Principal Design Engineer - Underground Cables

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.

Desirable Criteria

• 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

In line with Omexom’s values, the jobholder must possess the following qualities:

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.