Associate Director - T&D Overhead Transmission Lines

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Job Description

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director - T&D Overhead Transmission Lines to join our growing Transmission & Distribution team, supporting major transmission infrastructure and energy transition projects. In this role, you will provide technical and people leadership in the design and delivery of overhead transmission line systems, typically ranging from 110kV to 400kV+, supporting projects from feasibility and concept development through detailed design, full drawing review, and construction support.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to large transmission infrastructure programmes and grid reinforcement projects, including projects aligned with the energy transition and renewable integration. In addition to technical leadership, the role includes oversight of engineering teams, coordination of multidisciplinary design delivery, mentoring of engineers, and accountability for the quality and completeness of design outputs issued to clients and construction teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Transmission Line Design, Technical Leadership and Design Oversight

· Lead the design and engineering of HV/EHV overhead transmission lines (typically 110kV–400kV+)

· Develop and review key deliverables including route alignments, tower spotting, conductor and earth wire selection, and insulator configurations.

· Define clearances, right-of-way requirements, and design criteria in accordance with applicable standards.

· Provide technical input to tower loading calculations and structural design teams.

· Lead PLS-CADD modelling and transmission line layout development for complex projects.

· Oversee the full design delivery process across multiple projects, ensuring technical consistency, quality, and alignment with client requirements.

· Undertake and/or approve full design reviews of drawings, models, calculations, and design packages prior to issue.

· Provide final technical oversight of design documentation to ensure completeness, constructability, and coordination across engineering disciplines.

2. Transmission Line Calculations and Technical Studies

· Perform and review key electrical and mechanical transmission line calculations, including:

o Electrical studies: ampacity, corona and radio interference, line impedance, shielding angle

o Mechanical studies: sag–tension calculations, conductor blowout, loading cases (wind, ice, temperature) and clearance verification.

o Structural interface: tower loading trees, load combinations, and coordination with structural teams for tower and foundation design.

· Engineering analysis is typically performed using PLS-CADD, PLS-TOWER, or POLE.

· Provide technical governance and review of complex design calculations prepared by other engineers, ensuring assumptions, methodologies, and outputs are robust and compliant.

3. Project Engineering, Team Leadership and Multidisciplinary Coordination

· Support or lead engineering delivery of overhead line projects across multiple project phases.

· Coordinate with structural, geotechnical, power systems, and environmental teams to deliver integrated solutions.

· Contribute to feasibility studies, route corridor assessments, and technical evaluations to identify preferred transmission line layouts.

· Provide technical input to proposals, project planning, and engineering deliverables.

· Lead and manage engineering teams, including allocation of resources, prioritization of workload, and monitoring of deliverable quality.

· Mentor, guide, and support junior and senior engineers, helping to develop technical capability, review skills, and career progression within the team.

· Act as a senior point of contact for internal team, clients, and project managers.

4. Standards, Compliance and Technical Assurance

· Ensure designs comply with relevant standards including IEC, IEEE, EN/British Standards, and National Grid or DNO specifications.

· Participate in design reviews, technical verification, and internal quality assurance processes.

5. Construction and Field Engineering Support

Provide technical support during construction and installation phases, including:

· Tower erection and foundation works

· Conductor stringing operations

· Resolution of site technical issues and field design adjustments

Qualifications

Mandatory

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Structural Engineering

Experience

· Typically 12+ years of experience in overhead transmission line engineering

· Proven experience working on HV/EHV transmission line projects (110kV – 400kV+)

· Experience delivering engineering design packages across multiple project phases

· Strong knowledge of Transmission line electrical and PLS CADD, TOWER, POLE

· Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams and overseeing design delivery on complex multidisciplinary projects

· Experience in technical review and approval of drawings, calculations, and design deliverables.

Leadership and Soft Skills

· Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

· Ability to lead and coordinate within multidisciplinary engineering teams

· Proven team leadership and people management skills

· Ability to mentor, develop, and performance-manage engineers and designers

· Strong decision-making and accountability in technical leadership roles

· Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

· Ability to oversee multiple projects, balance priorities, and maintain quality under programme pressure.

Nice to Have

· Experience working on UK transmission or distribution projects

· Exposure to National Grid standards and technical specifications

· Experience supporting construction or site engineering activities

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM  

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work  

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.