Associate Director – HV Substation Design – UK&I

Overview

In this role you will lead end-to-end HV substation design for high-profile grid-scale projects, shaping critical energy infrastructure. You’ll work within the Transmission and Distribution team to deliver from concept through energisation, collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams and clients. You’ll apply lifecycle design expertise while championing safety, quality, and value delivery. This position offers exposure to major projects with national impact and opportunities to mentor the next generation of engineers. You will contribute to a culture of innovation and digital enablement to drive efficient project delivery.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid working model
• career development opportunities
• AECOM University
• volunteering days
• flexible work arrangements
• well-being programs

Responsibilities

• Lead HV substation technical discussions with clients and multi-disciplinary teams, establishing scopes and interfaces
• Direct technical delivery of major substation design projects, shaping approach and validating deliverables
• Apply lifecycle design from grid connection studies to FEED and detailed design
• Coordinate with project management to align resources and programmes with construction schedules
• Demonstrate commercial awareness through proposals, cost monitoring, and expanding HV scope
• Build and maintain client relationships, understanding grid connection strategies and availability
• Champion safety in design across HV deliverables, ensuring standards compliance
• Mentor and develop junior engineers to grow HV substation design capability

Key requirements

• Experience delivering HV infrastructure design at concept, FEED, and detailed design stages
• Strong understanding of electrical AC HV plant and equipment (AIS and GIS) including switchgear, busbars, cabling, earthing, civil interfaces
• Working knowledge of National Grid standards and specifications
• Proposal and bid development experience with multi-discipline submissions
• Design management and site construction review experience; primary plant focus essential
• Knowledge of protection, control, SCADA would be advantageous
• CDAE / LCDAE approval would be ideal
• Experience in energy sector consultancy/utility/contractor environments
• Client-facing experience with National Grid, SHET, SSE, SPT or similar in UK/Ireland

• Strong stakeholder management
• Mentoring and team development
• Commercial awareness
• HV substation design (AIS and GIS)
• Grid connection studies (concept to detailed design)
• FEED and detailed design processes

…