Principal Electrical Design Engineer

Job Description

Role Purpose

As the Principal Electrical Design Engineer you will provide technical leadership and oversight of electrical engineering design for water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This role leads multidisciplinary teams through feasibility, outline, and detailed design stages, ensuring compliance with industry standards, client expectations, and water-company asset requirements. Your responsibilities will be to ensure the safe, efficient, and innovative design of electrical distribution, control, and power systems across treatment plants and network assets.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Design & Engineering

· Lead the electrical design of water industry assets including:

o LV and HV distribution systems

o Motor control centres (MCCs), variable speed drives (VSDs)

o Power system protection and discrimination

o ICA/SCADA interfaces (in collaboration with ICA engineers)

o Pumping station electrical systems

o Treatment works electrical infrastructure

· Produce, review, and approve design documents: single-line diagrams, cable calculations, load assessments, control philosophies, electrical schedules, and technical specifications.

· Ensure designs align with CDM, BS7671, IEC/SI standards, WIMES, and individual water-company standards.

· Carry out electrical fault level studies, protection grading, and energy efficiency analysis where required.

Project Delivery

· Act as the electrical technical lead on multi-disciplinary projects across all design stages.

· Undertake optioneering, feasibility studies, and value engineering to determine robust, cost-effective solutions.

· Provide technical input during procurement, supplier evaluations, FAT/SAT, and commissioning support.

· Coordinate with process, mechanical, civil, and ICA design teams to ensure integrated MEICA designs.

Leadership & Collaboration

· Mentor and support the development of electrical engineers and designers within the team.

· Lead design reviews, HAZOP/HAZID workshops, and client meetings.

· Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including water utility clients, contractors, and suppliers.

· Drive best practice, innovation, and continuous improvement in electrical engineering processes.

Quality, Compliance & Governance

· Ensure design outputs meet ISO 9001 quality requirements and water industry regulatory standards and client specifications

· Ensure electrical designs adhere to safety standards and good engineering practice, including compliance with:

o BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) current edition

o EN 61439 (Switchgear & Controlgear)

o WIMES specifications

o DSEAR/ATEX where applicable

· Support digital engineering development (BIM, 3D modelling, asset information delivery).

Skills & Experience Required

Essential

· Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent; Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working toward Chartership.

· Extensive experience in electrical design for water and/or wastewater treatment infrastructure.

· Strong understanding of UK water utility standards and regulatory environments.

· Proven ability to lead teams on complex multi-disciplinary design projects.

· Proficiency with electrical design software tools (Solidworks, CAD platforms).

· Strong technical writing skills and the ability to produce high-quality documentation.

Desirable

· Experience with AMP capital delivery programmes and framework delivery.

· Knowledge of ICA/controls principles and ability to collaborate effectively with ICA specialists.

· Familiarity with sustainability, energy optimisation, and low-carbon design principles.

· Experience of site inspections, electrical installation quality checks, and commissioning.

Personal Attributes

· Strong leadership and stakeholder-management skills.

· Proactive, organised, and technically curious.

· Excellent communication and decision-making ability.

· Commitment to safety, quality, and collaboration.

Typical Deliverables

· Electrical load studies, SLDs, and equipment sizing calculations.

· Cable routing layouts, cable schedules, protection and discrimination studies.

· Technical specifications, tender documentation, and scope definitions.

· FAT/SAT documentation, inspection reports, and commissioning support notes.

· Risk assessments, HAZOP input, and design review outputs

Qualifications

Additional Information

Some of our benefits include:

• Career development – from the moment you join, you’ll be supported to develop, grow your skill set and progress your career the way you want.
• Cultivate – access to our idea and innovation platform, empowering you to drive positive business change.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts – access to our leisure and shopping discounts and rewards platform.
• Employee networks – opportunity to join our organisation wide employee networks such as our Veteran’s network, Women’s network, and Young People’s network which is dedicated to supporting and retaining employees in the early stages of their careers and empowers young employees and future leaders through Continuous Professional Development (CPD), Social Value and Team Building initiatives.
• Health and Wellbeing Support – access to our employee programme which includes access to a virtual GP and Dentist, mental health support and counselling, fitness and nutrition, and financial and legal advice.
• Health Cash Plan
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Payroll Giving – the opportunity to donate regularly from your gross pay to support charities of your choice.
• Pension – you will be eligible to join our pension scheme which we will also contribute to.
• Personal Support Network – you will receive a dedicated buddy and mentor and will join an early careers community of peers that will support you forward every step of the way.
• Reward and Award Schemes – access to our long service awards and above and beyond rewards.
• Social Value – you will be encouraged to support social impact activities each year to support charities and local community organisations.

Salary Range / Charge Rate: 55-65
Salary Category: Below £75,000