Senior Electrical Engineer

Role overview

TLI Group is looking for a Senior Electrical Engineer to strengthen its Engineering Team, with the main emphasis on high-voltage cable design. The position focuses on delivering engineering design for medium- and high-voltage underground cable systems ranging from 20 kV to 400 kV, supporting grid connections into the Irish transmission network (EirGrid) and distribution network (ESB Networks).

The work spans the full design lifecycle, including feasibility, concept development, planning, and detailed design. All outputs must align with Irish and international standards, project specifications, and site-specific limitations.

About TLI Group

TLI Group is a leading utility contractor with expertise in building and maintaining electrical and telecommunications infrastructure. The company has expanded through repeat and new business, a strong reputation for high-quality project delivery, and long-standing client relationships. Its teams operate across Northern Ireland, Great Britain, and Ireland.

Key responsibilities

The role covers cable system engineering, civil and route design, standards compliance, planning support, coordination with stakeholders, and support for procurement and construction activities.

Cable system engineering

• Carry out cable rating assessments in line with IEC 60287 and project-specific requirements, including ampacity, thermal behaviour, derating, horizontal directional drilling sections, crossings, and constrained urban conditions.
• Develop complete cable system designs, including cable sizing and material choice for 10/20/33/38/110/220/400 kV systems, sheath bonding arrangements, earthing coordination, accessory selection, cable pulling calculations, sidewall pressure checks, and installability reviews.

Civil and route design

• Lead route selection, constraint mapping, and feasibility studies while accounting for existing utilities, Irish Rail, TII limitations, environmental designations such as SAC, SPA, and NHA, heritage concerns, watercourses, and road classifications.
• Prepare trench layouts, joint bay locations, cross-sections, HDD profiles, and reinstatement details that satisfy EirGrid, ESB Networks, and TII requirements.
• Define wayleave widths, access track needs, and construction sequencing for underground cable installations.

Standards and compliance

• Ensure designs comply with EirGrid functional specifications, including the CDS-GFS-00-001 series for cable materials, civil works, and installation.
• Apply relevant IEC guidance for high-voltage cable design, including IEC 60287 and bonding/earthing requirements.
• Follow ESB Networks specifications for distribution and connection works where 20/38 kV systems interface with HV assets.
• Work in line with the HSA Code of Practice for preventing danger from underground services.

Planning and design support

• Prepare planning packs that may include trench drawings, route reports, constraint analyses, cross-sections, environmental inputs, and substation interface information.
• Provide technical input for EIAR and PECR scoping, route selection justification, and alternatives analysis where needed under Irish planning processes.

Coordination and stakeholder engagement

• Work closely with internal substation, civil, and overhead line design teams, along with external planning and environmental consultants, to support integrated grid connection design.
• Engage with EirGrid and ESB Networks engineers during design reviews and stage-gate checks.
• Support client, TSO, and TAO queries during reviews, tendering, and readiness for construction.
• Take part in and lead meetings with project stakeholders such as renewable developers, local authorities, ESB Networks, GNI, Iarnród Éireann, and landowners.

Procurement and construction support

• Contribute to tendering, procurement, and construction processes.
• Prepare material take-off sheets for construction work.
• Attend and witness cable FATs, installation activities, and site testing.

Typical deliverables

• Cable rating and thermal/ampacity reports.
• Route feasibility and constraint reports.
• Planning drawings covering trenches, joint bays, HDD, and reinstatement.
• Detailed design packs for tendering and construction.
• Bills of quantities, technical schedules, and procurement specifications.

Qualifications and experience

A degree in Electrical Engineering at Level 8 or above is required. Candidates should be a Chartered Engineer with Engineers Ireland, or be working toward chartership. The role calls for a solid understanding of HV power systems, underground cable thermal design, and cable installation engineering, along with proficiency in cable modelling software such as CYMCAP or an equivalent tool and CAD/GIS applications.

Experience-wise, the role is aimed at professionals with either 3+ years as an Engineer or 7+ years as a Senior Engineer in HV cable design for MV and HV networks. You should have a track record of delivering Irish MV and HV grid connection projects through feasibility, planning, and detailed design stages, plus familiarity with EirGrid and ESBN standards, HDD and trench design constraints, joint bay optimisation, and multidisciplinary grid delivery environments.

Desirable competencies

• Exposure to substation interface design, including sealing ends, fibre, and protection/metering boundaries.
• Understanding of deep or micro-bore tunnelling in constrained settings.
• Ability to produce cost estimates, risk assessments, and method statements.
• Strong communication skills for client and stakeholder interactions.

Package and benefits

• Competitive pay.
• 23 days of annual leave.
• Career progression opportunities within a growing organisation.
• Voluntary pension available after probation.
• Access to a LAYA Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 mental wellbeing support.
• Health insurance discount.
• Life assurance payment.
• Monthly HSQE and Driving Performance Awards.
• Employee referral scheme.
• Standard industry training provided.

Additional information

TLI Group is an equal opportunity employer.