Principal Overhead Line (OHL) Engineer

Job description

Job Description

AECOM Enterprise Capabilities is seeking for a Principal Overhead Line (OHL) Engineer to join our team in Bogota/Colombia.

The Principal Overhead Line (OHL) Engineer provides senior technical leadership and delivery capability across a broad range of transmission line projects from 132kV to 765kV.

This includes greenfield projects, asset upgrades, reconductoring, thermal uprating, foundation and structure strengthening, line cut-ins, and asset renewal schemes.

The role involves hands-on design, technical review, and interdisciplinary collaboration across project stages from concept to construction.

Key responsibilities and activities include:

• Planning, scheduling, and execution of HV transmission line projects including:

• • Prepare cost estimates, project budgets, and resource allocation plans.

  • Coordinate with project managers, clients and other stakeholders to ensure project requirements are met.

  • Coordination and technical leadership in the delivery of HV transmission line engineering and design projects/packages. 

• Developing transmission line alignments, profiles, and structure spotting using PLS-CADD.
• Performing sag-tension analysis and validating clearances in accordance with relevant standards (e.g. EN 50341, NG TS 2.04).
• Preparing and reviewing design deliverables including plan/profile drawings, stringing charts, structure schedules, and loading reports.
• Assessing tower and pole structure loading and coordinating foundation designs with geotechnical inputs.
• Leading and/or contributing to the following project types:

• • New transmission line designs (greenfield)

  • Reconductoring and sag-tension recalculations

  • Uprating and clearance improvement studies

  • Structure/pole strength assessments and retrofits

  • Foundation strengthening (e.g., pile extensions, grillage upgrades)

  • Line cut-ins, tee-offs, and route deviations

  • Tower/pole replacements and asset renewal

  • OPGW or earthwire replacement and shielding reviews

  • Participating in design reviews, QA/verification processes, and constructability assessments.

  • Supporting delivery of construction-ready drawings and material schedules.

  • Coordinating with drafting, structural, civil, electrical, and geotechnical teams for integrated design outputs.

  • Providing guidance and mentoring to junior engineers and contributing to continuous improvement through lessons learned and design innovation.

Discipline-Specific Responsibilities

Civil / Structural / Mechanical Focus:

Applicable to applicants with a civil, structural, or mechanical engineering background involved in OHL projects.

• Model towers or poles using PLS-TOWER or PLS-POLE, including strength, stability, and member capacity checks.
• Support or lead foundation assessments and designs (pad, pile, raft, grillage) in collaboration with geotechnical engineers.
• Prepare or review general arrangement drawings, connection details, fabrication drawings, and part lists.
• Assess the structural adequacy of towers/poles for reconductoring, uprating, or retrofit purposes.
• Contribute to constructability assessments including cranage, access, erection sequencing, and outage constraints.

Electrical Focus (Applicable Only to Candidates with an Electrical Engineering Background):

For applicants with an electrical engineering background who possess experience in OHL design:

• Select appropriate conductor types, earthwires, and OPGW based on system requirements and environmental factors.
• Perform insulation coordination studies, including BIL ratings, insulator string design, and strike/arcing distance assessments.
• Review electrical clearances and evaluate thermal ratings of line sections under different loading scenarios.
• Conduct shielding angle analysis, critical span evaluations, and lightning protection adequacy assessments.
• Contribute to EMF, induction, and line loss analysis using applicable software, coordinate termination and bonding interfaces with substation teams.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Structural, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering) with +8 years of relevant experience in HV (132kV+) overhead line transmission design and delivery.
• Chartered or Professional Engineer status (or working towards it) is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience delivering a range of HV OHL projects including new builds, reconductoring, uprating, and asset renewals.
• Proven ability to coordinate across disciplines and review detailed technical outputs to a high standard.
• Manage following software; PLS-CADD, PLS-TOWER / PLS-POLE, Microsoft Excel / Office.
• English language is mandatory (Oral and Written).

Preferable Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Structural, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering) with 10 years of relevant experience in HV (132kV+) overhead line transmission design and delivery
• Desirable manager of following software: AutoCAD / MicroStation, TEKLA Structures, MathCAD, SAP2000 / STAAD.Pro / SpaceGASS, LPile / AllPile / BHPile, CDEGS / HIFREQ.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Sponsorship for Colombia work authorization is not available for this position, now or in the future.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees.

Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world.

As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings.

Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management.

AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024.

Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions.

Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future.

With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact.

Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned.

Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

Required Skill Profession

Engineers