Associate Director – HV Substation Design – UK&I

Overview

In this role you will lead end-to-end HV substation design for grid-scale energy infrastructure, guiding projects from concept to energisation. You will work within the Transmission and Distribution team to deliver high-impact substations on major UK and Ireland programs, collaborating with clients and multidisciplinary teams. You’ll shape design approaches, manage resources and timelines, and drive safety and quality. This is a chance to influence the UK energy transition through large-scale projects and trusted industry partnerships.

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 multidisciplinary teams to define scope and interfaces
• Direct the technical delivery of substation design major projects, coordinating approach and quality-checked deliverables
• Apply lifecycle expertise from grid studies to FEED and detailed design to meet power density and availability targets
• liaise with project management to develop resourcing forecasts and programmes aligned with construction schedules
• Demonstrate commercial awareness through proposal development, cost monitoring, and expanding HV scope on frameworks
• Build trusted relationships with clients, understanding grid connection strategies and availability requirements
• Champion safety in design across HV substation deliverables, ensuring standards compliance
• Mentor and develop junior engineers to grow HV substation design capability

Key requirements

• Experience in energy sector with consultancy, contractor, or utility
• Client experience with National Grid, SHET, SSE, SPT or other transmission utilities in UK or Ireland
• Proven experience delivering HV infrastructure design at concept, FEED, and detailed design stages
• Strong understanding of AIS and GIS HV plant and equipment (switchgear, busbars, cabling, earthing, civil interfaces)
• Working knowledge of National Grid standards and specifications
• Proposal and bid development experience with leading multi-discipline submissions
• Experience in design management and site construction review; primary plant focus with secondary systems knowledge (protection, control, SCADA) advantageous
• Familiarity with control systems, transformers, HVDC systems, interconnectors, HV Protection & Control knowledge advantageous
• Ideally CDAE / LCDAE approval

• Client relationship building
• Mentoring and leadership
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration
• AIS and GIS HV plant and equipment
• Switchgear, busbars, cabling, earthing, civil interfaces
• Protection, control, SCADA familiarity

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