Project Lead Engineer in Cambridge

You can get further details about the nature of this opening, and what is expected from applicants, by reading the below.

Join us, be part of more. We're so much more than an energy company. We're a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. We're energisers. One team of 21,000 colleagues that's energising a greener, fairer future by creating an energy system that doesn't rely on fossil fuels, whilst living our powerful commitment to igniting positive change in our communities. Here, you can find more purpose, more passion, and more potential. That's why working here is #MoreThanACareer. We do energy differently - we do it all. We make it, store it, move it, sell it, and mend it.

Centrica Power is developing our next generation of power and storage assets, and operates our share in the UK's existing nuclear fleet, as well as Whitegate power station, our portfolio of batteries, renewable generation and gas peaking plants. Centrica has also invested into the planned Sizewell C nuclear power station, reinforcing our long-term support for the UK's low carbon energy future.

The Project Lead Engineer (Mechanical or Electrical) will lead discipline specific engineering activities across a diverse project portfolio (~1 GW) of utility-scale energy assets, including but not limited to gas peaking plants, grid-scale solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and synchronous condensers.

The role provides technical leadership from early-stage project development through FEED, detailed design, construction, commissioning, and handover. Working closely with project teams, contractors, and external stakeholders, the role ensures engineering excellence, robust governance, and compliance with Centrica Power standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements.

The Project Lead Engineer plays a key role in ensuring safe, compliant, and optimised engineering design and delivery across the portfolio with a current focus on UK & Ireland. The role can be aligned to a Centrica UK & Ireland office with travel required in UK & Ireland for team meetings and site visits. Office locations include Cork, Dublin, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, and Reading (very soon).

Role Accountabilities:

• Provide technical oversight and assurance across all project phases: development, FEED, detailed design, construction, commissioning, and handover to O&M.
• Review, coordinate, and assure discipline specific engineering deliverables produced by EPCs, OEMs, and consultants (including designs, specifications, studies, and calculations).
• Ensure compliance with discipline specific standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements, in line with Centrica Power governance.
• Identify, assess, and manage technical risks and deviations from standards, ensuring appropriate mitigation and governance.
• Lead the coordination of engineering technical interfaces between project stakeholders, including EPC contractors, OEMs, TSO/DNO representatives, and engineering consultancies, ensuring effective integration and issue resolution.
• Constructively challenge the technical design(s) to ensure optimum solution has been chosen and is being effectively delivered.
• Contribute to procurement activities, including technical evaluations, tender development, and contractor/supplier selection (EPC, OEM, consultants).
• Act as a key interface between internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and delivery certainty.
• Champion engineering best practice, continuous improvement, and lessons learned, promoting consistent and high quality engineering outcomes across the portfolio.
• Support capability development within the engineering function, including mentoring and development of project engineers and graduates.

The Person:

• Strong technical knowledge in either mechanical or electrical engineering systems associated with utility-scale energy assets (e.g. turbomachinery, balance of plant, HV/LV systems, protection & control, grid interfaces).
• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Understanding of relevant mechanical or electrical codes, standards, and legislation.
• Demonstrable experience delivering utility-scale power generation or renewable energy projects from a mechanical or electrical engineering background.
• Experience operating in a lead engineering role on complex infrastructure projects.
• Proven track record in engineering design and construction delivery within contractor or consultancy environments.
• Strong project management capability, including managing multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Effective stakeholder engagement and communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to challenge designs, assumptions, and supplier proposals.
• Proactive, solutions-focused mindset with strong risk awareness.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and professional development.

Why should you apply?

We're not a perfect place - but we're a people place. Our priority is supporting all of the different realities our people face. Life is about so much more than work. We get it. That's why we've designed our total rewards to give you the flexibility to choose what you need, when you need it, making sure that you and your family are supported not only financially, but physically and emotionally too.

If you're full of energy, fired up about sustainability, and ready to craft not only a better tomorrow, but a better you, then come and find your purpose in a team where your voice matters, your growth is non-negotiable, and your ambitions are our priority.