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- Tasks: Lead high-profile substation projects and drive innovative design solutions.
- Company: Join Jacobs, a leader in the Power & Energy sector with a focus on community and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health cover, flexible working, and professional development support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in energy infrastructure while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electrical Engineering and proven leadership in HV substation engineering required.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of safety, integrity, and belonging with global opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Jacobs is seeking a Director – Substations (Primary Design) to support a range of high-profile projects across the Power & Energy portfolio. This includes high voltage AIS and GIS Substations, transmission system assets, HVDC interconnectors, and energy storage systems. The role involves leadership on FEED and detailed design workstreams for National Grid and DNO clients, with a focus on quality assurance, technical governance, and delivery excellence across substation projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and lead the strategic direction of Jacobs' Substation Primary capability across the UK and Europe
- Provide executive leadership on FEED and detailed design workstreams for National Grid and DNO clients
- Ensure quality assurance, technical governance, and delivery excellence across all substation projects
- Lead recruitment, onboarding, and development of engineering talent to support growth and delivery
- Drive team billability, utilisation, and performance metrics aligned with business objectives
- Oversee resource planning and ensure adequate training and capability development
- Lead and support major bids, including technical strategy, resource alignment, and client engagement
- Review and approve HV plant aspects including layouts, earthing, interlocking, busbar calculations, and specifications
- Chair high-level design reviews, hazard reviews, and technical assurance meetings
- Attend site visits, FAT and SAT as required
- Represent Jacobs in industry bodies and forums, influencing standards and best practices
- Maintain and grow strategic client relationships, supporting business development and market positioning
What you’ll need
- Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
- LCDAE/PD (TP137) and TP141 authorisation
- Recognised authority in HV substation engineering (132kV–400kV), including AIS/GIS and HVDC systems
- Proven leadership across large-scale infrastructure programmes and multidisciplinary teams
- Strong commercial acumen with experience in bid strategy and client engagement
- Demonstrated success in team growth, recruitment, and capability development
- Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to influence technical standards and contribute to industry innovation
Why Jacobs?
People are Jacobs' greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. UK employees receive benefits including free single medical cover and digital GP service, family-friendly benefits such as enhanced parental leave pay, and reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships. We also support community initiatives through our Collectively program with matched-funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations. Work-life balance and flexibility are a key focus, with options for hybrid, part-time, and flexible working patterns and locations.
Joining Jacobs connects you locally and globally. We value safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging, putting people at the heart of our business. We support mental health, belonging, and a culture of caring. We offer flexible working arrangements and opportunities to maximize potential, including well-being benefits, global giving, and volunteering programs.
Equality and Inclusion
We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs and partnering with organisations to attract diverse talent. We welcome flexible working and applicants who may not meet every listed requirement. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact Careers Support.
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 Director – Substations (Primary Design) - UK Grid Network
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We want to see you shine, so practice answering common questions and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We appreciate when candidates show genuine interest and enthusiasm for the role.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Director – Substations (Primary Design) - UK Grid Network
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Director – Substations. Highlight your experience with high voltage systems and leadership in design projects. 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 the perfect fit for Jacobs and how you can contribute to our Power & Energy portfolio. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading teams and projects, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've driven team performance and delivered successful outcomes in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jacobs
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of high voltage 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 a Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead multidisciplinary teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed large-scale infrastructure programmes and how you’ve developed engineering talent in your previous roles.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with Jacobs' strategic direction and recent projects in the Power & Energy portfolio. Being able to discuss how you can contribute to their goals will show that you're not just interested in the role, but also in the company’s success.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about your experience in client engagement and bid strategy. Think of ways you've influenced technical standards or contributed to industry innovation, as this will resonate well with Jacobs' focus on quality assurance and delivery excellence.
