Associate Director - T&D HV Substations (Data Centers) UK
* Full-time
* State/Province: London, City of
* Business Group: DCS
* Legal Entity: AECOM Ireland Limited
* Business Line: Energy
* Work Location Model: Hybrid
* Operating Group: International
* Primary Location: UK - London - Aldgate Tower
Responsibilities
* Lead HV substation technical discussions with data centre clients and multi‑disciplinary teams – establishing scopes, defining interfaces between HV infrastructure and site power systems (e.g. MSBs, UPS, generators), and ensuring coordinated delivery.
* Direct the technical delivery of substation design for data centre grid connections and on‑site HV networks, agreeing approach with engineering teams, monitoring progress, and quality‑checking deliverables prior to client issue.
* Apply lifecycle expertise – from grid connection studies and concept design through FEED and detailed design – to deliver HV substation schemes that meet the power density and availability demands of data centre campuses.
* Liaise with project management teams to develop resourcing forecasts and programmes aligned to data centre construction schedules and critical path milestones.
* Demonstrate commercial awareness through proposal development, project cost monitoring, and identifying opportunities to expand HV scope on data centre frameworks.
* Build trusted relationships with data centre developers, hyperscale operators, and utility stakeholders, understanding their grid connection strategies and availability requirements.
* Champion safety in design principles across all HV substation deliverables, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and the specific operational safety requirements of energised data centre environments.
* Mentor and develop junior engineers, building team capability in HV substation design for data centre applications over the medium and long term.
Qualifications
* Experience in consultancy, contractor, or utility roles in the energy sector, with exposure to data centre grid connections or critical power infrastructure strongly preferred.
* Background working with Data Centre Clients, TSOs, DNOs and/or other UK/Ireland transmission utilities or developers – particularly on connection agreements relevant to large power users or data centres.
* Proven experience delivering HV infrastructure design at concept, FEED, and detailed design stages, with an understanding of the reliability and N+1/N+2 redundancy expectations of data centre operators.
* Strong understanding of electrical AC HV plant and equipment – both AIS and GIS – including switchgear, busbars, cabling, earthing, and civil interfaces.
* Working knowledge of National Grid standards, specifications, and connection requirements, including G99 and grid code compliance.
* 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, with secondary systems knowledge (protection, control, SCADA) advantageous.
* Familiarity with control systems, power transformers, HV protection & control schemes; knowledge of HVDC or high‑capacity interconnectors is a plus.
Benefits
At AECOM, you'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well‑being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work‑life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.
Legal Statements
We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long‑term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address ReasonableAccommodations@aecom.com if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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