Associate Director u2013 Substation Design (UK) in Manchester
Associate Director u2013 Substation Design (UK)

Associate Director u2013 Substation Design (UK) in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
AECOM

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

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 Manchester employer: AECOM

At AECOM, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee growth through tailored career development opportunities and a flexible hybrid working model, we ensure that our team members can achieve a healthy work-life balance while contributing to impactful projects in the energy sector. Join us in our mission to deliver a better world, where your unique talents are valued and your professional journey is supported.
AECOM

Contact Detail:

AECOM Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Associate Director u2013 Substation Design (UK) in Manchester

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching AECOM and understanding their projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission of delivering a better world. Be ready to discuss your technical skills and how they can benefit the team.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence. Focus on articulating your thoughts clearly and showcasing your problem-solving abilities, especially in relation to substation design.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the AECOM team and contributing to impactful projects.

We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director u2013 Substation Design (UK) in Manchester

HV Design
Substation Design
Electrical AC HV Plant Infrastructure
AIS and GIS Knowledge
National Grid Standards and Specifications
Proposal/Bid Development
Multi-Discipline Team Leadership
Client Relationship Management
Project Management
Safety in Design
Control Systems Knowledge
Transformers Experience
HVDC Systems Understanding
Interconnectors Knowledge
HV Protection & Control Experience

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 project management, and don’t forget to mention any client relationships you've built in the energy sector.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your skills align with AECOM's mission to deliver a better world. Be sure to mention specific projects or experiences that relate to the job description.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role involves leading technical discussions, make sure to showcase your knowledge of substation project life-cycles and relevant standards. Mention any experience with HV infrastructure and how you’ve successfully delivered similar projects in the past.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!

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 recent projects AECOM has been involved in. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also understand the technical aspects.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare to discuss your previous experience in consultancy or utility work within the energy sector. Be ready to share specific examples of projects you've worked on, especially those involving HV design at various stages. Highlight your role in proposal development and how you’ve led multi-discipline teams to success.

✨Build Rapport

During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their projects and express genuine interest in their work culture. This will help you come across as a team player who values collaboration, which is crucial for a role that involves liaising with clients and internal teams.

✨Emphasise Safety and Mentorship

Since safety in design is a key aspect of the role, be prepared to discuss how you prioritise safety in your projects. Additionally, mention any experience you have in mentoring junior staff, as this aligns with AECOM's commitment to developing team capability and fostering a supportive work environment.

Associate Director u2013 Substation Design (UK) in Manchester
AECOM
Location: Manchester

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