Senior Cable Design Engineer

The Opportunity

ARCA Resourcing is partnering with a specialist engineering business delivering complex transmission and distribution projects across the UK.

With increasing demand across HV and EHV cable systems, the business is investing in its in-house design capability. This hire will play a key role in delivering technically robust cable designs and shaping future design standards within the organisation.

This isn’t just a design role, it’s a chance to influence how projects are engineered and delivered.

Role Overview

You’ll take ownership of HV/EHV underground cable system design from concept through to detailed design and construction support.

Working across multidisciplinary teams, you’ll ensure solutions are technically sound, buildable, and aligned to programme and commercial constraints — while acting as a key technical interface with clients and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Cable System Design

• Deliver HV/EHV cable system designs (typically 33kV–400kV)
• Undertake cable sizing, selection, and system configuration
• Produce detailed design packages including drawings, layouts, and specifications
• Define cable routes, installation methods, and system layouts
• Specify accessories including joints, terminations, and bonding systems

Electrical Design & Calculations

• Perform and review key cable calculations including ampacity (CYMCAP), thermal modelling, and short-circuit ratings
• Carry out sheath bonding and induced voltage calculations
• Assess losses, EMF, and overall system performance
• Ensure designs meet performance, safety, and reliability standards

Installation Engineering

• Develop installation methodologies for cable systems
• Assess pulling tensions, sidewall bearing pressures, and installation constraints
• Define requirements for trenching, ducting, HDD, or tunnelling
• Ensure designs are practical and aligned to site conditions

Survey Definition & Integration

• Define survey requirements (topographical, PAS128, GI, environmental)
• Review and interpret survey outputs to inform routing and constructability
• Identify gaps or risks in survey data and specify further requirements
• Ensure survey data is fully integrated into design outputs

Technical Compliance & Assurance

• Ensure compliance with National Grid, DNO, IEC, and BS standards
• Support technical assurance processes, design reviews, and approvals
• Ensure alignment with CDM and regulatory requirements

Project & Stakeholder Coordination

• Work closely with civil, structural, and construction teams
• Align design outputs with programme and delivery constraints
• Act as a technical interface with clients, including National Grid and DNOs
• Support design approvals and technical queries

Bids & Technical Input

• Support tender submissions with design input and assumptions
• Contribute to cost drivers, risks, and technical proposals
• Review specifications and support bid development

Mentoring & Capability Building

• Support and mentor junior engineers and designers
• Contribute to the development of internal cable design capability
• Drive continuous improvement in design processes and standards

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Strong experience in HV/EHV underground cable design (33kV–400kV)
• Proven track record delivering full cable design packages (concept → construction)
• Experience working on National Grid and/or UK DNO projects
• Strong capability in cable installation engineering and associated calculations
• Proficiency in tools such as CYMCAP, Cableizer, AutoCAD (or equivalent)
• Strong understanding of cable systems, accessories, and bonding

Desirable

• Degree in Electrical Engineering (or related discipline)
• Chartered Engineer status (or working towards)
• Experience supporting construction or commissioning phases
• Experience in trenchless installation methods (HDD, microtunnelling)

Development & Progression

This role offers a clear route into Lead or Principal Engineer level, with increasing responsibility across technical leadership, design governance, and client engagement.

For more information, please apply via the link below.