Lead / Principal Cable Design Engineer in Manchester

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world. Arup undertakes transmission and distribution design projects across the globe. In the UK, we deliver concept through to detail design for a wide range of clients including established asset owners and new market entrants (interconnectors, private wire schemes etc). As an example, Arup recently formed a joint venture with AECOM to serve as the design and consenting service partner for the UK National Grid’s Great Grid Partnership. Over a period of 8–12 years, Arup will help deliver key aspects of the transmission grid transformation, ensuring a resilient, low-carbon energy network for the future. This is the UK’s major grid modernisation programme, set to deliver five times more electricity infrastructure than has been built in the past three decades.

These projects, part of the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework, will enhance the country’s energy backbone, supporting planned renewable developments such as wind farms in the North Sea and East Anglia coastline. By expanding and enhancing the grid, this programme will accelerate the transition to net zero, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and drive down energy costs. This collaboration will drive a comprehensive design and construction program aimed at connecting clean energy to homes and businesses across England and Wales by 2030 and beyond.

We are seeking a highly experienced individual for technical leadership and strategic delivery of transmission cable system designs. This role combines technical expertise with leadership opportunities, ensuring the successful design and integration of cable systems for major electricity transmission projects. You will help guide best practice design, teams and complex cable projects.

Step into a pivotal leadership role where you’ll define and uphold best‑in‑class practices for HVAC or HVDC cable design across a diverse portfolio of projects. You’ll guide design teams with clarity and confidence, driving innovation, managing risk, and ensuring every solution meets the highest IEC, IEEE, and national grid standards. You’ll oversee the full lifecycle of high‑voltage transmission cable systems—both AC and DC, overhead and underground—approving detailed designs and championing continuous improvement. Alongside delivering projects, you’ll play a key role in developing talent, mentoring junior engineers, and leading rigorous technical reviews. Furthermore, you’ll support tendering with authoritative insight and cost‑optimisation strategies. You’ll also shape the future of the industry by spearheading new technology initiatives, enhancing design methodologies, and representing the organisation in key industry forums.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

We are looking for people who:

• A Degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline; Chartered Engineer status essential.
• Experience in high-voltage transmission cable design (HV/EHV systems).
• A proven track record of leading engineering teams and delivering large-scale projects.
• Strong knowledge of IEC, IEEE, and other relevant standards.
• Working knowledge in advanced design software (such as CDEGS, CYMCAP, Comsol, AutoCAD or equivalent).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Previous National Grid experience (preferred but not essential).

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

Different people, shared values. Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.