Senior Associate Director Protection & Control Design Engineer

JACOBS; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in the UK is seeking a Senior Associate Director Protection & Control Engineer. This role involves providing strategic leadership on high-voltage design projects including transmission and renewable energy systems. Successful candidates will hold a degree in Electrical Engineering and possess extensive experience in FEED and detailed design. The position offers a competitive benefits package, including medical cover, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Free single medical cover

Family-friendly benefits

Flexible working hours

Professional development reimbursements

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in P&C FEED and detailed design for high-voltage installations (132kV–400kV).
• Strong knowledge of National Grid and SSE design processes.
• Familiarity with protection and control systems for DNOs, BESS, wind farms, and HVDC.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on FEED and detailed design workstreams.
• Lead interface design, protection schemes, and control philosophies.
• Oversee technical assurance and quality control of design packages.
• Support recruitment and development of engineering talent.

Skills

Leadership in engineering teams

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Commercial awareness

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer through the IET

TP141 Authorisation (Protection & Control)

Job description

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 Protection & Control Engineer 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 energy storage systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on FEED and detailed design workstreams for Protection & Control systems across transmission and renewable energy projects.
• Lead interface design, protection schemes, control philosophies, and settings coordination.
• Oversee technical assurance, quality control, and timely delivery of design packages and bids.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and development of engineering talent within the P&C discipline.
• Monitor and improve team billability, utilisation, and performance metrics.
• Lead major bids and proposals, contributing to technical strategy, resource planning, and client engagement.
• Undertake site visits and non‑intrusive surveys as required for design or site support.
• Chair design reviews, hazard reviews, and technical governance meetings.
• Identify and manage technical risks, ensuring compliance with CDM and safety standards.
• Represent Jacobs in client meetings and industry forums, influencing standards and best practices.
• 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).
• Extensive experience in P&C FEED and detailed design for high‑voltage installations (132kV–400kV).
• Strong knowledge of National Grid and SSE design processes and standards.
• Experience across the full project lifecycle from feasibility to detailed design.
• Familiarity with protection and control systems for DNOs, BESS, wind farms, and HVDC.
• Proven leadership in managing multidisciplinary engineering teams and complex programmes.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and strategic thinking skills.
• Commercial awareness and ability to contribute to business growth and client retention.

Why Jacobs?

People are Jacobs’ greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. UK employees receive free single medical cover and a digital GP service, family‑friendly benefits such as enhanced parental leave pay, free membership of employee assistance and parental programmes, and reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships.

Work‑life balance and flexibility are key. We support hybrid, part‑time and flexible working hours, patterns and locations to suit you and our business.

Equal Opportunity

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.