Senior Substations Design Director – Hybrid Role

Jacobs; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

Free single medical cover

Enhanced parental leave pay

Professional development memberships

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Associate Director – Substations (Primary Design) in the UK to lead FEED and detailed design activities for high-profile HV projects. You will oversee QA, guide multi-disciplinary teams, and manage client relationships across National Grid and DNOs, including HV AIS/GIS, HVDC, and energy storage systems.

The role requires a degree in Electrical Engineering, LCDAE/PD TP137/TP141 authorisation where possible, and a track record of delivering complex infrastructure

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Extensive HV substation engineering experience (132kV–400kV) with AIS/GIS and HVDC.
• Leadership in delivering complex multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of UK transmission and distribution standards and client expectations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on FEED and detailed design workstreams for National Grid and DNO clients.
• Oversee QA, resource planning, and capability development across multiple projects.
• Lead technical reviews of HV plant aspects including layouts, earthing design, and HV busbar calculations.
• Coordinate with back-office engineers, sub-contractors, and suppliers to ensure seamless delivery.
• Manage 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 technical standards.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering

TP137/TP141 authorisation (LCDAE/PD)

Tools

HV Substation design

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Associate Director – Substations (Primary Design) in the UK to lead FEED and detailed design activities for high-profile HV projects. You will oversee QA, guide multi-disciplinary teams, and manage client relationships across National Grid and DNOs, including HV AIS/GIS, HVDC, and energy storage systems.

The role requires a degree in Electrical Engineering, LCDAE/PD TP137/TP141 authorisation where possible, and a track record of delivering complex infrastructure