Senior Substations Lead: HV Design & Strategy (Hybrid)

Jacobs; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Associate Director – Substations (Primary Design) to lead FEED and detailed design for HV substations across National Grid and DNO projects in the UK, including AIS/GIS and HVDC systems. The role demands strategic leadership, proposal development, and strong client engagement.

Hybrid working models are available; you will mentor engineers and drive growth while ensuring technical excellence and sector leadership within Jacobs.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• LCDAE/PD (TP137) and/or TP141 authorisation ideally.
• Extensive HV substation engineering experience (132kV–400kV), incl AIS/GIS and HVDC.
• Proven leadership delivering complex, multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of UK transmission and distribution standards.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership.
• 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

Strategic leadership

HV substation eng

Project leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Business development

Technical reviews

Team leadership

Commercial acumen

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering

LP/TP137/TP141 authorisation

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Associate Director – Substations (Primary Design) to lead FEED and detailed design for HV substations across National Grid and DNO projects in the UK, including AIS/GIS and HVDC systems. The role demands strategic leadership, proposal development, and strong client engagement.

Hybrid working models are available; you will mentor engineers and drive growth while ensuring technical excellence and sector leadership within Jacobs.