Principal Cables Engineer - T&D

AECOM; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A global infrastructure consulting firm is seeking a Principal Cables Engineer in Cardiff. This senior role involves leading technical delivery of HV/EHV cable systems and engaging with clients on high-profile projects. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in cable system design and a commitment to innovation within the energy sector, contributing to shaping the grid of tomorrow.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Continuous learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience as a technical leader in cable system design.
• Proven track record in complex cable systems installation.
• Strong understanding of national and international standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of HV/EHV cable system projects.
• Oversee HVAC and HVDC cable system designs.
• Guide complex calculations for compliance standards.

Skills

HV/EHV cable system design

Technical leadership

Client engagement

Multidisciplinary team coordination

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Cable system software (CYMCAP, WinCable)

Job description

Company Description

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. 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. We’re 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.

Job Description

Start here. Grow here.

We are seeking a Principal Cables Engineer to join our expanding Transmission & Distribution (T&D) team within AECOM. This is a senior leadership role 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.

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.

Qualifications

Ready 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 Information

Application Support

We 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 [e-mail]. 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!

“Want to find out more about the role or what working at AECOM is like?”

You can learn more about us here: Candidate Brochure & Energy Brochure

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About AECOM

AECOM 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. 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 Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. You will be working in a dynamic environment where 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 [e-mail] if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.