Job Title:
- Principal Design Engineer - Underground Cables
- Reporting To: Head of Design - Underground Cables
- Business Unit: Omexom Design
- Location: Glasgow / Sutton (London) / Manchester
Purpose Of The Position
To provide technical leadership and expert-level design input for underground high-voltage (HV) and extra-high-voltage (EHV) cable systems across major infrastructure projects.
The role combines deep engineering knowledge with strategic oversight of design practices, acting as a senior authority on cable system design, compliance, and innovation.
Key Responsibilities And Duties Including But Not Limited To:
- Act as a technical lead across HV/EHV cable system design activities, ensuring solutions are safe, robust, compliant, and cost-effective.
- Oversee complex cable design packages (33kV and above), ensuring technical excellence across concept, feasibility, and detailed design phases.
- Develop, own, and assist with maintaining internal design standards, methodologies, templates, and tools relevant to HV/EHV cable systems.
- Ensure all design deliverables meet industry standards, regulatory requirements, and company best practices.
- Perform and supervise detailed analyses including thermal, electrical, ampacity, and mechanical stress assessments using tools such as CYMCAP, ELEK, and AutoCAD.
- Lead technical peer reviews, quality checks, and design audits to maintain a high standard of engineering output.
- Support the development of junior engineers through guidance, feedback, and training in best practice design techniques.
- Promote new technologies, design methods, and continuous improvement within the cable design discipline.
- Participate in professional forums and maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends through organisations such as IET, CIGRÉ, and IEEE.
Governance And Stakeholder Interfaces
The Design Planner will maintain strong relationships and typically interface with:
- Heads Of Design
- Design Managers
- Lead Design Engineers
- Client Representatives
- Supplier Representatives
- Operations Engineers and Site Teams
- Technical Managers
- Internal Design Teams
Person Specification
The successful candidate will demonstrate high levels of technical competence, leadership, and a passion for delivering safe and innovative engineering solutions.
They will be able to work independently whilst enjoying being part of a friendly, ambitious, and growing team.
Essential Qualifications And Experience
- A degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline; a Master's degree (MSc/MEng) is advantageous.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, or actively working towards chartership with significant relevant experience.
- Extensive and demonstrable experience in HV/EHV underground cable system design, ideally including work at 132kV and above.
- Strong working knowledge of cable selection, route design, installation techniques, accessories, thermal and electrical performance, and compliance standards.
- Advanced proficiency in CYMCAP, ELEK, and AutoCAD; familiarity with additional tools such as MATLAB is beneficial.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex engineering calculations, simulations, and system assessments.
- Proven experience in technical leadership, including mentoring and team development.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly and confidently.
- Membership of professional institutions (e.g. IET, CIGRÉ, IEEE) is highly desirable.
- Experience working in multidisciplinary project environments within the energy transmission or infrastructure sectors.
- Knowledge of international and UK cable standards and regulatory frameworks.
- Ability to challenge and improve existing practices through a proactive, innovation-driven mindset.
Omexom Values
Team Spirit & Generosity - Able to work effectively within and contribute to the Omexom team to deliver results, provide support, and drive performance.
Trust and Empowerment - Enjoy managing responsibilities and time to ensure work is completed efficiently and professionally.
Integrity and Responsibility - Take ownership of duties and manage them effectively to ensure efficient, high-quality results.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship - Continually strive to improve processes and introduce new initiatives to improve efficiency.