Associate Director - Civil Engineering (Transmission & Distribution)

Jacobs; Dublin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs in Ireland is seeking an Associate Director – Civils to provide strategic leadership across frontend engineering design for HV substations and large-scale transmission projects. You will shape technical assurance, delivery excellence and market growth in the T&D sector, working with multidisciplinary teams and key clients.

You will lead civil/structural design packages from concept to construction, define layouts for substations, drive design reviews, manage resources and budgets, and

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.
• Chartered Engineer status with a relevant institution.
• Experience delivering complex multi-disciplinary projects for the Energy Transition industry.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary infrastructure projects with strong client-facing capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead civil/structural design packages from concept through detailed design and construction support for Grid and DNO clients.
• Define civil layouts for substations, including platforms, foundations, bunds, drainage, access roads, ducting, fencing and security features, integrating inputs with electrical plant layouts.
• Drive technical reviews and approvals covering foundation design, structural framing, equipment plinths, transformer bunds/oil containment, flood risk/SuDS, access/haulage, drainage and outfalls.
• Chair design reviews; assure compliance with client procedures.
• Plan resources, programmes and budgets; coordinate with backoffice engineers, subconsultants and suppliers to ensure delivery via common data environments and BIM workflows.
• Provide construction-phase support (RFI responses, site inspections, NCR closeout), attend site visits, preconstruction reviews and witnessing of civil elements.
• Lead and contribute to tenders (technical and commercial), proposals and client presentations; maintain and grow strategic client relationships; position Jacobs in industry forums and standards working groups.
• Line-manage and mentor Senior/Principal Engineers; build succession and capability; set technical standards and foster innovation.

Skills

Leadership

Client-facing

Communication

Multidisciplinary coordination

Education

Bachelors in Civil Engineering

Chartered Engineer

Tools

Civil 3D

Revit

MicroStation

Tekla/Tedds

Job description

Role Overview

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Jacobs is playing a leading role in the global energy transition. Our Irish team continues to expand and we are seeking an Associate Director – Civils to provide strategic leadership across frontend engineering design (FEED) and detailed civil/structural design for high‑voltage (HV) AIS/GIS substations (132–400 kV), HVDC converter stations, overhead line (OHL) interfaces and underground cable projects. You will shape technical assurance, delivery excellence and market growth in the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead civil/structural design packages from concept through detailed design and construction support for Grid and DNO clients
• Define civil layouts for substations, including platforms, foundations, bunds, drainage, access roads, ducting, fencing and security features, integrating geotechnical and structural inputs with electrical plant layouts
• Drive technical reviews and approvals covering foundation design, structural framing, equipment plinths, transformer bunds/oil containment, flood risk/SuDS, access/haulage, drainage and outfalls
• Chair design reviews; assure compliance with client procedures
• Ensure adherence to CDM 2015 and Jacobs' quality processes
• Plan resources, programmes and budgets; coordinate with backoffice engineers, subconsultants and suppliers to ensure seamless delivery via common data environments and BIM workflows (e.g., Civil 3D, Revit, MicroStation)
• Provide construction‑phase support (RFI responses, site inspections, NCR closeout), attend site visits, preconstruction reviews and witnessing of civil elements (e.g., foundations, bund systems, drainage structures)
• Lead and contribute to tenders (technical and commercial), proposals and client presentations; maintain and grow strategic client relationships; position Jacobs in industry forums and standards working groups
• Line‑manage and mentor Senior/Principal Engineers; build succession and capability; set technical standards and foster a culture of innovation and excellence

Qualifications

• A degree in Civil Engineering or another relevant engineering discipline
• Chartered Engineer status with a relevant institution
• Experience within a civil discipline and experience in delivering complex multi‑disciplinary projects for the Energy Transition industry
• Proven leadership of complex, multidisciplinary infrastructure projects within transmission and distribution, with strong client‑facing capability
• Fluency in BIM/CDE processes and design tools (Civil 3D, Revit, MicroStation, Tekla/Tedds), data governance and model assurance
• Excellent written and verbal communication, stakeholder engagement, and business development acumen; able to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure

Inclusion & EEO

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