Offshore Wind
Transmission and Cables Engineer Edinburgh - United KingdomOur client are seeking a highly skilled Offshore Wind Cable System (including all Transmission Interfaces: Terminations/Joints…) to join their team and play a key role in the specification, engineering design, testing, and installation of subsea power cables for our clients offshore wind farm.
The successful candidate will work both on the EC (Export Cable) and IAC (Inter Array Cable) packages.
More broadly this role will be expected to support or lead on a range of transmission system related matters:
External interfaces - Strong knowledge about design inputs necessary to interfaces with all the other packages: GIS (switchgear), OSS/OSP (Offshore Sub Station), FOU (foundations)
Internal interfaces - Inside the cable package with the T&I engineers to prevent failures. Installation is a particularly high cause of failures so contractor should bring insight on how to minimize this risk particularly from an electrical point of view: at termination and joints
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring development of robust cable designs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and employer specific requirements, and check diligently that all testing activities (FAT during manufacture but also installation testing) of the cable system is reliable and ensure as much as possible that no failures will occur.
Key Responsibilities
Review and Development of Employer’s Requirements (ERs) & Technical Specifications
Review and update Employer’s Requirements (ERs), specifications, and associated schedules related to cable design, supply, manufacturing, installation and testing.
Develop and maintain technical documentation, specifications, and design reports to support Employer’s Requirements for both internal use and contractor procurement.
Ensure all cable system-related documentation aligns with project-specific needs and regulatory standards.
Technical Evaluations & Contractor Support
Provide design and technical support by clarifying requirements and assessing proposed solutions from suppliers.
Review and comment on detailed costing of all materials, production processes, and technical services provided by contractors.
Interface Management & Coordination
Identify and coordinate supply interfaces between design, testing, delivery (load-out), and installation across related work packages.
Engage regularly with the team to ensure clear communication, coordination of comments, and approval processes.
Work closely with Cables Transport & Installation (T&I) teams to ensure interface requirements and cross-design approvals are managed efficiently within the project timeline.
Contractor Oversight & Compliance with Employer’s Requirements
Review, coordinate, and manage contractor cable system designs and installation methodologies to ensure compliance with Employer’s Requirements.
Participate in contractor meetings at all project execution phases to validate design compliance and risk mitigation strategies.
Provide technical support to Package Manager(s) / Package Directors by preparing formal reports that assist with engineering design decisions during project execution.
Participate in audits of contractor cable manufacturing facilities, installation vessels, and key subcontractors, including cable protection system (CPS) and related cable ancillaries as appropriate.
Electrical System Design & Integration
Work closely with the Electrical Engineer(s) to ensure that cable design aligns with the overall wind farm electrical system and supports power transmission performance.
Ensure all cable designs meet grid connection requirements and electrical performance standards for offshore wind transmission.
Cable System Quality Control
Plan, coordinate, and evaluate Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) for inter-array and export cables + accessories to ensure compliance with project specifications and regulatory requirements.
Develop and implement an Inspection and Test Protocol to support quality control during cable system design, manufacturing, transportation, and installation.
Conduct on-site quality assurance checks at manufacturing and testing facilities.
Prevent failures. Installation is a particularly high cause of failures so contractor should bring insight on how to minimize this risk electrically and mechanically: at termination and joints, CPS
Project Execution, Monitoring & Reporting
Participate in regular technical and progress meetings across multiple project work packages.
Ensure compliance monitoring by engaging in on-site inspections during manufacturing, installation, and commissioning phases.
Conduct root cause analysis and system investigations for any cable-related failures or performance issues.
Ensure appropriate input to integrated change management control process with technical due diligence.
Skills Required
Experience with HVAC transmission systems for offshore wind applications.
Knowledge of GIS software for cable routing and seabed mapping.
Understanding of finite element analysis (FEA) for mechanical stress evaluation.
Offshore safety certifications (e.g., GWO, BOSIET) are a plus.
Experience/Knowledge
Minimum 5 years of Proven experience in cable design, engineering, and testing within offshore wind or power transmission industries.
Strong understanding of power cable design and electrical performance.
Experience with cable system modelling tools (e.g., CYMCAP, COMSOL, ANSYS) and thermal/mechanical stress analysis.
Knowledge of FAT procedures, high-voltage testing, termination methods and cable manufacturing processes.
Familiarity with installation methodologies, cable protection techniques, and burial risk assessments.
Experience conducting root cause analysis (RCA) and system performance investigations related to transmission systems.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
Excellent communication skills for technical reporting, stakeholder engagement, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering (ideally) or Electrical, Offshore Engineering (ideally), but if it’s not possible at least Electrical Engineering.