
• Oversee interface design, protection schemes, control philosophies, and settings coordination
• Chair high-level design reviews, hazard reviews, and technical governance meetings
• Ensure compliance with CDM regulations and proactively manage technical risks
• Support succession planning and capability growth across the P&C team

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering
• Chartered Engineer through the IET
• TP141 Authorisation (Protection & Control)
• National Grid Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE)
• Recognised authority in P&C engineering for high‑voltage installations (132kV–400kV)
• Proven leadership across large‑scale infrastructure programmes and multidisciplinary teams
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in bid strategy and client engagement
• Demonstrated success in team growth, recruitment, and capability development
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management skills
• Familiarity with protection and control systems for DNOs, BESS, windfarms, and HVDC
• Ability to influence technical standards and contribute to industry innovation

Why Jacobs?

People are Jacobs’ greatest asset, and the company offers a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. Additional benefits include UK free single medical cover, digital GP service, family‑friendly benefits such as enhanced parental leave pay and free membership of employee assistance and parental programmes, reimbursement toward relevant professional development and memberships, matched‑funding and paid volunteering time, charitable donations, and a flexible hybrid working model.

Jacobs values safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. The company commits to inclusion and belonging in everything, with a culture of caring and mental health support.