Principal Cables Engineer - T&D

AECOM

  • Cardiff
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 16 days ago
Company Description"At AECOM, your expertise in cables connects global energy futures.”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 nearly 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 DescriptionStart here. Grow here.“Are you ready to join a team of talented engineers to power the future, shape the grid and lead with impact?”We are seeking a Principal Cables Engineer to join our expanding Transmission & Distribution (T&D) team within AECOM. This is a senior leadership role within the business, with responsibility for driving technical excellence, leading complex projects, and supporting strategic client engagement across a broad portfolio of high-voltage infrastructure schemes.As a Principal Engineer, you will play a critical role in the planning, design, and delivery of cable systems across multiple voltage levels, 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.You will lead multidisciplinary project teams, act as a trusted advisor to clients, and contribute to developing our technical standards, innovation strategy, and digital delivery approach within the cable engineering space.This is a fantastic opportunity to be at the forefront of energy transition, delivering world-class solutions for projects that are shaping the grid of tomorrow.Here's what you will do:
  • 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-level 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.
  • Manage coordination 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.
Come grow with us.Become part of our dynamic T&D team, which boasts a team of leading and innovating industry experts. Collaborate with top-tier civil, mechanical, electrical, and process engineers to deliver a variety of captivating projects, from small initiatives to large-scale ventures, all the way from concept to completion. At AECOM, you'll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued.And let's not forget about 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.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.
QualificationsReady to push the limits of what's possible?Here's what we're looking for:The successful engineer will have/be:
  • 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 both autonomously where required, with a strong sense of commitment, a willingness to learn and a desire to work in a dynamic deadline driven team environment.At AECOM, we believe in creating a better world through innovative and sustainable solutions. If you share our vision and are ready to make a difference in the energy industry, we want to hear from you.Additional InformationApplication SupportWe 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 . 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!Additional Information“Want to find out more about the role or what working at AECOM is like?”You can learn more about us here: &Or why not connect directly with our recruiter on LinkedIn to unlock insights and take the next step towards your dream career!Alternatively you can email the recruiter at or register your interest and we'll keep you updated on our latest opportunities.#LI-RP1About AECOMAECOM 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. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.Freedom to Grow in a World of OpportunityYou 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.Join us, and you'll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm - access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours.We are a Disability Confident Employer 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 if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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