Principal Cable System Design Engineer

Overview

Principal Cables Engineer – T&D at AECOM. This senior leadership role drives technical excellence, leads complex cable projects, and supports strategic client engagement across a broad portfolio of high-voltage infrastructure schemes, spanning both onshore and offshore environments, including HVAC and HVDC applications. Our clients include Transmission System Operators, Distribution Network Operators, private developers, and international energy majors across the UK and globally.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of large-scale HV/EHV cable system projects from concept to completion, ensuring quality, safety, and innovation throughout the lifecycle.
• Develop and oversee HVAC and HVDC cable system designs, including routing, burial risk assessments, thermal, electromagnetic, and mechanical performance modelling.
• Provide expert input into cable system ratings, installation methodologies, jointing arrangements, cleating design, and system integration in challenging environments (e.g., subsea, tunnel, urban).
• Guide and validate complex calculations including ampacity, short circuit forces, EMC, induced voltages, and thermomechanical forces to meet compliance with National Grid TPs, IEC, and CIGRÉ standards.
• Lead client and stakeholder engagement, providing technical assurance, strategic direction, and value-engineered solutions on high-profile infrastructure programmes.
• Coordinate between disciplines, including civil, structural, OHL, substation, and marine engineering inputs, to ensure cohesive and integrated design solutions.
• Drive project execution, managing technical risks, interfaces, and quality reviews while supporting procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Conduct 3rd-party inspections, FAT/SAT witnessing, and vendor oversight for cable and ancillary equipment.
• Champion mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and technical development within the wider team, supporting capability growth in cable systems engineering.
• Support business development activities, including proposals, bid reviews, and client presentations.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience as a technical leader in HV/EHV cable system design across onshore and offshore projects, AC and DC.
• Proven track record in design, specification, and installation of complex cable systems including subsea, tunnel, urban, and constrained environments.
• In-depth understanding of international and UK standards, particularly National Grid TPs, IEC, and CIGRÉ guidelines.
• Experience working in regulated, quality-assured environments—preferably with National Grid, SSE, EirGrid, or equivalent TSO/DSO.
• Strong ability to coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams and engage with senior stakeholders across the project lifecycle.
• Excellent communication, client-facing, and team leadership skills.
• Commitment to fostering innovation, digital delivery, and sustainability in design.

Desirable Certifications & Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Electrical Engineering or related field; MSc/MEng advantageous.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards.
• National Grid CDAE certification or similar.
• Experience with cable system software (e.g., CYMCAP, WinCable) and advanced analysis tools.
• Offshore project delivery certifications (e.g., GWO/BOSIET) beneficial but not essential.

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. We are a Fortune 500 firm, delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come.

Why Join Us

• Be part of a dynamic team that tackles challenging and impactful projects.
• Work alongside industry-leading professionals and thought leaders.
• Engage in a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Access to continuous learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Additional Information

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments are available via ReasonableAdjustments@aecom.com.

If you meet some of the requirements or have transferable skills, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

To learn more about the role or working at AECOM, see our Candidate & Energy brochures or connect with our recruiter on LinkedIn.

All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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