Lead Fiber Optic Cable Engineer

Your tasks

Engineering and Technical Documentation

• Develop the design basis and functional requirements for offshore and subsea fiber optic cable systems.
• Prepare cable datasheets, technical specifications and Material Take-Offs (MTOs), including cables, joints, terminations and associated accessories.
• Define fiber type and count, optical performance requirements, cable construction, armoring, water blocking and mechanical protection requirements.
• Specify cable design requirements for the applicable water depth, environmental conditions, design life and installation method.
• Establish mechanical limits, including allowable tension, minimum bend radius and crush resistance, in coordination with cable manufacturers and installation engineers.
• Develop cable schedules and length estimates, accounting for route length, installation allowances, termination requirements and spare lengths.
• Assess optical link budgets and interfaces with terminal equipment, coordinating with telecommunications specialists where required.
• Define requirements for cable joints, termination assemblies, joint boxes, hang-offs and interfaces with offshore facilities and onshore infrastructure.

Technical Procurement and Vendor Evaluation

• Prepare technical requisitions and procurement packages for fiber optic cables and associated equipment.
• Review and comment on vendor technical proposals against project specifications and client requirements.
• Prepare Technical Bid Evaluations (TBEs), identify deviations and exclusions, and recommend technically acceptable solutions.
• Lead technical clarification meetings with vendors and support the close-out of outstanding technical matters before purchase order placement.
• Assess proposed manufacturing, delivery, testing and handling arrangements for compatibility with the project schedule and installation strategy.

Vendor Documentation and Manufacturing Follow-Up

• Review vendor documentation, including cable datasheets, construction drawings, calculations, manufacturing procedures, quality plans and Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs).
• Review qualification and type-test evidence, material certificates, factory test procedures and test reports.
• Attend vendor kick-off meetings, manufacturing progress reviews and agreed inspection and testing milestones.
• Monitor technical compliance during fabrication and coordinate resolution of deviations, concessions and non-conformances.
• Review cable delivery arrangements, drum or carousel requirements, storage conditions and handling instructions.
• Review final vendor documentation and manufacturing record books for completeness and compliance.

Factory AcceptanceTesting

• Review and agree Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) procedures, test scope and acceptance criteria.
• Attend and witness FAT and other specified manufacturing tests.
• Review optical test results, including Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) traces, attenuation and fiber continuity measurements.
• Verify compliance with specified mechanical and physical testing requirements.
• Prepare inspection reports and punch lists, and follow up on corrective actions and technical close-out.

Offshore Installation and Commissioning Support

• Review cable handling, loading, transportation, laying, pull-in, jointing, termination and testing procedures.
• Provide cable engineering input to installation analyses, including allowable tension, bend radius and equipment compatibility.
• Coordinate with installation engineers on cable protection, crossings, burial, shore approaches and interfaces with subsea and topside facilities.
• Provide technical support during offshore installation, including attendance offshore where required.
• Review pre-installation, post-lay and post-termination test results and assess any changes in optical performance.
• Support troubleshooting of cable damage, fiber faults and installation-related technical issues, including liaison with manufacturers on repairs.
• Review installation records, as-built documentation and final testing reports to support commissioning and handover.

Technical Leadership and Project Delivery

• Lead the fiber optic cable engineering scope and manage deliverables within agreed schedules and budgets.
• Prepare, check and approve technical documents within delegated technical authority.
• Ensure compliance with project requirements, applicable industry standards and quality procedures.
• Manage technical interfaces with pipeline, subsea, structural, electrical, instrumentation, telecommunications and installation teams.
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments and constructability reviews.
• Support proposals, engineering estimates and tender clarifications.
• Mentor engineers and develop internal specifications, checklists and engineering practices.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, Electrical, Electronics Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in fiber optic cable systems, including at least 5 years in a lead or senior technical role.
• Demonstrated experience with offshore or subsea fiber optic cable projects, covering engineering, procurement, manufacturing and installation support.
• Proven ability to prepare cable datasheets, specifications, MTOs and Technical Bid Evaluations.
• Sound knowledge of optical fiber characteristics, subsea cable construction, mechanical performance, joints, terminations and cable protection systems.
• Experience reviewing vendor documentation and attending manufacturing inspections and FAT.
• Practical understanding of OTDR testing, attenuation measurement, optical link budgets and interpretation of test results.
• Familiarity with offshore cable handling, installation constraints, testing and repair methods.
• Familiarity with applicable IEC and ITU-T standards and relevant offshore cable industry guidance.
• Strong technical writing, vendor coordination and multidisciplinary communication skills.
• Willingness to travel to manufacturing facilities and offshore worksites as required.
• Experience with integrated power and fiber optic cables, umbilicals or distributed fiber optic sensing systems is an advantage.