Senior Associate Director Overhead Lines (OHL)

Jacobs; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering firm in Exeter is seeking a Senior Associate Director Overhead Lines to oversee high-profile power and energy projects. The role involves developing engineering drawings, managing overhead line designs, and leading a team. The ideal candidate has substantial experience in OHL design, preferably in the UK, and is a Chartered Engineer. This position offers opportunities for flexible working arrangements and promotes a strong culture of collaboration and inclusion.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Well-being benefits

Global giving and volunteering programs

Qualifications

• Proven experience in OHL design ideally within the UK.
• Chartered Engineer (IET) or working towards chartership.
• Familiarity with National Grid and DNO standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed engineering drawings and design documentation.
• Manage HV/EHV Overhead Line designs at all project stages.
• Lead and mentor a team of design engineers.

Skills

OHL design experience (132kV–400kV)

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Proficient in PLS-CADD, AutoCAD

Ability to manage competing priorities

Education

Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil or Electrical)

Tools

PLS-CADD

AutoCAD

Microstation

Job description

Market Energy

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 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

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
• Working as CDAE and / or 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

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.

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.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit 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.

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