Route Engineer 12 month Fixed Term Contract Maternity Cover in Chelmsford

An excellent opportunity has arisen to join OceanIQ as a Route Engineer on a 12-month fixed term contract for maternity cover, ideally starting from 1st July 2026, with the potential for a permanent position. OceanIQ delivers industry-leading subsea cable GIS data, route engineering, permitting and survey services for submarine power and telecommunications cable projects worldwide, and is part of the Global Marine Group.

The Route Engineer will work with marine survey data and corporate GIS tools to design secure, practical and efficient submarine cable routes that mitigate technical, environmental and third-party risks. The role includes supporting route selection for both existing and future cable systems, assessing route constraints, producing route position lists and technical studies, and contributing to the successful delivery of desktop studies, burial assessments, permitting inputs and marine survey scopes. The successful candidate will also assist with the costing, specification, review and management of marine surveys and other subcontracted work, while working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to help deliver high-quality technical outputs across the full lifecycle of subsea cable projects.

Key Deliverables

• Generate cable route position lists and straight-line diagrams to support route development, engineering definition and project deliverables.
• Prepare cost estimates for desktop studies, burial assessments, marine surveys and related route engineering activities to support project planning and commercial review.
• Review survey tenders, procedures and reports to ensure technical quality, consistency and suitability for project objectives.
• Prepare Cable Route Desktop Studies by bringing together available geospatial, environmental, seabed, infrastructure and third-party data to inform route selection.
• Research and assess the range of factors influencing cable routeing, including seabed conditions, existing infrastructure, human activity, environmental constraints and permitting considerations.
• Undertake visits to potential cable landing sites and engage with local stakeholders, authorities and other interested parties where required.
• Prepare, maintain and manage GIS databases to support desktop studies, landfall assessments and wider route engineering activities.
• Assess marine survey data for use in cable routeing, route optimisation and burial analysis, ensuring recommendations are technically robust and risk based.
• Carry out post-survey route engineering, incorporating survey findings into updated route design, technical assessments and installation-ready outputs.
• Present findings, recommendations and project work clearly and professionally to internal teams, clients and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Practical experience using GIS software such as Intergraph GeoMedia, ESRI or equivalent geospatial platforms to support technical analysis and route development.
• Strong technical writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate and well-structured reports, studies and supporting project documentation.
• Degree in earth sciences, geology, geography, geophysics, oceanography or another relevant discipline.
• Confident user of technical software and digital tools, with the ability to work accurately across data, mapping and project support systems.
• Demonstrates a proactive approach to learning, with the adaptability and enthusiasm to develop new technical skills and broaden capability.
• Excellent attention to detail, with a logical and methodical approach to analysing information and solving technical problems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with technical teams, clients and subcontractors.

Desirable

• Experience of marine cable installation or related offshore/subsea project delivery.
• Good understanding of the offshore environment and the practical considerations associated with subsea cable projects.
• Experience interpreting geophysical, hydrographic or geotechnical survey data to support offshore or subsea engineering assessments.

Location

This role is ideally based in our Chelmsford Head office and follows a hybrid working arrangement, with three days per week in the office (Tuesday to Thursday) and two days working remotely (Monday and Friday). We would also consider remote working, with regular visits to the office, for candidates based further afield.