Cable Technical Lead (Energy)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Flexible hours

Health & Wellbeing programme

Support for chartership

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Technical Lead for the Cable design team. In this role, you will lead engineering activities, providing technical support across WSP’s Energy Networks portfolio while ensuring that design standards comply with industry regulations.

The ideal candidate will have senior-level experience in Cable design within the UK Transmission sector, a BEng in Electrical Engineering, and strong expertise in cable design software. The position offers hybrid working arrangements and a focus on health and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in Cable design & leadership within the UK Transmission sectors.
• Strong expertise in Cable engineering systems.
• In-depth understanding of UK utility technical standards, grid codes and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Cable design function.
• Provide technical oversight across all project phases.
• Build, lead and mentor a high-performing team of engineers.

Skills

Cable engineering systems

Cymcap and cable design software

AutoCAD and drawing packages

Education

Minimum BEng in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Cymcap

AutoCAD

Job description

Job Description

As the Technical Lead of the Cable design team, you will lead engineering activities and are responsible for technical support and design across WSP’s Energy Networks portfolio. You will act as the technical authority for Cable design, ensuring safe, compliant and high‑quality engineering solutions aligned with client requirements, regulatory standards and industry best practice. The role combines technical leadership, strategic direction, team development and engagement with key stakeholders across UK&I transmission operators. A core requirement of the role is to ensure the organisation has the right capability, capacity, governance and quality controls in place to deliver complex cable transmission projects to program to budget and standards.

Strategic Leadership

• Lead and develop the Cable design function.
• Define technical standards, best practices and long‑term capability requirements.
• Promote safety‑by‑design, quality assurance and compliance with UK/EU legislation and industry standards (ENA, BS, IEC).
• Align design resources with business strategy and project demand.
• Support resource planning and recruitment.

Technical Authority

• Set direction for Cable design including Basic & Detailed design packages.
• Approve design deliverables to ensure technical integrity, constructability, and compliance with utility standards.

Project Delivery & Governance

• Provide technical oversight across all project phases: concept, FEED, detailed design, construction and commissioning.
• Drive consistency, quality and risk management across design packages.
• Support tendering activities including bid preparation, estimating and scope definition.

People Leadership

• Build, lead and mentor a high‑performing team of engineers and technical specialists.
• Define career pathways, training programmes, standardisation of design activities, and performance expectations.
• Enable effective collaboration with HV Plant, Civil, OHL, P&C, DNO and project management teams.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the organisation as a senior technical authority in client, regulator and partner meetings.
• Work with external design houses, suppliers and contractors to optimise technical solutions.
• Manage client feedback to support continuous improvement and strong commercial relationships.

What We Will Be Looking For

• Senior‑level experience in Cable design & leadership within the UK Transmission sectors.
• Strong expertise in Cable engineering systems.
• Strong expertise in Cymcap and cable design software (cableizer etc), exposure to AutoCAD and drawing packages.
• In‑depth understanding of UK utility technical standards, grid codes and regulatory frameworks.

Qualifications

• Minimum BEng in Electrical Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng, IET) or working towards chartership.
• Experience working with UK Transmission Operators.

Preferences

• Cable CDAE/LCDAE in UK National Grid Projects.
• BP141 Authorisation in HV Cables.
• Understanding / Experience in EirGrid, SSE requirements / Projects.

Benefits

• Work‑life balance: hybrid working policy, flexible hours, “WSP My Hour” and part‑time arrangements.
• Inclusivity & Belonging: culture of inclusion and belonging, employee resource groups.
• Health & Wellbeing: Thrive programme, virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, gym flex scheme and menopause support package.
• Development: training, mentoring, support for chartership.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.