Overview
AECOM, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Principal Cables Engineer - T&D. Senior leadership role within the Transmission & Distribution team, driving technical excellence, leading complex projects, and supporting strategic client engagement across high-voltage infrastructure schemes. Onshore and offshore cable systems (HVAC and HVDC) across multiple voltage levels, for clients including Transmission System Operators, Distribution Network Operators, private developers, and international energy majors.
Join a global team delivering projects that shape the grid of tomorrow. This role offers collaboration with civil, mechanical, electrical, and process engineers to deliver projects from concept to completion, with a focus on innovation, digital delivery, and sustainability within cable engineering.
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 (civil, structural, OHL, substation, marine) to ensure cohesive 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 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-specific 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/DNOs.
* 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.
You will also be self-motivated with an ability to work autonomously, with a strong sense of commitment, a willingness to learn, and a desire to work in a dynamic deadline-driven team environment.
Additional Information
We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. Reasonable accommodations available on request.
Application support: ReasonableAdjustments@aecom.com
Further information: candidate brochures and exploration of opportunities; connect with our recruiter on LinkedIn or email rhys.platten@aecom.com to discuss roles and register interest.
About AECOM: a Fortune 500 global infrastructure firm delivering services across advisory, planning, design, engineering, and construction management. We are committed to an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace and provide hybrid working options.
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