Senior Engineer, High Voltage Cable Design - Southwire Company

Southwire Job Description

Southwire designs, manufactures, markets, and implements High Voltage Underground Cable and Systems in North America. Southwire’s strategy is to aggressively grow its sales volume in HV underground cables, accessories, and installation as well as its cable systems related portfolio of ancillary products and services.  This Sr. High Voltage Cable Design Engineering position encompasses the design and analysis of parts, components, assemblies, and subassemblies of underground HV/EHV transmission cable systems, and the production of associated drawings and instructions.  This position will assist the engineering manager in leading and training the High Voltage cable engineering team.   Under limited direction, this individual will perform a variety of complex engineering assignments requiring in-depth knowledge of electrical engineering plus an understanding of related high-voltage equipment and engineering aspects to cost effectively achieve objectives.  Individual will proactively seek and implement initiatives to improve operations and increase customer satisfaction.

Description of Duties and Responsibilities

•Under limited direction, design complete cable system solutions, including accessories, link boxes, fiber optic components, grounding details and bonding schemes for voltage classes 69kV up to 500kV, using advanced computer programs, analytical techniques, or control strategies to effectively meet project/bid requirements and resolve problems.

•Represent Southwire as a subject matter expert in studying the electro-mechanical behavior of HV/EHV cable systems to support installation and in-field applications. 

•Lead the preparation of specifications, proposals for contracts, licensing and safety documents, and obtain required approvals in cooperation with the Sales & Marketing and Project Management teams. Revise and improve existing processes to achieve greater efficiency. 

•Support manufacturing throughout the production cycle.  This includes creating testing plans, leading design handover meetings and solving problems on the manufacturing floor.  Make recommendations as needed to facilitate between production, installation and the customer.  

•Act as principal investigator or lead a group of engineers investigating problems, developing solutions and preparing related recommendations and reports.  Execute Research & Development projects including planning, timeline forecast, budget management, logistics coordination using the “Stage Gate” process.  

•Represent the HV engineering group in meetings and conferences; interact with customers to provide training seminars as well as resolve significant technical issues and develop related action plans. •Make formal technical presentations to customers and to industry forums and at conferences.

•Train, educate and assist junior level engineers with their projects and calculations. 

•Promote safety in the workplace and all project sites following Southwire’s Culture of ZERO.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements

•Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field plus 10 years of experience, or a special combination of education and experience and/or demonstrated accomplishments

•Thorough working knowledge of underground power transmission engineering discipline, plus an understanding of related disciplines to coordinate activities, analyze and resolve problems.  Technical input, recommendations and decisions may impact the organization's effectiveness and customer relations. 

•Proficiency in requirements of ICEA, AEIC, IEC and IEEE standards, as well as thermal, mechanical and electrical field calculations

•Ability to read and analyze engineering drawings

•Strong technical writing ability and solid communication skills. Requires ability to interface with customers and internally with Southwire personnel and leadership.  

•Expertise in software packages including Cymcap, Comsol Multiphysics, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Matlab, PSCAD, Pull Planner and Microsoft Office Suite

•Knowledge of power transmission cable industry and markets

•Strong working knowledge of cable materials, testing process, etc.

•Proficiency in visual basic and similar programming languages, primarily for use in coding spreadsheets and macros within Microsoft Excel

Competencies