Senior Substations Design Lead – HV, AIS/GIS & HVDC

Jacobs; Exeter; Remote; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

free single medical cover

digital GP service

family-friendly benefits such as paren

enhanced parental leave pay

free membership of employee assistance

parental programmes

reimbursement towards professional dev

matched-funding

paid volunteering time

charitable donations

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Associate Director - Substations (Primary Design) to lead FEED and detailed design for National Grid and DNO clients, covering AIS/GIS 132kV-400kV, HVDC systems and multi-disciplinary projects. You will mentor engineers, drive technical reviews, and coordinate with subcontractors to ensure on-time delivery.

You will also shape technical standards, maintain key client relationships, and support business development while promoting Jacobs’ values and flexible working

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.

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 and 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.

Skills

Leadership

HV Substation experience

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Business development

Team leadership

Commercial acumen

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering

LCDAE/PD TP137 and/or TP141 authorisation ideally

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Associate Director - Substations (Primary Design) to lead FEED and detailed design for National Grid and DNO clients, covering AIS/GIS 132kV-400kV, HVDC systems and multi-disciplinary projects. You will mentor engineers, drive technical reviews, and coordinate with subcontractors to ensure on-time delivery.

You will also shape technical standards, maintain key client relationships, and support business development while promoting Jacobs’ values and flexible working