Job Description
Building Safety Principal Designer
London & South East
Contract | Main Contractor | Residential & Mixed-Use
Project-Based / Immediate Requirement
We are engaging a Building Safety Principal Designer on a contract basis to support live residential and mixed-use schemes for a UK main contractor operating across London and the South East.
This is a delivery-embedded role, supporting active construction projects rather than a consultancy or policy function. You will work directly with technical and site teams to manage Building Regulations compliance, reduce risk, and maintain programme certainty.
Scope of the Role
You will be responsible for:
* Operating as Building Safety Principal Designer under the Building Regulations on live projects
* Managing compliance across Parts A, B, L, M and Q
* Coordinating architectural, engineering, and subcontractor design inputs
* Managing compliance through design changes, value engineering, and late-stage revisions
* Acting as the key interface with Building Control bodies and fire authorities
* Translating regulatory requirements into practical, buildable site solutions
* Maintaining proportionate audit trails and compliance records to protect the contractor
This role suits someone comfortable making decisions under programme and commercial pressure.
What We’re Looking For
* Demonstrable experience acting in a Building Safety or Building Regulations PD capacity
* Background in a main contractor or design-and-build environment
* Strong understanding of how compliance risk develops during construction
* Confident engaging with both design teams and site management
* Comfortable challenging design assumptions when required
* Practical, delivery-focused communicator
This is not a CDM-only role and is not suited to purely academic or consultancy-only backgrounds.
Typical Contractor Backgrounds
* Design Manager or Technical Manager (contractor-side)
* Architectural Technologist or Architect with site exposure
* Building Control Surveyor with live project involvement
* Compliance or Building Safety Lead embedded within delivery teams
Contract Details
* Competitive day rate, aligned to experience
* Flexible contract duration, project-driven
* Well-run residential and mixed-use schemes
* A role where your judgement directly influences delivery and risk management
Interested?
Apply with your CV or contact us for a confidential contract discussion.