Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative substation design projects and collaborate with diverse teams.
- Company: Join AECOM, a global leader in infrastructure consulting.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, career development, and personalised perks.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for mentorship and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on energy infrastructure and grow your engineering career.
- Qualifications: Experience in HV design and client engagement in the energy sector.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Company Description
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
Are you ready to join a team of talented and innovative engineers within our UK Transmission & Distribution business and grow your career? Our Transmission & Distribution team delivers HV design for electrical power projects at transmission and distribution voltage levels. The focus of this role is primary plant design for large-scale infrastructure, grid connections, and private networks at voltage levels normally between 132 kV to 400kV. Typical projects include feasibility, optioneering, FEED, detailed design, and design assurance on existing or new substations and other infrastructure.
Here’s what you’ll do:
- Lead substation technical discussions with the client and internal multi-disciplinary teams to establish scopes, define interfacing and ensure delivery.
- Lead the technical delivery with engineering teams by agreeing approach, supporting scope understanding, monitoring progress and quality checking of deliverables prior to issuing to the client.
- Utilise knowledge of substation project/asset life-cycle from a design perspective to successfully deliver client projects.
- Liaise with the project management team to produce resourcing forecasts and programmes.
- Demonstrate commercial awareness to carry out proposal development, monitor/manage project costs and enable opportunity identification.
- Build client relationships, understanding client requirements and perspectives, building trust and adopting a client orientated project delivery mindset.
- Drive the safety in design ethos within projects.
- Mentor and develop more junior staff to build team capability and capacity over the medium and long term.
Enjoy the Perks.
At AECOM, you'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.
Qualifications
Ready to push the limits of what’s possible? Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Previous experience with consultancy, contractor, or utility in the energy sector. Client experience with National Grid, SHET, SSE, SPT or any other transmission utility or developer in UK or Ireland.
- Experience designing HV infrastructure at concept and FEED and detailed design stages.
- Understanding of electrical AC HV Plant infrastructure and equipment both AIS and GIS.
- Working knowledge of National Grid standards and specifications.
- Proposal/Bid development experience, including leading multi discipline proposals to completion.
- Experience of design & site construction review, the role is primary plant focused, but knowledge and understanding of secondary system design will be advantageous.
- Experience with Control systems, transformers, HVDC systems, interconnectors, HV Protection & Control knowledge and experience would be advantageous.
- Ideally CDAE / LCDAE approval.
We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us.
At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!
Additional Information
Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!
For further information about the role, reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn (Francesca Siddle).
About AECOM
AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities.
AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.
Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity
You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.
You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.
AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.
Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Associate Director u2013 Substation Design (UK) in Bristol employer: AECOM
Contact Detail:
AECOM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director u2013 Substation Design (UK) in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at AECOM on LinkedIn and ask about their experiences. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge related to HV infrastructure. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how they align with AECOM's mission to deliver a better world.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your client relationship skills! AECOM values building trust with clients, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed client expectations in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the AECOM team.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director u2013 Substation Design (UK) in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Associate Director – Substation Design. Highlight your relevant experience in HV design and any client interactions you've had, especially with utilities like National Grid or SSE.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your skills align with our mission at AECOM. Share specific examples of your past projects that demonstrate your expertise in substation design.
Showcase Your Team Spirit: We love collaboration! In your application, mention experiences where you’ve led teams or mentored junior staff. This shows us you’re not just a great engineer but also a team player who can help us grow together.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about AECOM and our culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at AECOM
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of HV infrastructure and the specific requirements for substation design. Familiarise yourself with National Grid standards and specifications, as well as any relevant project lifecycle stages. This will help you speak confidently about your experience and how it aligns with the role.
✨Showcase Your Client Skills
Since building client relationships is key, prepare examples of how you've successfully managed client expectations in the past. Think about times when you’ve had to navigate complex discussions or deliverables, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Leadership
As an Associate Director, you'll need to lead teams effectively. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've mentored junior staff or led multi-disciplinary teams. Highlight your ability to drive safety in design and ensure quality deliverables.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in AECOM's projects and culture. Inquire about their approach to innovation in substation design or how they foster team collaboration. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.