Principal EICA Engineer
Leading Engineering Consultancy | Water Sector Frameworks | Remote or Hybrid working options | Long-term Contract | Outside IR35 | Competitive Rate
The Opportunity
We're recruiting a Principal Electrical, Instrumentation, Control & Automation (EICA) Engineer to deliver high-quality engineering solutions across multiple water sector frameworks. You'll produce cost-effective, implementable designs, lead technical delivery, and take responsibility for EC&I excellence across projects.
Contract Details: Outside IR35 | Competitive rate | Remote working/home-based | Ad-hoc site visits, Factory Acceptance Tests and Manchester office attendance (2-3 times per month) | Long-term contract
MUST HAVE: Recent water sector experience, preferably client-facing. This is a principal-level role for an experienced EICA engineer with proven background in water industry. You'll produce outline electrical, instrumentation and control designs, manage subcontractor technical input, attend FATs, carry out site surveys, and ensure all designs meet specification, budget and commissioning requirements.
What You'll Be Doing
EICA Design & Technical Leadership
Produce cost-effective electrical, instrumentation and control designsDevelop outline EC&I designs that meet specification and are purchasable, installable and commissionableProduce detailed design documentation including all technical deliverablesEnsure all designs are within budget and deliver best overall outcome for the businessResponsibility for EC&I technical input across all design phasesDesign Quality & Compliance
Check own designs and those of subcontractors against specification requirementsEnsure compliance with all applicable national and international codes and standardsEnsure designs meet UK legislation, company standards and client requirementsPrepare installation scopes of workManage change control and technical decision-makingSite & Commissioning Support
Carry out surveys at site visitsAttend Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) at supplier premisesProduce FAT reports and technical assessmentsProvide construction and commissioning support as requiredResolve technical issues during installation phasesProcurement & Equipment Management
Prepare equipment and materials requisitions for EICA equipmentReview supplier quotations and produce detailed technical bid assessmentsManage supplier relationships and technical coordinationEnsure all equipment meets specification and compliance requirementsTeam & Workload Management
Allocate work and ensure delivery against planManage EICA workload and team coordinationSupport project schedules and timelinesEnsure technical quality and consistencyRisk & Compliance Management
Ensure designs support risk identification and mitigationMaintain awareness of HSE requirements and safety-critical considerationsSupport compliance with WIMES and other sector-specific standardsManage regulatory and standards complianceAbout You
Essential Qualifications & Experience
MUST HAVE: Recent water sector experience - proven, current background in water treatment, wastewater or utilities sector designMUST HAVE: Client-facing experience - comfortable engaging directly with water industry clientsDegree in relevant engineering discipline (Electrical, Electronic, or Control Engineering) - Apprenticeships with significant professional experience consideredChartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status, or clear evidence of working towards professional registrationMinimum 15+ years' EICA engineering experience in water sector or similar infrastructureExpert-level knowledge of: Electrical and control system design for water applicationsWater Industry regulatory requirements and WIMES standardsUK legislation and standards for water sector engineeringEquipment specification, selection and integrationInstallation requirements for water treatment environmentsATEX requirements for potentially explosive areasCE marking requirements (ATEX, PED, Low Voltage Directive, Machinery Directive, EMC) Strong understanding of: Design for manufacture, installation and commissioningCost management and value engineeringRisk identification, assessment and managementHSE requirements for electrical and control systemsFactory Acceptance Testing procedures and reporting Excellent communication skills - confident engaging with clients, colleagues and stakeholdersTeam leadership capability - experience allocating work and managing technical deliverySafety and compliance focused - meticulous approach to standards and regulationsHighly motivated - takes ownership of design quality and technical excellenceDesirable
Extensive water sector background - major water company or utility projectsExperience managing junior EICA engineersFamiliarity with BIM and integrated design managementKnowledge of WIMES system and water industry best practiceFactory Acceptance Testing experience and report writingExperience on framework agreements with water industry clientsThe Role in Practice
You'll work remotely, with flexible ad-hoc travel for site surveys, Factory Acceptance Tests and Manchester office meetings (2-3 times per month). You'll report to the project lead engineer or lead projects directly, managing technical delivery across multiple water sector frameworks.
This is hands-on, principal-level technical work. You'll be producing EICA designs, reviewing supplier proposals, attending FATs, supporting commissioning, and ensuring all technical delivery meets specification, budget and commissioning requirements. Your water sector expertise, design authority and client engagement skills directly impact project quality and client satisfaction.
Why This Role
You'll be working for a leading engineering consultancy on diverse water sector projects across multiple frameworks. This is professional EICA engineering at principal level, where your water industry expertise and technical authority are genuinely valued. You'll work with experienced project teams delivering to water companies and treatment operators across the UK.
