Graduate Electrical, Instrumentation, Control and Automation Design Engineer

Graduate EICA Design Engineer

Bridges Electrical Engineers · Midsomer Norton, United Kingdom · Full-time · Posted 2026-10-19

Workplace: on_site

Department: Electrical Design

Description

The Role

At Bridges Electrical Engineering, we are looking for a Graduate Electrical Design Engineer to join our Design team and develop the knowledge, skills and practical experience required to become a competent Electrical Design Engineer within the water and wastewater industry.

Working alongside experienced engineers, you will receive structured training, mentoring and supervised project experience, contributing to the delivery of safe, compliant, innovative and cost-effective engineering solutions. You will gain exposure to the full project lifecycle, from initial design and technical development through to manufacturing, installation, commissioning and final handover.

This role is suited to someone who is enthusiastic about electrical engineering, keen to learn and motivated to build a long-term career within a supportive engineering environment. As your competence and experience develop, you will progressively take ownership of defined design tasks, working within established technical standards and quality procedures.

You will be encouraged to develop your technical capability, contribute ideas and work collaboratively with colleagues across the business, while progressing towards relevant professional qualifications and professional registration.

Key Responsibilities

Planning and Project Support

• Review project scopes, specifications, quotations and available survey information with guidance from experienced engineers.
• Assist in identifying missing information, design risks, technical interfaces and deviations from client requirements.
• Support the preparation and maintenance of Requests for Information (RFIs), design registers, deliverable schedules and technical queries.
• Plan and manage allocated tasks, monitoring progress against agreed deadlines and estimated hours.
• Communicate progress, constraints, potential delays and technical issues promptly to the relevant engineer or project team.
• Attend project meetings, design reviews and site visits as required.
• Assist with site-visit planning and the preparation of Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS), in accordance with company procedures.
• Maintain accurate project records and develop an understanding of project budgets, programme commitments and change control.

Electrical Design

• Assist in developing electrical, instrumentation, control and automation (EICA) designs under appropriate supervision and technical checking.
• Produce and update electrical design documentation, including single-line diagrams, load schedules, cable schedules, instrument schedules, loop and connection diagrams, network drawings, equipment layouts, kiosk general arrangements and technical data sheets.
• Undertake engineering calculations under supervision, including electrical loading, cable sizing, voltage drop, fault levels, protection coordination, containment sizing, lighting and earthing.
• Support the selection of electrical equipment and the preparation of technical specifications and procurement information.
• Work collaboratively with CAD technicians and mechanical, process, civil, commissioning and site teams to coordinate multidisciplinary design requirements.
• Apply relevant legislation, engineering standards, client specifications and company design procedures, seeking guidance where requirements are unclear.
• Participate in design, hazard and constructability reviews, recording and addressing assigned actions.
• Incorporate approved design comments and site changes into controlled documents and as-built records.
• Identify opportunities to improve design standardisation, efficiency and value for money without compromising safety, quality or compliance.
• Communicate technical information clearly and escalate issues that fall outside your level of competence or authority.

Technical Support, Research and Development

• Research manufacturers' technical information, applicable standards and engineering guidance to support design decisions.
• Provide technical information and assistance to estimating, procurement, manufacturing, installation and commissioning teams.
• Complete appropriate self-checking and quality reviews before submitting work for formal technical checking.
• Develop knowledge of water and wastewater treatment processes and associated electrical and control systems, including low-voltage (LV) distribution, motor control centres (MCCs), motors, variable speed drives, instrumentation, control systems, telemetry and industrial communications.
• Follow an agreed graduate development plan, maintaining evidence of training, learning and demonstrated competence.
• Actively seek feedback and apply lessons learned to improve the quality, accuracy and efficiency of future work.
• Work towards relevant professional qualifications and, where appropriate, professional registration.

Document Control and Technical Submissions

• Prepare engineering documents using the correct company templates, drawing borders, document numbers, revisions and status codes.
• Submit drawings and documents for checking, approval and issue in accordance with established document control procedures.
• Maintain accurate design registers, comment records, RFIs and transmittals.
• Store project information in the appropriate controlled locations, ensuring information is accurate, traceable and accessible to authorised personnel.
• Support the preparation of project handover information, operation and maintenance documentation and as-built records.
• Ensure that design changes and technical comments are incorporated into the relevant controlled documents.

Health, Safety and Information Security

• Work in accordance with Bridges' health, safety, environmental and quality procedures.
• Consider health, safety and environmental requirements throughout the design process, seeking guidance where necessary.
• Raise concerns and seek support where instructions, design requirements or site conditions appear unsafe, non-compliant or outside your competence.
• Protect confidential company, client and personal information and comply with applicable information-security requirements.
• Use approved systems, software and information-sharing methods, reporting suspicious communications, unusual device behaviour or suspected unauthorised access promptly.
• Contribute to Bridges' commitment to responsible, sustainable and continuously improving engineering practices.

At Bridges we are more than Engineers.

We are listed on the Sunday Times Top 100 Places to Work 2024.

As a team we shape and support engineering and construction for our clients who in turn touch the daily lives of millions of people across the UK. We have a large diverse team of talented Safe & Happy People, combining their strengths and ambition to bring innovation and evolution which ensures Sustainability for all stakeholders.

Across our key sectors – Water, Power, Energy and Aggregates, and supported through our regional office network supported by our manufacturing hub located in the heart of Somerset which forms part of our 60,000ft head office complex – we deliver diverse and interesting projects and programmes throughout UK infrastructure.

Our projects range in value from £5k to £15m, taking the role of Principal Contractor and Principal Designer on various schemes, and supporting our valued Tier 1 contractor clients in a subcontractor and off-site manufacturing capacity.

Requirements

Essential

• A genuine interest in electrical engineering and a commitment to developing a career in electrical design.
• A basic understanding of electrical engineering principles and a willingness to develop knowledge of electrical distribution, control, instrumentation and automation.
• An awareness of engineering drawings, technical specifications and design documentation.
• Good numeracy, analytical thinking and structured problem-solving skills.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues across different engineering disciplines.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage assigned tasks, priorities and deadlines.
• A proactive approach to learning, with the confidence to ask questions, seek guidance and respond positively to feedback.
• The ability to work collaboratively while progressively developing independence and ownership of tasks.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and progression towards professional registration.
• A willingness to travel to client locations and operational sites and to work safely in industrial and wastewater environments.

Desirable

• Experience gained through an engineering placement, apprenticeship, university project or relevant employment.
• Exposure to AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical or other computer-aided design tools.
• Familiarity with electrical calculation software, lighting design software or Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools.
• An understanding of the water and wastewater industry, industrial electrical systems or control and automation technologies.

Qualifications:

Essential

• Working towards, or holding, a relevant qualification in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Control and Instrumentation Engineering or a closely related discipline. This may include a degree, HNC, HND or equivalent qualification appropriate to the role.
• A full UK driving licence, or a commitment and practical ability to obtain one within an agreed period, subject to reasonable adjustments.
• The right to work in the UK and the ability to meet applicable project-specific security or client access requirements.

Benefits

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BRIDGES

RoSPA Gold Medal winner, Bridges - is an excellent company to work for and a great place to develop your career. Our goal is to exceed the very highest standards and ensure our people work in a culture of health, safety and well-being.

We are currently holders of the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award, which reinforces our commitment to supporting the armed forces community.

We are a family-run business with a friendly and welcoming culture, and we are dedicated to helping our employees learn, develop, and achieve success - along with us and throughout their careers.

Bridges also offers an excellent benefits package:

• Competitive salaries
• Health cash plan with Healthshield
• Standard Life Pension Scheme - 5.5% company contribution
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Employee Discount Scheme
• Bike 2 Work scheme
• Training and development opportunities
• Employee referral scheme - £1,000 if you successfully introduce someone
• Employee recognition schemes
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay

When you join us, you’ll be part of our exciting journey.

Wherever your journey begins with us, through mutual engagement, we’ll make sure you are supported and invested in. We believe in ‘team bridges’ and leadership at all levels with our guiding principles: Safe People, Happy People, Sustainable Business.

Come and be part of our team!

Bridges is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring equality and diversity within the workplace.

Apply

Apply at Bridges Electrical Engineers

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