Underground Cable Engineer

Summary of the position

The UGC Engineering role is responsible for the engineering design and delivery of underground cable systems across medium, high, and extra-high voltage power transmission and distribution projects.

The role will support projects from route feasibility and cable system design through installation, testing, commissioning, and handover, ensuring that engineering solutions meet technical, safety, quality, environmental, and client requirements.

The position will work closely with clients, consultants, civil and electrical teams, contractors, cable manufacturers, and other engineering disciplines to ensure effective project delivery and high-quality engineering outcomes.

Key accountabilities

• Lead the engineering and design of underground cable systems for MV, HV and EHV transmission and distribution projects.
• Develop cable routes considering existing utilities, roads, railways, waterways, environmental constraints, constructability, and statutory requirements.
• Perform or oversee cable sizing, ampacity, voltage drop, short-circuit, thermal, earthing, and bonding calculations.
• Develop and review cable route layouts, trench, duct, tunnel, joint bay, termination, and cable support arrangements.
• Coordinate with civil, electrical, substation, protection, and other engineering disciplines to ensure integrated design.
• Support cable installation planning, including cable pulling, bending radius, pulling tension, jointing, termination, and installation methodology.
• Provide technical support during construction, installation, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Review and support testing including HV, VLF, Tan Delta, Partial Discharge, sheath integrity, insulation resistance, and continuity testing.
• Ensure engineering and installation activities comply with relevant IEC, IEEE, utility, client, and project standards.
• Support technical reviews, design assurance, quality inspections, NCR resolution, and engineering documentation.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, utilities, EPC contractors, OEMs, and project teams on technical and delivery requirements.
• Contribute to project planning, technical proposals, estimates, method statements, ITPs, and project documentation.
• Promote safe working practices, Safety by Design, risk assessment, and compliance with applicable HSE requirements.

Skills and Experience | Essential

• Relevant experience in underground cable engineering/design and power transmission or distribution projects.
• Strong experience in MV/HV/EHV underground cable systems, preferably within the UK power or utilities sector.
• Strong understanding of cable system design, including cable sizing, ampacity, thermal rating, voltage drop, short-circuit calculations, earthing, and bonding.
• Experience with cable route design, trench/duct systems, joint bays, cable installation, jointing, and termination.
• Proficiency in CYMCAP or equivalent cable calculation software.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and/or MicroStation.
• Good understanding of relevant IEC standards, particularly IEC 60287, IEC 60840 and IEC 62067.
• Experience working with utility/client specifications and engineering standards.
• Understanding of cable testing, commissioning, quality assurance, and installation requirements.
• Experience coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering and project teams.
• Strong technical documentation, reporting, and stakeholder management skills.
• Good understanding of HSE requirements, risk assessment, and safe working practices.

Skills and Experience | Desirable

• Experience with UK transmission and distribution networks, utilities, or major EPC/engineering consultancy organisations.
• Experience with National Grid, SSE, DNO/TO standards and specifications.
• Experience with ETAP, GIS mapping tools, Primavera P6 or MS Project.
• Experience with EHV cable systems and high-voltage transmission projects.
• Experience with GIS, cable route optimisation, and utility coordination.
• Knowledge of BIM/digital engineering and cable route modelling.
• Experience with cable manufacturers/OEMs and specialist jointing/termination contractors.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional qualification.
• Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure or renewable grid connection projects.