Senior Associate Director Overhead Lines (OHL)

Jacobs; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Well-being benefits

Global giving and volunteering opportunities

Job summary

Jacobs is expanding its team in the UK and seeks a Senior Associate Director Overhead Lines to lead high-profile projects in the Power & Energy portfolio, including transmission assets and energy storage systems.

You will develop detailed engineering drawings, manage designs, engage in client reviews, and mentor design engineers. The ideal candidate has experience in OHL design, a relevant engineering degree, and excellent communication skills. Flexible working arrangements and well-being benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in overhead line design, ideally in UK transmission and distribution.
• Degree in relevant engineering field or equivalent.
• Familiarity with National Grid and DNO standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed engineering drawings and specifications.
• Manage HV/EHV Overhead Line designs at all project stages.
• Engage in client design reviews and technical workshops.

Skills

OHL design experience (132kV–400kV)

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Ability to manage priorities

Technical workstream leadership

Education

Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil or Electrical)

Chartered Engineer (IET) or working towards chartership

Tools

PLS‑CADD

AutoCAD

Microstation

Job description

Jacobs is expanding its UK and Continental Europe team and seeks a Senior Associate Director Overhead Lines (OHL) to lead high‑profile projects within our Power & Energy portfolio, including high voltage substations, transmission assets, HVDC interconnectors, and energy storage systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and design documentation using PLS‑CADD, AutoCAD and Microstation.
• Manage and lead HV/EHV Overhead Line designs at all project stages.
• Prepare and review proposals and reports detailing project scope, timelines, budgets and resource allocations.
• Engage regularly in client‑facing design reviews and technical workshops.
• Lead and mentor a team of specialist design engineers 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.
• Ensure all designs are appropriately reviewed and approved following best practice and by a qualified individual.
• Work with the resource manager to expand the team.
• Improve and implement efficient design processes with the existing team.
• Support the wider team to ensure designs are sustainable and support environmental and planning aspects.
• Address any issues arising from the construction teams.
• Ensure the drawings and specification documents provide sufficient, accurate information for construction.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in OHL design (132kV–400kV), ideally in UK transmission and distribution.
• Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil or Electrical) or equivalent.
• Chartered Engineer (IET) or working towards chartership.
• Experience with 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.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Well‑being benefits.
• Global giving and volunteering opportunities.