Senior Associate Director – Substations; Primary Design Grid Network

Senior Associate Director – Substations (Primary Design) - UK Grid Network

Jacobs Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom

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.

Your impact

Jacobs is playing a leading role in the global energy transition. As our UK and Continental Europe team continues to expand, we are seeking a Senior Associate Director – Substations (Primary Design) to support a range of high-profile projects across our Power & Energy portfolio. This includes high voltage AIS and GIS Substations, transmission system assets, HVDC interconnectors, and energy storage systems.

• Provide strategic leadership on FEED and detailed design work streams 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

• 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

People are Jacobs’ greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent.

In addition to the benefits you’d expect, UK employees also receive free single medical cover and digital GP service, family-friendly benefits such as enhanced parental leave pay and free membership of employee assistance and parental programmes, plus reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships. We also give back to our communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched-funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations.

Work-life balance and flexibility is a key focus area for Jacobs. We’re happy to discuss hybrid, part-time and flexible working hours, patterns and locations to suit you and our business.

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Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place.

No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can…