Senior Associate Director – Substations (Primary Design) - UK Grid Network

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Free single medical cover

Enhanced parental leave pay

Professional development reimbursement

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UK is seeking a Senior Associate Director to oversee high-profile Power & Energy projects, primarily focusing on HV substations. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in HV engineering and proven leadership skills. This role offers a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and various family-friendly benefits.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in HV substation engineering (132kV–400kV), including AIS/GIS and HVDC systems.
• Proven leadership in delivering complex, multi‑disciplinary infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of UK transmission and distribution standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on FEED and detailed design workstreams for National Grid.
• Oversee quality assurance and resource planning across multiple projects.
• Manage and contribute to tender packages including technical submissions.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder Engagement

Strategic Thinking

Commercial Acumen

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Senior Associate Director – Substations (Primary Design) – UK Grid Network

We are looking for a senior leader to support a range of high‑profile projects across our Power & Energy portfolio, including high‑voltage AIS and GIS substations, transmission system assets, HVDC interconnectors and energy storage systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on FEED and detailed design workstreams for National Grid and DNO clients.
• Oversee quality assurance, resource planning and capability development across multiple projects.
• Lead technical reviews of HV plant aspects including layouts, earthing design, reports, mechanical interlocking, HV busbar calculations and equipment specifications.
• Coordinate with back‑office engineers, sub‑contractors and suppliers to ensure seamless delivery.
• Manage and contribute to tender packages, including technical and commercial submissions.
• Chair design and hazard review meetings and ensure technical assurance of HV plant design.
• Attend site visits, FAT and SAT as required.
• Mentor senior engineers and contribute to succession planning and capability growth.
• Maintain and grow client relationships, supporting strategic business development and market positioning.
• Represent Jacobs in industry forums and contribute to shaping technical standards and best practices.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• LCDAE/PD (TP137) and/or TP141 authorisation, ideally.
• Extensive experience in HV substation engineering (132kV–400kV), including AIS/GIS and HVDC systems.
• Proven leadership in delivering complex, multi‑disciplinary infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of UK transmission and distribution standards and client expectations.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and team leadership skills.
• Strategic thinking with commercial acumen and a track record of business development.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• UK employees receive free single medical cover and digital GP service.
• Family‑friendly benefits such as enhanced parental leave pay and free membership of employee assistance and parental programmes.
• Reimbursement towards professional development and memberships.
• Opportunity to participate in community giving through our Collectively program.
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid, part‑time and remote options.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for this role.