Main Purpose of the Role
The Principal Engineer is the organisation's highest‑level technical authority within a general or multi‑disciplinary engineering domain. The role exists to own technical integrity, design quality, and product safety across complex projects, technologies, and plant areas within the metals industry.
The role combines deep technical expertise with engineering leadership, influencing design decisions, standards, innovation, and risk management across projects and lifecycle phases—from concept and pre‑project through installation, commissioning, and operational support.
Key Responsibilities
* Technical Authority & Design Integrity
* Acts as technical authority for one core engineering discipline with working knowledge across multiple related disciplines.
* Takes ownership of design integrity and product safety, ensuring compliance with internal standards, industry codes, and statutory requirements.
* Defines, reviews, and approves engineering concepts, calculations, specifications, and critical design decisions for complex or novel solutions.
* Complex Engineering & Problem Solving
* Leads the resolution of high‑risk, complex, or non‑standard engineering issues, including those involving contractual or site‑based challenges.
* Provides expert engineering input during design reviews, safety reviews, risk assessments, and failure investigations.
* Supports projects during installation, commissioning, and site execution, including on‑site technical leadership where required.
Standards, Methods & Best Practice
* Develops, maintains, and governs standard engineering documents, specifications, design guidelines, and calculation methodologies.
* Ensures new products, systems, or novel designs meet current and emerging engineering standards and product safety expectations.
* Contributes to continuous improvement of engineering processes and tools.
Engineering Leadership & Knowledge Transfer
* Acts as a technical mentor and escalation point for Senior and Lead Engineers.
* Guides internal and external engineering partners, suppliers, and subcontractors.
* Builds and sustains technical capability through expert knowledge sharing, coaching, and lessons learned.
Project & Stakeholder Engagement
* Represents engineering with customers, suppliers, and external partners on complex technical matters.
* Negotiates and clarifies technical scope, specifications, and engineering solutions during pre‑projects and execution phases.
* Serves as Lead Engineer for large or strategically important projects, where required.
Typical Allocation of Time
* ~80%: Core engineering role (project engineering, design authority, technical leadership).
* ~20%: Expert role (standards ownership, complex problem resolution, mentoring, innovation).
Required Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities
Technical Expertise
* In‑depth mastery of one primary engineering discipline (e.g. mechanical, electrical, civil, fluids, automation).
* Working knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines relevant to metals plant and equipment.
* Strong understanding of plant‑level system integration, lifecycle engineering, and constructability.
Engineering & Project Capability
* Proven ability to lead engineering for large, complex, or multi‑disciplinary projects.
* Strong competence in design review, risk‑based decision making, and engineering judgement.
* Experience supporting site execution, installation, and commissioning activities
Professional & Behavioural Skills
* High‑level technical communication skills for both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
* Influencing without authority; respected as a recognised expert internally and externally.
* Strong judgement, integrity, and accountability for safety‑critical decisions.
Required Experience
* Significant experience in a technical engineering role within the metals or heavy industrial sector.
* Demonstrated progression through Senior Engineer level with increasing technical complexity and responsibility.
* Experience working on site assignments, secondments, or construction environments is strongly expected.
Education & Professional Requirements
* Degree in Engineering or equivalent technical qualification.
* Chartered Engineer (or equivalent professional recognition) preferred where applicable.
* Ongoing commitment to professional engineering development.
Key Measures of Success
* Technical quality and safety of delivered engineering solutions.
* Reduction of engineering risk, rework, and technical escalations.
* Strength and capability of engineering standards and practices.
* Development and up‑skilling of engineering community.