Underground Transmission Line Design Lead

Jacobs; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 133,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase program

Unlimited PPTO

Seven paid holidays

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking an Underground Transmission Line Design Lead in the United States to guide engineering teams on high-voltage cable projects. You will mentor engineers, oversee design and estimation, and ensure proper coordination with other disciplines.

The role requires 10+ years in engineering with 5+ years in underground/subsea cable design and a PE license or the ability to obtain one within 6 months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Civil, Mechanical or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 10 years engineering experience with at least 5 years in underground/subsea cable design.
• PE license or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams in consulting, utility, or EPC settings.
• Familiarity with CYMCAP, cable design software and industry standards (IEC, IEEE, CIGRE).

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and direct line management for engineers on underground transmission projects.
• Develop HV/EHV cabling system specifications and design reviews.
• Provide technical support on HV cable systems; prepare routes and technical reports.
• Conduct design reviews, calculations, and interface with other engineering functions.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, performance reviews, and development planning.
• Support workforce planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.

Skills

Technical leadership

Underground transmission

Cable design & installation

Team mentoring

Resource planning

Travel availability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Civil, Mechanical

Tools

CYMCAP

Pull-Planner

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

The energy industry, particularly transmission grids, is undergoing major changes to accommodate for regional and global demand growth, decarbonization and energy transition targets. Underground and subsea cable technology are increasingly becoming a major player in large-scale and long-distance power transmission.

As the Underground Transmission Line Design Lead, you will work closely with regional and global underground transmission and cable experts within Jacobs to support and/or lead ongoing projects as well as business development and proposal support with a variety of clients including renewable developers, transmission owner/developers as well as utilities.

In addition to serving as a technical lead, this role includes formal line management responsibilities for a team of engineers. The successful candidate will be responsible for employee development, performance management, resource planning, mentoring, recruitment, succession planning, and supporting career growth within the Underground Transmission team.

The successful candidate shall demonstrate related experience and technical knowledge in the field of underground transmission, cable engineering design and installation, with emphasis on high voltage applications (69kV and above), through experience with consulting engineering firms, developers and/or direct exposure to OEMs. Knowledge of electrical design/studies, functional/technical specifications, and/or FAT/SAT commissioning related to cable systems is preferred.

Duties for this position include but are not limited to

• Provide both technical leadership and direct line management for engineers working on underground transmission projects, including coaching, mentoring, performance evaluations, development planning, recruitment, onboarding, and training.
• Develop HV/EHV cabling systems specifications, concept/detailed design and design review, estimation, sitesupervisionand support asrequired.
• Provide technical support to the team on HV cable system engineering and design.
• Prepare power cable route specifications,technical specificationsand reports, and progress reports.
• Confirm correctandaccurateinterface with other engineering functions involved in the projects
• Attend and conduct internal and external meetings with colleagues, clients, and subcontractors.
• Performand/or reviewtechnical calculations including cable size, rating calculations,electromechanical andthermomechanicalforces andEMF calculations,sheath induced voltage calculations and other.
• Perform design reviewsandverification of design.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, performance reviews, and development discussions with direct reports.
• Support employee career progression through mentoring, training, and succession planning.
• Participate in workforce planning, resource allocation, and hiring activities to meet business needs.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team environment.
• Support compensation, promotion, performance improvement, and recognition processes in partnership with leadership and HR.
• Monitor teamutilization, workload balancing, and professional developmentobjectives. #epjobs #naepjobs

Here’s what you'll need

• Bachelor’s degree inElectrical, Civil,Mechanicalor related engineeringdisciplinefrom a recognized institution
• Minimum10years ofengineeringindustryexperience and a minimum of5 years ofdirect experience with underground and/or subsea cable design and installation.
• Professional Engineer (PE orPEng) License or ability to obtain within 6 months
• Experience managing and developing multidisciplinary engineering teams in a consulting, utility, developer, or EPC environment.
• Ability to work with cable design software such as CYMCAP, Pull-Planner, etc
• Knowledge of applicable industry standards such as IEC,IEEEand CIGRE.
• Experienceworkingwith major global cable OEMs.
• Ability and willingness to travel within North America.

Ideally, You’ll Also Have

• Experience with HVDC and subsea cable technologies
• Active/ongoing involvement in power cable related working groups and standards committees such as ICC or CIGRE

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $132,900.00 to $174,450.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on August 17, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

At Jacobs, we’re partnering across the globe to create the best project outcomes by maximizing the design, digital technology, and support capabilities of our Global Integrated Delivery (GID) teammates. By joining Jacobs, you’ll commit to supporting and engaging with these teams, as we work to build a company like no other.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.