Project Manager – High Voltage Cables (132kV–400kV)
England & Scotland (South East England, West Coast of Scotland, East Anglia)
Permanent / Contract — permanent preferred, strong contractors considered
£80,000–£90,000 + car allowance (permanent) | £400–£600 per day, all-in (contract)

Overview

EMBS is working in partnership with a specialist high-voltage cable installation and jointing contractor, operating across England & Scotland, that is currently in the market for experienced Project Managers to join their business on a permanent or contract basis.

This market leader is a long-standing framework partner to the UK's major transmission and distribution network operators, delivering schemes up to 400kV, and boasts a rich history of supporting nationally significant network infrastructure with safety-critical, highly complex projects. Backed by a larger group with a secure, funded pipeline, the business is entering a significant growth phase — and these are the appointments being made at the start of that journey.

What's in it for you?

Stability / Longevity: A secure, funded pipeline of major network reinforcement schemes — not project-to-project uncertainty — with the backing of a larger, growing group and genuine progression as the business scales.

Competitive salary: £80,000–£90,000 plus car allowance (permanent), or £400–£600 per day all-in (contract).

Hours: Days

Benefits: Car allowance, plus travel, lodge and subsistence support when working away, and free AI upskilling through Peak Intelligence for every candidate placed.

Responsibilities

Off the back of continued success and a secure, funded pipeline of major schemes, our client is seeking five or more experienced Project Managers to take ownership of live high-voltage cable schemes mobilising in August and September 2026.

Your responsibilities will include:

As a Project Manager, you will take full lifecycle ownership of HV cable schemes from 33kV to 400kV — route proving, civils, ducting, cable pulling, jointing, testing, energisation and handover.

You will:

Take ownership of one live scheme — a 132kV cable diversion and reinstallation in South East England, four new 132kV circuits plus additional 33kV circuits on the West Coast of Scotland, or a live 400kV installation in East Anglia
Develop and maintain the project programme, driving recovery where required
Act as principal interface to the network operator, alongside local authority, street works, highways and landowner stakeholders
Discharge CDM duties, set site safety standards and own the HSEQ position on your scheme
Administer NEC contracts, owning budget, cost forecasting and margin performance
Lead site teams, jointers, civils crews and subcontractors

Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate:

Minimum 10 years' experience as a Project Manager
Proven HV cable delivery, 132kV and above preferred (candidates with 20+ years at 33kV and a strong delivery record will also be considered)
Substation experience, including the cable-to-substation interface, terminations and energisation
Demonstrable DNO and TO knowledge — operator standards, processes, authorisation regimes and safety rules
Experience managing heavy civils alongside complex electrical transmission and distribution scope
Working knowledge of NEC forms of contract
Minimum HNC/HND in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline
CSCS card and full UK driving licence
A genuine willingness to work away where the project requires it

Highly desirable: current DNO/TO authorisations, 400kV experience, a cable jointing background, NEBOSH Construction Certificate, SMSTS, CDM Principal Designer experience, offshore or subsea cable exposure, and APM PMQ, PRINCE2 or equivalent.

If you are interested in the opportunity of a Project Manager appointment and believe you meet the illustrated criteria, apply today to join our clients' growing team delivering nationally significant network infrastructure across England & Scotland.

About us

EMBS Engineering is a dedicated talent specialist that partners with some of the UK's most prestigious, advanced, precision engineering companies within the Aerospace, Automotive / Motorsport, Nuclear, Oil & Gas, Green, Environmental and FMCG industries. We'll offer you expert support and advice throughout the process to ensure you select and secure a career-defining role.