Electrical Principal Design Engineer
Location: UK Wide
Division: Infrastructure – Environment
Reports to: Design Delivery Manager
About Us
Our client is one of the UK’s leading construction businesses, delivering vital infrastructure that creates lasting value for communities. As a FTSE 250 organisation employing over 3,500 people, we offer long-term stability, technically challenging projects and genuine career development across our Infrastructure, Building and Specialist Services divisions.
Our Infrastructure – Environment Business
Following several strategic acquisitions, we are now the largest Tier 1 contractor operating in the UK Water and Environment sector, with a long-term portfolio of around £500m per year. As part of our 2030 Strategy, all engineering design capabilities have been brought together under a single business unit, providing in-house design expertise to regional teams across the UK.
Purpose of the Role
As an Electrical Principal Design Engineer, you will play a key technical leadership role within the Engineering Design team, taking ownership of discipline-specific design delivery across water and wastewater projects. This is a hands-on role requiring deep technical expertise, governance responsibility and direct involvement in complex project delivery.
You will provide technical direction, assurance and innovation across electrical design activities, ensuring compliance processes, BMS, CDM and relevant legislation. You will also support supply chain engagement, construction delivery and the ongoing development of electrical engineering capability within the business.
Key Accountabilities
* Act as technical authority and default approver for electrical design outputs, ensuring quality, compliance and assurance.
* Lead the development of efficient, buildable electrical designs balancing capital and operational expenditure.
* Provide Principal Designer support where required, ensuring CDM compliance across design activities.
* Drive innovation, value engineering and digital design within electrical engineering delivery.
* Provide technical problem-solving and governance across the full project lifecycle, from concept through to construction support.
* Undertake pre-contract technical governance and review of supplier and subcontractor design submissions.
* Champion lessons learned and continuous improvement across projects.
* Line manage and mentor Senior Electrical Engineers, supporting professional development and accreditation.
About You
Technical Expertise:
* Strong experience producing and approving electrical design packages within the water and wastewater sector.
* Expert in LV electrical design, including cable calculations, single line diagrams, earthing schematics, cable schedules and installation packs.
* Experience producing control philosophies, URS and FDS documentation aligned to client specifications.
* Competent in reviewing supplier and subcontractor electrical designs.
* Proficient in AMTECH and AutoCAD / DraftSight.
* HV and DSEAR experience desirable.
* Strong knowledge of BS7671 (18th Edition), NICEIC certification and relevant British Standards.
Experience & Qualifications:
* Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent).
* 10+ years’ experience delivering electrical design within the municipal water and wastewater sector.
* Chartered Engineer status strongly preferred (or working towards).
* Proven experience operating in a contractor or consultancy environment with commercial awareness.
* Strong understanding of QA, H&S legislation and design governance.
What We Can Offer in Return
With a secured and growing order book, our cient offers long-term career stability, technically complex projects and the opportunity to influence how design is delivered across a leading Tier 1 contractor. You’ll be part of a collaborative, high-performing design function with clear investment in people, innovation and professional development.
Our Benefits
* Generous holiday entitlement, increasing with service, plus the option to purchase additional days
* Competitive pension scheme
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Wide range of corporate discounts
* Save As You Earn share scheme
* Private medical options for salaried employees
* 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
* Paid annual membership of one relevant professional institution