Sr. Associate Director – Substation Primary

NRL; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Senior Associate Director to provide strategic leadership on high-voltage substation projects across the UK and Europe. The role includes overseeing technical assurance and mentoring engineers, requiring extensive experience in HV substation engineering and strong leadership skills. This position is UK-wide and promotes diversity within the workplace.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
• Chartered Engineer through the IET
• Extensive experience in HV substation engineering (132kV–400kV)

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on FEED and detailed design workstreams
• Oversee quality assurance and resource planning across multiple projects
• Lead technical reviews of HV plant aspects and ensure technical assurance

Skills

Extensive experience in HV substation engineering (132kV–400kV)

Leadership in delivering complex, multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects

Strong understanding of UK transmission and distribution standards

Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Education

Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Chartered Engineer through the IET

Job description

Sr. Associate Director – Substation Primary

Location: UK-wide (flexible)

Senior Associate Director with Extensive experience in HV substation engineering (132kV–400kV) to lead high-voltage substation projects across the UK and Europe. To provide strategic leadership on FEED and detailed design, oversee technical assurance, mentor engineers, and support business development.

Key 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.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Chartered Engineer through the IET.
• LCDAE/PD (TP137) and TP141 authorisation preferred.

Skills & Experience

• 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.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes under pressure.

We welcome applications from every walk of life and are committed to diversity within the industries we support, as a certified Inclusive Recruiter and Armed Forces friendly employer. You can ensure you stay safe when job searching online by visiting the JobsAware website.