Associate Director - Data Centres (HV Substation Design) - 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 Company Description Work with Us. Change the World. At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations. There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world. We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us. Job Description Start here. Grow here. We are trusted by the world's leading Hyperscalers and Data Centre operators to deliver the critical HV infrastructure that underpins their most ambitious programmes. Our clients include globally recognised names driving the cloud computing revolution — organisations that demand the highest standards of engineering excellence, reliability, and technical innovation. As an Associate Director, you will be at the heart of this work, leading end-to-end HV substation design for hyperscale and co-location data centre clients across the UK, Ireland and Europe, shaping grid‑scale power infrastructure from concept through to energisation on projects that few engineers get the opportunity to be involved in. Here’s what you’ll do: 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 Enjoy the Perks 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. Qualifications Ready to push the limits of what's possible in data centre power infrastructure? Here’s what we’re looking for: 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 We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io . At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you! About AECOM AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public‑and‑private‑sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re 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 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. AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well‑being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours. We are aDisabilityConfidentEmployer 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 View email address on click.appcast.io if you would like to apply through the DisabilityConfidentInterview Scheme. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. #J-18808-Ljbffr AECO