At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate and assure Principal Designer activities across major UK infrastructure projects.
- Company: Leading engineering organisation involved in significant civil engineering programmes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a chance to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a collaborative and innovative setting.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and contribute to the future of UK infrastructure.
- Qualifications: Experience in large infrastructure environments and strong coordination skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are supporting a client side engineering organisation in the appointment of a Project Engineer focused on the assurance and coordination of Principal Designer activity across one of the largest civil engineering programmes currently underway in the UK. The role sits within a Technical Services function operating at programme level, working across major civils packages, station developments, railway systems, and core business functions.
This is not a consultancy Principal Designer delivery role for a single project. The emphasis is on assuring the work of multiple Principal Designer Representatives and providing structured, evidence-led oversight of how Principal Designer duties are being discharged within the supply chain. The successful candidate will support a lead engineer responsible for Principal Designer coordination, helping to promote consistent approaches, clear reporting, and effective design-risk communication across the programme.
The scope of assurance activity includes Principal Designer Representatives supporting four major civils projects, representatives aligned to each of the programme’s key stations, and further representatives working across rail systems and corporate / enabling functions. The role requires someone comfortable operating across multiple disciplines, stakeholder groups, and contract environments.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Assuring and supporting the coordination of Principal Designer Representatives across civils, stations, systems, and core business work packages.
- Reviewing design-risk information, residual-risk registers, and evidence relating to CDM compliance during the pre-construction phase.
- Helping to develop and maintain common processes, templates, and digital reporting approaches to improve consistency and auditability of Principal Designer activities.
- Working collaboratively with engineering, technical assurance, and supply-chain teams to resolve issues and embed good practice.
- Escalating concerns where appropriate and contributing to informed, timely decision-making at programme level.
We are interested in speaking with individuals who have experience in large, complex infrastructure environments, ideally within rail or major civils. You may come from a background in CDM Principal Designer coordination, engineering assurance, design governance, or interface management, and will be comfortable operating in a client-side setting where influence, judgement, and structured analysis are important.
Experience that will be valued includes:
- Experience supporting senior engineers or lead coordinators in the delivery or assurance of CDM Principal Designer / PD coordination activities.
- Familiarity with digital CDM and design-risk management tools, and confidence working with structured data and evidence reporting.
- Exposure to multi-disciplinary design coordination on major programmes.
- Ability to interpret technical information and challenge constructively where appropriate.
- Working with CDM 2015 and design-stage risk management processes.
You do not need to have held the statutory CDM Principal Designer appointment yourself, this is a project engineering co-ordination role and formal chartered status is not essential at this stage. We are more interested in individuals with the right technical grounding, coordination experience, and appetite to develop in a programme-level assurance environment.
This role will suit someone who has moved beyond hands-on design delivery and is interested in contributing to programme-level governance, coordination, and technical assurance on a nationally significant infrastructure programme.
Project Engineer - Principal Designer Coordinator in Birmingham employer: CPR
As a leading employer in the UK infrastructure sector, we offer a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development programmes and opportunities to engage with diverse projects across major civil engineering initiatives. Join us to be part of a culture that values technical excellence and promotes a supportive atmosphere for all team members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Engineer - Principal Designer Coordinator in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and recent developments in the infrastructure sector. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially those related to project coordination and risk management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your relevant experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Engineer - Principal Designer Coordinator in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Project Engineer role. Highlight any experience in CDM coordination or working within large infrastructure projects, as this will catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit for the team. Be sure to mention your experience with design-risk management and collaboration.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their technical knowledge. If you've worked with digital CDM tools or have experience in multi-disciplinary design coordination, make sure to include that in your application!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at CPR
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of CDM regulations and design-risk management processes. Familiarise yourself with the specifics of the role, especially how Principal Designer coordination works in large infrastructure projects. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your past experiences in multi-disciplinary design coordination or engineering assurance. Think of specific examples where you've supported senior engineers or resolved complex issues. This will demonstrate your capability and how you can contribute to the team.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Come prepared with insightful questions about the programme and the team's approach to design-risk communication. This not only shows your interest but also gives you a chance to assess if the company culture aligns with your values and work style.
✨Be Collaborative
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively across different teams and stakeholders. Share examples of how you've successfully navigated challenges in a client-side setting, as this role requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others effectively.
