Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-profile projects in HV substation design and ensure quality delivery.
- Company: Join Jacobs, a leader in the global energy transition.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, medical cover, flexible working, and professional development support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the energy sector while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electrical Engineering and extensive HV substation engineering experience.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with strong community engagement and career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Associate Director – Substations (Primary Design) - UK Grid Network role at Jacobs.
Overview
Jacobs is playing a leading role in the global energy transition. As our UK and Continental Europe team continues to expand, we are seeking an 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.
Responsibilities
- Provide 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 in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
- 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.
Why Jacobs?
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.
We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives.
Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit www.vercida.com to view and access our roles. As a disability confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process, please contact the Careers Support team.
Associate Director – Substations (Primary Design) - UK Grid Network employer: Jacobs
Contact Detail:
Jacobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director – Substations (Primary Design) - UK Grid Network
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We want to show that you’re genuinely interested in Jacobs and the work they do in the energy sector. Tailor your answers to reflect their values and mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. We can help you refine your responses and boost your confidence before facing the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director – Substations (Primary Design) - UK Grid Network
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Associate Director role. Highlight your experience in HV substation engineering and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the energy sector and how your background makes you a perfect fit for Jacobs. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of projects you've led or contributed to, especially those involving HV plant design or client relationships. We appreciate results-driven candidates!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jacobs
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of HV substation engineering, especially AIS/GIS and HVDC systems. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role at Jacobs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Associate Director, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've led teams, managed complex projects, and mentored junior engineers. This will show that you're not just technically proficient but also a great leader.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with Jacobs' values around inclusion, collaboration, and community engagement. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to these aspects and why they matter to you.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready for your interviewers. This could be about their approach to project management, how they support professional development, or their vision for the future of the UK Grid Network. It shows you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.
