Associate Director - HV Substation Design - UK&I

Overview

As Associate Director at AECOM, you will steer end-to-end HV substation design for a portfolio of grid-scale projects. You’ll lead technical discussions with clients and multidisciplinary teams, shaping delivery from concept through energisation. You’ll apply lifecycle expertise to meet power density and availability targets, while aligning resources and schedules. You’ll drive proposals, nurture key client relationships, and champion safety and design rigor. This role offers impact on major energy infrastructure and the chance to influence digital and process innovations within a global team.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible hybrid working
• career development opportunities
• AECOM University
• volunteering days
• technical practice networks
• well-being programs

Responsibilities

• Lead HV substation technical discussions with clients and multi-disciplinary teams, defining scopes and interfaces to ensure coordinated delivery.
• Direct the technical delivery of substation design major projects, agreeing approach with engineering teams, tracking progress and QC of deliverables.
• Apply lifecycle expertise—from grid connection studies to FEED and detailed design—to meet power density and availability targets.
• Collaborate with project management to develop resourcing forecasts and programmes aligned to construction schedules and critical milestones.
• Demonstrate commercial awareness through proposal development, project cost monitoring, and identifying opportunities to expand HV scope on frameworks.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, understanding their grid connection strategies and availability requirements.
• Champion safety in design across HV substation deliverables, ensuring compliance with standards and operational safety requirements.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, building team capability in HV substation design.

Key requirements

• Previous experience with consultancy, contractor, or utility in the energy sector.
• Client experience with National Grid, SHET, SSE, SPT or other transmission utility or developer in UK or Ireland.
• Proven 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, and civil interfaces.
• Working knowledge of National Grid standards and specifications.
• Proposal and bid development experience, including leading multi-discipline submissions for Data Centre, HV infrastructure or grid connection projects.
• Experience of design management and site construction review; primary plant focus is essential; secondary systems knowledge advantageous.
• Familiarity with Control systems, transformers, HVDC systems, interconnectors, HV Protection & Control knowledge advantageous.
• Ideally CDAE / LCDAE approval

• Stakeholder management
• Mentoring/motivating teams
• Commercial awareness
• HV substation design (concept, FEED, detailed)
• AIS and GIS switchgear and busbars
• Cabling, earthing, civil interfaces

Full job description from WhatJobs. Apply for this role →