Principle Cable Design Engineer

About the role

Balfour Beatty Power T&D are looking for a Principal Cable Design Engineer to join their team in Scotland.

Role Purpose

As Principal Cable Engineer, you will lead the design and development of high-voltage and extra-high-voltage power cable systems.

You will provide technical authority across all aspects of system design—electrical, mechanical, and installation—ensuring designs are safe, cost-effective, compliant, and delivered to the highest industry standards.

You will act as the key technical reference point for major projects, overseeing complex designs from feasibility and cost estimation through to detailed engineering for contract delivery.

What you'll be doing

Accountabilities

• The Principal Cable Engineer is responsible for providing leadership, expertise, and governance across the design team. You will drive design quality, mentor engineers, and ensure project deliverables meet client requirements, industry codes, and Balfour Beatty's engineering standards.

Key Duties:

• Lead the end-to-end design of HV/EHV cable systems for large-scale T&D projects.
• Oversee the preparation of detailed electrical and mechanical designs, including system ratings, pulling tensions, and hydraulic analyses.
• Direct the design and verification of cable supporting steelwork, foundations, and installation systems.
• Act as design authority in reviewing specifications, interpreting client requirements, and ensuring technical compliance.
• Provide expert guidance on non-standard or complex design issues, escalating to senior stakeholders only when necessary.
• Chair and contribute to technical meetings with clients, fabricators, suppliers, and contractors.
• Validate and approve design risk assessments in accordance with CDM regulations; ensure Health & Safety files are complete and robust.
• Mentor and develop engineers and draughts persons, reviewing and checking their work to ensure technical excellence.
• Collaborate with Estimators and Operations Engineers to support tenders, proposals, and project execution.
• Maintain compliance with international, national, and client-specific standards, while embedding best practices into design processes.
• Provide strategic input to the Cabling Design Manager on innovation, process improvements, and new design methodologies.

Who we're looking for

Personal Qualities and Experience

• Degree-level qualification in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering (or related discipline).
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards it is highly desirable.
• Extensive experience in the design of HV/EHV (11kV–400kV) power systems, equipment, and cables.
• Knowledge of substation electrical design and integration with transmission and distribution networks.
• Strong understanding of cable installation techniques, design principles, and construction practices.
• Proven track record of delivering complex T&D projects from concept through to detailed design.
• Ability to interpret and produce engineering drawings, circuit schematics, and cable system layouts.
• Proficient in AutoCAD and familiar with industry-standard design software/tools.
• Experience leading design risk assessments and producing Health & Safety documentation under CDM regulations.
• Demonstrated capability in strong leadership, stakeholder management, including clients, suppliers, and contractors.

Full UK driving licence and capacity to attend site visits, client meetings, and inspections as required within the project and department needs.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK's most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn't rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You'll have the freedom to shape the package that's right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.

• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)

• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave

• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

Balfour Beatty's Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks.

From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on-going maintenance, our in-house experts, flexible resources and industry-leading innovations support customers in the development of some of the UK's most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit

We are a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit:

Job Reference: BBUK15275