Technical Director – Primary Substations (T&D)

We are seeking an experienced Technical Director Primary Substations to join our growing Transmission & Distribution team providing technical leadership for the delivery of high-voltage substation infrastructure projects.

In this role you will act as the technical authority for primary substation engineering providing strategic oversight and technical governance across HV and EHV substation projects including AIS and GIS substations within transmission and distribution networks.

You will guide engineering teams and technical leads through all project phases from concept and feasibility through FEED detailed design construction and commissioning ensuring safe reliable and efficient engineering solutions while maintaining high technical standards across the organization.

You will work closely with project leadership multidisciplinary engineering teams and clients contributing to major grid reinforcement renewable integration and large-scale infrastructure programs.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Engineering Authority

Act as technical authority for primary substation engineering providing strategic direction and technical leadership across projects.
Provide oversight and technical guidance for the design of HV/EHV primary systems including AIS/GIS substations equipment layouts busbar schemes and HV cable interfaces.
Define engineering strategies and technical approaches aligned with industry standards client specifications and network requirements.
Oversee the development and review of critical primary engineering deliverables including:
o Substation general arrangements equipment layouts and specifications
o Busbar configurations calculations and conductor sizing
o Electrical clearances insulation coordination and short-circuit studies
o Lightning protection and shielding concepts
o Earthing and grounding system design
Provide high-level technical guidance on the integration of HV equipment such as circuit breakers disconnectors instrument transformers surge arresters power transformers and reactive compensation equipment.

Ensure technical consistency quality and compliance across substation engineering projects.
Lead technical design reviews and engineering assurance processes ensuring alignment with project requirements and international standards.
 

Project Oversight & Multidisciplinary Coordination

Provide technical oversight across major infrastructure and substation programs supporting project leadership teams in defining engineering strategies and delivery approaches.
Ensure effective coordination between primary secondary civil structural system studies and commissioning disciplines.
Act as senior technical interface with clients contractors equipment suppliers and project stakeholders.
Support development of technical proposals engineering strategies and major project bids.

Construction & Commissioning Support

Provide senior technical guidance during construction installation testing and commissioning of HV substation projects.
Support resolution of complex technical issues design deviations and site queries during project execution.
Ensure that implemented designs comply with technical specifications safety standards and project requirements.

Engineering Leadership & Team Development

Lead and develop teams of primary substation engineers and technical specialists providing mentorship and technical guidance.
Support the growth and development of engineering capabilities within the organization.
Promote a culture of technical excellence knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
Coordinate engineering resources across projects to ensure efficient delivery and consistent technical quality.

Qualifications :

Education

Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering

Experience

Typically 15-20 years of experience in HV primary substation engineering
Proven experience delivering large transmission or distribution substation projects across multiple phases (concept FEED detailed design construction support)
Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership and governance across engineering teams
Experience supporting major infrastructure programs and multidisciplinary project delivery

Technical Skills

Strong expertise in:

HV/EHV substation design (AIS/GIS)
Busbar configurations and substation equipment layouts
Insulation coordination and electrical clearances
Short-circuit calculations and equipment rating verification
Busbar and conductor sizing (thermal and short-circuit withstand)
Mechanical and electrodynamic force calculations for conductors
Integration of HV equipment cables and overhead lines
Earthing and grounding system design
Lightning protection and shielding studies
Transformer integration and reactive power compensation systems
Technical design reviews and engineering governance

Experience with engineering tools such as:

CDEGS
CYMCAP
Revit
AutoCAD or similar design software

Leadership & Soft Skills

Strong technical leadership and engineering governance capabilities
Experience managing engineering teams and multidisciplinary technical delivery
Strategic thinking and complex technical decision-making abilities
Excellent client engagement and stakeholder communication skills
Ability to maintain high technical standards across projects and teams

Nice to Have

Experience working on UK transmission or distribution substation projects
Exposure to National Grid standards and technical specifications
Experience with EHV substations (220kV400kV)
Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional certification
Experience supporting construction commissioning or site engineering activities

Additional Information :

Here you will have freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

We will give you the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether youre working from an AECOM office remote location or at a client site you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity diversity and inclusion a safe and respectful workplace where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

We will encourage you to grow and develop your career with us through our technical and professional development programs and diverse career opportunities. We believe in leadership at all levels. No matter where you sit in the organization you can make a lasting impact on the projects you work on the teams and committees you join and our business.

We offer competitive pay and benefits well-being programs to support you and your family and the development resources you need to advance your career.

When you join us you will connect and collaborate with a global network of experts planners designers engineers scientists consultants program and construction managers leading the change toward a more sustainable and equitable future. Join us and lets get started.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time