Sr. Associate Director - Substation Primary

Millbank Holdings; City Of London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in the UK is seeking a Senior Associate Director specializing in Substation Primary Engineering. The role involves leading design activities for high-voltage substations, ensuring technical accuracy, and mentoring teams. Candidates should have a degree in Electrical Engineering, be a Chartered Engineer, and possess extensive experience in HV designs (132kV-400kV). This position offers a chance to shape future high-voltage infrastructure across the UK and Europe.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead complex engineering packages.
• Significant experience in HV substation primary designs (132kV-400kV).
• Chartered Engineer status via the IET or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead FEED and detailed design activities for high-voltage substations.
• Oversee design governance of primary layouts and equipment selections.
• Provide technical direction to multidisciplinary design teams.

Skills

HV substation design

Team leadership

Technical direction

Client relationship management

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer

Job description

Are you an expert in HV substation primary design with a proven ability to lead complex engineering packages?

Do you have deep technical experience producing and reviewing high-voltage layouts, earthing, and equipment specifications?

Interested in shaping next-generation high-voltage infrastructure across the UK and Europe?

The Opportunity

A leading engineering consultancy is growing its Power & Energy design team and requires a Senior Associate Director specialising in Substation Primary Engineering. This role centres on design leadership for major transmission and interconnector schemes, ensuring the highest standards of technical delivery across AIS, GIS, and HVDC assets.

We would also welcome applications from those in transmission operators, EPC design practices, grid engineering consultancies, distribution network engineering teams, or renewable energy developers.

Responsibilities

• Lead FEED and detailed design activities for high-voltage substations, ensuring technical accuracy and compliance across all project stages.
• Oversee design governance, checking and approving primary layouts, earthing arrangements, busbar configurations, and high-voltage equipment selections.
• Provide technical direction to multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring coordinated outputs from internal engineers and external partners.
• Develop and refine design documentation including calculations, specifications, reports, and technical schedules.
• Manage design inputs for tender submissions, ensuring robust and commercially aligned engineering proposals.
• Facilitate structured design reviews, hazard assessments, and engineering assurance activities.
• Support site-based design validation through attendance at inspections, FATs, and SATs as required.
• Mentor senior designers and engineers, driving capability development within the design function.
• Cultivate strong relationships with clients, contributing to future design opportunities and framework positioning.
• Represent the consultancy on technical working groups, influencing developing design standards and best practice.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely aligned discipline.
• Chartered Engineer via the IET or equivalent professional institution.
• Additional authorisations such as LCDAE/PD (TP137) or TP141 are beneficial.
• Extensive experience delivering HV substation primary designs (132kV-400kV) across AIS, GIS, and HVDC systems.
• Strong background in leading multi-disciplinary design teams on major transmission or grid connection projects.

Millbank Holdings Ltd is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, and we are committed to ensuring an accessible and supportive recruitment process for everyone. If you require any adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate.