We are seeking an experienced Associate Director – Primary Substations to join our growing Transmission & Distribution team, supporting the delivery of high-voltage substation infrastructure projects.
In this role, you will provide strategic technical oversight and leadership for the design and delivery of HV primary systems, including AIS and GIS substations across transmission and distribution networks. You will guide engineering teams through project development phases, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient technical solutions.
You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, project directors, and clients, contributing to major grid reinforcement, renewable integration, and large-scale infrastructure programs.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Design Oversight
• Provide technical oversight and guidance for the design of HV primary systems for substations (AIS/GIS), including equipment layouts, busbar schemes, and HV cable design.
• Ensure technical consistency and quality across substation projects by reviewing key design decisions, engineering strategies, and equipment selection in accordance with applicable standards and client specifications.
• Oversee development and review of critical primary design deliverables, including:
o Substation general arrangements and equipment layouts and specifications
o Busbar configurations, calcs and conductor sizing
o Electrical clearances, insulation coordination and short-circuit calcs
o Lightning protection and shielding concepts
o Earthing and grounding system
Engineering Coordination
• Act as senior technical authority for primary substation engineering, ensuring coordination between primary, secondary, civil, structural, and commissioning disciplines.
• Support project leadership teams in defining engineering strategies, technical scopes, and delivery approaches for major infrastructure projects.
• Maintain strong engagement with clients, contractors, and suppliers to ensure technical compliance and alignment with project objectives.
Technical Assurance
• Ensure alignment between primary design, protection philosophy, and network performance requirements.
• Identify technical risks and opportunities for design optimisation to improve reliability, operability, constructability, and lifecycle performance.
• Support governance and quality assurance processes for engineering deliverables.
Construction & Commissioning Support
• Provide senior engineering support during construction, installation, testing, and commissioning phases.
• Review and guide resolution of complex site queries, technical deviations, and field design changes.
• Ensure that implemented designs comply with technical specifications, safety standards, and project requirements.
Team Leadership & Development
• Lead and mentor teams of primary substation engineers, supporting professional development, technical growth, and knowledge sharing.
• Foster a collaborative engineering culture, ensuring alignment between teams, efficient workload distribution, and high technical standards.
Team Coordination & Strategic Delivery
• Support the coordination of engineering resources across projects to ensure efficient delivery and consistent technical quality.
• Work closely with project leadership to align engineering activities with business objectives, client expectations, and program schedules.